Tank Reset - Starting Over after Failing

[Pennywise the Salty Guy]

Hi everyone.

A few years ago pieced together an elaborate set up from some local used deals. About a 40g breeder and all the usual equipment.

The short story is, I bought my first fish from petco, which I was LATER informed by an honest staff member was part of a ick outbreak, and probably didn’t wait long enough for my tank to be ready from cycling. It crashed hard.

The tank was emptied and has sat dry since. With lessons learned, I’m considering starting again after finally getting over my disappointment from failing.

TLDR: How should I go about cleaning my tank, equipment, sump, rocks to start with a fresh tank and begin cycling?

Or maybe I should sell the overwhelming set up and start with a smaller, simpler tank?

Thank you.

 

[sfin52]

Hi everyone.

A few years ago pieced together an elaborate set up from some local used deals. About a 40g breeder and all the usual equipment.

The short story is, I bought my first fish from petco, which I was LATER informed by an honest staff member was part of a ick outbreak, and probably didn’t wait long enough for my tank to be ready from cycling. It crashed hard.

The tank was emptied and has sat dry since. With lessons learned, I’m considering starting again after finally getting over my disappointment from failing.

TLDR: How should I go about cleaning my tank, equipment, sump, rocks to start with a fresh tank and begin cycling?

Or maybe I should sell the overwhelming set up and start with a smaller, simpler tank?

Thank you.

I would ditch the sand and get new

You could soak the rocks and give them a good scrub ( becareful if you had palys in the last tank.)

Equipment i would snack in citric acid and give a good rinse.

I would get some live rock to seed the tank with.

 

[Pennywise the Salty Guy]

I would ditch the sand and get new

You could soak the rocks and give them a good scrub ( becareful if you had palys in the last tank.)

Equipment i would snack in citric acid and give a good rinse.

I would get some live rock to seed the tank with.

Do you think there is any reason to try to get the tank and sump 100% clean? Or just add the water again when the equipment, rock and fresh sand is ready?

 

[RocketEngineer]

Honestly, A 40 is a decent size starter setup. You just may need help getting it going.

Since it’s dry, you COULD make a custom aquascape outside the tank. I did that on my 100.

What kind of overflow is there? This will determine my suggested next step.