Reviving neglected tank

[turbofish]

Hi guys, I have a 5 year old, 12g cube with 10g sump, that has been neglected the last two years. Parameters are kinda insane (double test via hanna checkers):

Dkh 15.7 (though my ro water read 4.5 so maybe it’s off)
No3 50+
P .35ppm
Salinity 1.024

The tank got neglected 2 years ago go when the cats ate my fish and the I got hit with brown jelly. At the same time I shut down my other tank and moved my two clowns into this one. We were supposed to move over the next couple weeks so I figured I’d keep the tank going until the move when I could setup a new tank.

I stopped cleaning the glass so the cats (newly adopted barn cats) would stop trying to get in. I also duck taped egg crate to the top. The only maintenance has been keeping the ato filled and auto feeder working. Over the last 2 years I’ve lost all my cleanup crew including the urchin, and most of my coral - a leather and mushroom surprisingly survived. Unfortunately the devil cats did break in and get one of the clownfish but the other is still kicking.

So, finally we are ready to move, I’ve got the new tank ordered - a 40g long IM aio which I’m pretty excited for. I’m building a cat proof canopy with pc fans and putting the tank in a location that cats will not be able to get to.

I am looking to revive the tank alittle before transferring over to the new system. Any suggestions? If I disturb the sanded will I crash the tank? Is it cleanable?

I should say algae growth is minimal on the rock work, there’s alittle hair algae and a few bits of bubble aglae but far less then when I was caring for the tank. The mushroom is looking rough but the leather is happy.

 

[Sam7]

photos

 

[davidm777]

I was just gonna say. Am I morbid for wanting to see a photo?

 

[Reef Jedi]

Photos help a lot so we can visually see what state it’s in and I’m super happy to help with some good experienced advice!

 

[Subsea]

Hi guys, I have a 5 year old, 12g cube with 10g sump, that has been neglected the last two years. Parameters are kinda insane (double test via hanna checkers):

Dkh 15.7 (though my ro water read 4.5 so maybe it’s off)
No3 50+
P .35ppm
Salinity 1.024

The tank got neglected 2 years ago go when the cats ate my fish and the I got hit with brown jelly. At the same time I shut down my other tank and moved my two clowns into this one. We were supposed to move over the next couple weeks so I figured I’d keep the tank going until the move when I could setup a new tank.

I stopped cleaning the glass so the cats (newly adopted barn cats) would stop trying to get in. I also duck taped egg crate to the top. The only maintenance has been keeping the ato filled and auto feeder working. Over the last 2 years I’ve lost all my cleanup crew including the urchin, and most of my coral - a leather and mushroom surprisingly survived. Unfortunately the devil cats did break in and get one of the clownfish but the other is still kicking.

So, finally we are ready to move, I’ve got the new tank ordered - a 40g long IM aio which I’m pretty excited for. I’m building a cat proof canopy with pc fans and putting the tank in a location that cats will not be able to get to.

I am looking to revive the tank alittle before transferring over to the new system. Any suggestions? If I disturb the sanded will I crash the tank? Is it cleanable?

I should say algae growth is minimal on the rock work, there’s alittle hair algae and a few bits of bubble aglae but far less then when I was caring for the tank. The mushroom is looking rough but the leather is happy.

“I am looking to revive the tank alittle before transferring over to the new system. Any suggestions? If I disturb the sanded will I crash the tank? Is it cleanable?“

Why try to salvage “infested substrate”? Get diver collected live sand for your new tank. Also consider, one diver collected premium live rock to inoculate your system. I would also soak your existing rock in a 10% solution of 3% peroxide for 10 minutes.

 

[turbofish]

Here’s a picture. Hard to see as I want to keep the algae on the glass so the cats dont go after the fish.

subsea, the reason I’ve been keeping the tank going rather than shutting it down and starting fresh is I’ve really got no bad infestations. No aptasia, no bad algae (I don’t concider hair algae or bubble algae bad), no cyano or other stuff and it’s actually pretty stable. I’m sure it’s full of good bacteria and what not. I’d rather refresh a 5 year old dirty tank than start from scratch.

 

[LOZReefer]

Welcome back! Get you a lid made for the cat situation! My cat could care less about my tanks but I still made acrylic lids for them just in case.

 

[Jared Bryant]

Start doing water changes and cut the lights down to bare minimum to a couple hours at low light a day. Just getting the light off of it will get rid of the algae. After the uglies die off you can start a normal maintenance routine with sand cleaning etc.

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

At this point I would do a rip clean. Make up a big batch of saltwater. Keep enough to the side to do a 100% water change. Grt yourself 2 buckets and fill both partway with water. Take everything out and scrub it in the first bucket then put it in the 2nd bucket. Once youve scrubbed the rock, siphon the water out, scoop the sand out and rinse it in saltwater. Then put everything back together. Ime you dont need to worry about disrupting the cycle or anything.