Replace LR Without Cycling?

Bongo Shrimp · Jun 16, 2010

So I have really let my lagoon tank go, algae wise and now I think I need to do something about it. There is too much of the junk for manual removal or anything else.

Here are the two options I have:

1. Try to replace the LR without removing the livestock. Find some cured LR and hope and pray to the reef gods that I don't cycle again. (also add a no-cycle chemical to help avoid cycling)

2. Remove all the livestock (I really don't want to do that) and drain the tank, take out all the LR, get new LR and let it cycle or not cycle- whatever.

The livestock I would need to take out includes:
3 Seahorses
5+ Bongo Shrimp
1 Yashia goby (will hide in the sand)
1 Spotted Mandarin
1 Tiny Randall's Pistol Shrimp (will most likely be lost)
2 Electric Flame Scallops
1 Sand Sifting Starfish
Some soft coral and sponges.

I'd like to go with option one if at all possible because the livestock is mostly stuff that I won't be able to get out or stuff that is very delicate. I'd also have to find somewhere to put the stuff but that's easy if it absolutely becomes necessary.

So do you think I could go with option #1?

gilmour01 · Jun 16, 2010

why not cycle the new rock in a separate container, then add it to the system.

Bongo Shrimp · Jun 16, 2010

Yeah, not a bad idea there, never thought of it...

kingfisherfleshy · Jun 17, 2010

I have probably had three complete crashes in my 8 year reefing career. Two were algae (one macro, one micro) related...and the tank never crashed, it just looked crappy. The other was an anemone...and that was my fault. This same tank is running to this day and now looking great. I got out all the buckets and coolers in the house, and I scrubbed 135# of LR with a toothbrush...by MYSELF! Trust me...you can do it. And when its done you will love everything in there twice as much.

wld1783 · Jun 19, 2010

I would just replace it with Marco Rock. I culture it for local CMAS members and have yet to have a cycle. I add around 100-200LBS of it to my sump/refug at a time here is a pic of my tank.

Bill