What to consider when redoing an aquascape?

[Schulks]

I have a small 50 gallon that is about 7 months old. It has some corals and only 5 fish.
But I'm adding 5 more next week.

I want to redo my aquascape to improve it and reduce aggression.

I am adding this liferock large shelf under the current rock structure.


I will add it in either of these orientations.




Long ways I will have to lift all of the aquascape.
Diagonally I have to break off a corner and will only have to lift half of the rocks.


I've read this can start another algae cycle. I used mostly live rock to start and I have this extra live rock in my sump.

Should I be good to do whatever?

 

[Schulks]

What are the odds adding this will cause this unhappy torch to die?

 

[vlangel]

What are the odds adding this will cause this unhappy torch to die?

An unhappy torch is always going to be hard to predict it's future anyway. If you move much rock to lift it so the new piece can be added, I would do a 10% water change afterwards to offset detritus being stirred up and to perhaps improve water quality.

 

[vlangel]

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Schulks]

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I'm thinking about the diagonal approach. There is much less sand on the left side because my pistol shrimp hoards it on the right side. So I can avoid mixing up the sand.

Fishies are going to go nuts when I remove half the rock :(
It must be done though!

 

[Schulks]

I might start when the lights turn off.

 

[tobster]

I might start when the lights turn off.

I changed my rockscape around and it was fine for a few weeks then algae and cyano showed up again- pretty bad actually.
Tank was about 14 months when I did.
I’m still fighting the algae a few months later.
Good luck, hope it works out for you.

 

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

I might start when the lights turn off.

I'm a quality manager, high risk is not my business, at work. It looks great as is with my opinion. But if I wasn't a good sport bettor I wouldn't have my aquarium equipment. I just added my 1000 dollar light setup from a dub. It's a gamble everything we do in this life!

 

[Spare time]

I might start when the lights turn off.

That is a bad idea. The fish will be spooked.

 

[Spare time]

Keep in mind when you remove the rock you may kick up hydrogen sulfide. Run some fresh quality activated carbon and be prepared to do a water change if need be.

 

[Schulks]

That is a bad idea. The fish will be spooked.

I was thinking of it like adding fish? You do that at lights out but I think you're right. I'll start here in a minute.

 

[Schulks]

Keep in mind when you remove the rock you may kick up hydrogen sulfide. Run some fresh quality activated carbon and be prepared to do a water change if need be.

It is a good thing my pistol stole all the sand for his side of the aquarium. I'm going for left side which has about half an inch.

THank you for the carbon idea. I'll load it up and turn it on.

 

[Schulks]

I'm a quality manager, high risk is not my business, at work. It looks great as is with my opinion. But if I wasn't a good sport bettor I wouldn't have my aquarium equipment. I just added my 1000 dollar light setup from a dub. It's a gamble everything we do in this life!

I like how it looks but I want a lot more nooks and crannies for these new fish. I think I can get away with it, hopefully!

Did you use live rock to start your setup? Mine is mostly real ocean rock so that should help out with algae problems.
(Edit: woops wrong person for response!)

But I think I need to keep an eye on my phosphate bottoming out too.

 

[Schulks]

I changed my rockscape around and it was fine for a few weeks then algae and cyano showed up again- pretty bad actually.
Tank was about 14 months when I did.
I’m still fighting the algae a few months later.
Good luck, hope it works out for you.

Did you use live rock to start your system? Most of my rock is real ocean rock so I believe that will help me.

 

[tobster]

Did you use live rock to start your system? Most of my rock is real ocean rock so I believe that will help me.

No unfortunately I did not… really wish I did at this point!
You may be good, I was just giving my experience.

 

[vlangel]

I'm thinking about the diagonal approach. There is much less sand on the left side because my pistol shrimp hoards it on the right side. So I can avoid mixing up the sand.

Fishies are going to go nuts when I remove half the rock :(
It must be done though!

It will stir up the fish while you are working in the tank but you will be surprised how quickly they go back to normal afterwards. I have ripped through my tanks many times in the 25 ish years that I have been keeping reefs and I never had it turn out badly after. Our tanks are very resilient when they are in good shape before we tackle something like this. It sounds like the diagonal plan is less disruptive and probably the best approach.