Seeding upgrade

[DJF]

Planning my upgrade. I’ve settled in on not reusing my LR to seed. My question is if I will get enough beneficial bacteria to seed if I use water from the water column of my existing set up (est 2016) filtered thru a diatom filter (1micron).

I’d rather do a reset than reintroduce pests (mainly asterinas) but do want to leverage 10+ years of biome if possible.

The other thought would be to seed with some rock but keep it in mesh so uglies can’t escape.

 

[Uncle99]

Water carries very little bacteria.
Will not help at all.
Only rock and hard surfaces transfer.
Sorry.

 

[JTP424]

You can stick some fresh media in your current tank and just keep it from getting "infested"
A bag of Seachem or something like that. Let it cook for a bit then you can transfer it, easier to pick off pests. Or one of those bricks!

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Just add a harlequin shrimp or two until the asterinas are eliminated from the rock and reuse it. No chemicals and no problem. If you don't want the live rock send ot to me with the asterinas hahaha. I love diversity in my aquarium.

 

[DJF]

Thanks for the replies!

Water carries very little bacteria.
Will not help at all.
Only rock and hard surfaces transfer.
Sorry.

That was my fear.

You can stick some fresh media in your current tank and just keep it from getting "infested"
A bag of Seachem or something like that. Let it cook for a bit then you can transfer it, easier to pick off pests. Or one of those bricks!

Good call. Im I’ll try this

Just add a harlequin shrimp or two until the asterinas are eliminated from the rock and reuse it. No chemicals and no problem. If you don't want the live rock send ot to me with the asterinas hahaha. I love diversity in my aquarium.

Got one. He’s great but has made only a small dent. Part of it is he’s in 1 70g of 3 plumbed together and I try to siphon them out of the other two. I don’t mind the asterinas but just thinking a clean reset may be best.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

If you are anywhere near Frank he might swap rock with you. Live rock is still the best way to run a reef tank hands down!

@fishguy242