New to me tank! 2yrs old tank I took over

[konatown]

So I’m pretty new to the hobby. Did an innovative marine 30 long for a few months, kept fish happy and got corals to grow. I just got a 2 year old Red Sea reefer 250 and I’m looking for advice. Here’s what I got

-40-50 lbs 2 year old rock. Has some aptasia
-large bag of bio pellets
-large clump of cheato
-2 ai hydra 26 hd

I threw out the sand and added 40 lb of Fiji pink live sand. With all of the new sand, but existing rock and bio balls, I feel like I might have a mini cycle maybe? Should I run lights to keep corals alive or will I be seeing algae? I am getting a good skimmer tomorrow.

Basically, what should I expect to happen with that much live rock and bio media, while using new sand. And what should I do to the aptasia. I see a dozen or two. Superglue worked for me in the past. Thanks!

 

[pscoma17]

Congrats on tank for aptasia I would use berghia nudibranch long has you don't have any wrasse in the tank and for you adding the sand I can't really say I figure there would be small cycle until bacteria balanced out

 

[konatown]

Congrats on tank for aptasia I would use berghia nudibranch long has you don't have any wrasse in the tank and for you adding the sand I can't really say I figure there would be small cycle until bacteria balanced out

Thanks. I do have a 6 line. Also a filefish and two peppermints who aren’t doing their job lol.
I’ll be keeping an eye on any ammonia spike

 

[pscoma17]

Lol I have been there I had aptasia for long time I tried the file fish it didn't work for me. peppermint shrimp are hit and miss. I ended up with a copperband it keeps it out of display but still have aptasia in overflow and sump. it don't bother me as long as it stays there

 

[parkwaytrash]

I moved some older rock from my 50 to my new 125, it had a lil bit of aptasia. So before I start moving the coral and fish into new tank, I killed the aptasia with kalk paste!

So I’m pretty new to the hobby. Did an innovative marine 30 long for a few months, kept fish happy and got corals to grow. I just got a 2 year old Red Sea reefer 250 and I’m looking for advice. Here’s what I got

-40-50 lbs 2 year old rock. Has some aptasia
-large bag of bio pellets
-large clump of cheato
-2 ai hydra 26 hd

I threw out the sand and added 40 lb of Fiji pink live sand. With all of the new sand, but existing rock and bio balls, I feel like I might have a mini cycle maybe? Should I run lights to keep corals alive or will I be seeing algae? I am getting a good skimmer tomorrow.

Basically, what should I expect to happen with that much live rock and bio media, while using new sand. And what should I do to the aptasia. I see a dozen or two. Superglue worked for me in the past. Thank

 

[PeterC99]

I bought and moved a Red Sea Reefer 170 to my home from an someone an hour away and experienced many of the things you have.

Great move on getting new live sand - wish I did that. I did experience a couple of mini cycles after the transfer and had aptasia to.

Aquarium really started to take off and settle PO4 & NO3 after I started a Refugium with chaeto. Now I will not run an aquarium without one.

For the aptasia, I got a copper band. Aptasia gone and now have a beautiful, interesting fish in my aquarium.

 

[konatown]

I bought and moved a Red Sea Reefer 170 to my home from an someone an hour away and experienced many of the things you have.

Great move on getting new live sand - wish I did that. I did experience a couple of mini cycles after the transfer and had aptasia to.

Aquarium really started to take off and settle PO4 & NO3 after I started a Refugium with chaeto. Now I will not run an aquarium without one.

For the aptasia, I got a copper band. Aptasia gone and now have a beautiful, interesting fish in my aquarium.

Thanks! Does copper band go after any corals?

 

[PeterC99]

Thanks! Does copper band go after any corals?

Copperbands are usually reef safe. Did have one once that started nibbling at a torch. Quickly caught him and sold him and then got another.

If you do go the copperband route, make sure you see the copperband eating at LFS before buying.