Aquascaping

[jayblock]

Need Suggestions. My tank has been established with live rock for over 7 yrs. i am going to be removing my live rock and re aquascaping. my process was going to be drain 75% of my water into buckets and large pail. put live rock in there while doing the rockwork. my question i have is would you suggest swishing around the rock in the salt water to remove some stuff from the rock or could that be harmful. I was planning on putting the water back into the tank and i was concerned it may release phosphates and other unwanted stuff. Thoughts and comments.

Jay

 

[DeepSeaBeauti]

If you have a sand bed just moving the rock can and will cause a cycle from all the nasty stuff you will stir up. Best bet is to remove the rock rinse with the drained water and then fill the tank with fresh salt water, Do not put the old water back in. Just my 2 cents.


Will

 

[anthonys51]

i would use the same water and make some new one too. basically do a partial water change. stirring up detritus from the rock. imo wouldn't cause a new cycle because your not adding anything to your tank it was already there. also by using the same water, you wont risk killing the bacteria on the rock. change in temp, ph alk salinity can kill some bacteria off. i would have 2 buckets filled with water from your tank. one to store and one to shake of the rock before putting it back into the tank.

 

[MikeC120]

Do you have sand if so how much or how deep?

1.) I would drain 1/3 of the water out and put in buckets and definitely swish around the rock in these buckets to remove as much detritus as possible.

2.) If you have a shallow sandbed. I would siphon the sand to remove as much detritus as possible along with another 1/3 of water.

3.) Re-Aquascape (keeping rock orientation the same i.e. TOP & BOTTOM)

4.) Top off with new salt water.

5.) Run skimmer socks for a day or two and maybe carbon.

 

[Long Island Andy]

do you have sand if so how much or how deep?

1.) i would drain 1/3 of the water out and put in buckets and definitely swish around the rock in these buckets to remove as much detritus as possible.

2.) if you have a shallow sandbed. I would siphon the sand to remove as much detritus as possible along with another 1/3 of water.

3.) re-aquascape (keeping rock orientation the same i.e. Top & bottom)

4.) top off with new salt water.

5.) run skimmer socks for a day or two and maybe carbon.

+1

 

[Hwobarg]

Do you have sand if so how much or how deep?

1.) I would drain 1/3 of the water out and put in buckets and definitely swish around the rock in these buckets to remove as much detritus as possible.

2.) If you have a shallow sandbed. I would siphon the sand to remove as much detritus as possible along with another 1/3 of water.

3.) Re-Aquascape (keeping rock orientation the same i.e. TOP & BOTTOM)

4.) Top off with new salt water.

5.) Run skimmer socks for a day or two and maybe carbon.

+1. I have done this before. I would rins the old rock in some salt water to just clear it of any ditritus. I would not worry about a second cycle unless your gonna have die off. If you keep it all in salt water, close to temp, and do it all pretty fast nothing should be an issue.

I would buy a big brute can and throw a pump in it. This way you can take your time and it will help rins the rock. Toss the drained water. It's gonna be nasty