Switching aquascape

[reynonme]

I have a nano that I purchased a few years ago and when I did I rushed the aquascape out of excitement and I hate it. I would like to build something out of dry rock and cycle it in a plastic tub for a few months and then switch the rocks out. I only have a few corals on the current setup that I could remove, and I’ll have to get an anemone off but can anyone think of any reason this wouldn’t work? I started running biospheres in the sump to retain some of the same bacteria.

 

[edsbeaker]

I don’t see why this wouldn’t work, but you will probably go through an ugly stage if you are going to use dry rock.

You may want to consider adding the new rock into the tank while keeping as much of the old rock as possible in there temporarily. The new rock will get seeded and mature much faster that way.

One other thing to consider is the sand. If you disturb it too much you will unleash a bunch of detritus and nasties that may affect your water quality, so be careful with that.

 

[Dburr1014]

I have a nano that I purchased a few years ago and when I did I rushed the aquascape out of excitement and I hate it. I would like to build something out of dry rock and cycle it in a plastic tub for a few months and then switch the rocks out. I only have a few corals on the current setup that I could remove, and I’ll have to get an anemone off but can anyone think of any reason this wouldn’t work? I started running biospheres in the sump to retain some of the same bacteria.

Let's see a Pic!

 

[reynonme]

Let's see a Pic!

Here’s the current setup.

 

[reynonme]

I don’t see why this wouldn’t work, but you will probably go through an ugly stage if you are going to use dry rock.

You may want to consider adding the new rock into the tank while keeping as much of the old rock as possible in there temporarily. The new rock will get seeded and mature much faster that way.

One other thing to consider is the sand. If you disturb it too much you will unleash a bunch of detritus and nasties that may affect your water quality, so be careful with that.

I was hoping the biospheres would help but I do have 1 large rock that I’m wanting to keep in. In terms of the sand the structure is sitting on top so I’m going to be very careful about not disturbing the sand bed too much.

 

[Dburr1014]

I was hoping the biospheres would help but I do have 1 large rock that I’m wanting to keep in. In terms of the sand the structure is sitting on top so I’m going to be very careful about not disturbing the sand bed too much.

Build the new scape. If you have an old tank sitting around dump it in there with bac or some tank sand for a month. Done.

If you don't have an extra tank, throw it in the sump for a month. If you don't have room there, stick it in the tank and remove some of the old rock but not all. It will seed plenty fast.

Your sand *looks clean. If not, clean it gently a week or two leading up to the switch and no worries.

 

[reynonme]

Build the new scape. If you have an old tank sitting around dump it in there with bac or some tank sand for a month. Done.

If you don't have an extra tank, throw it in the sump for a month. If you don't have room there, stick it in the tank and remove some of the old rock but not all. It will seed plenty fast.

Your sand *looks clean. If not, clean it gently a week or two leading up to the switch and no worries.

Thanks. The plan was to just use a tub with a heater and wave maker to move the water.