I am just not finding the time for maintenance on my reef tank. I have hair algae I just can not get rid of I have scrubbed my rocks move them from display to sump, changed my lights, cut back light times, changed my ro filters. Just no luck. I dont want to get out of the hobby people love to come over and see the tank. I just can seem to get rid of the problem. No I do not have a refugium. Would just like to tame it down for a while and go with fish only for a while. I have a reef ready tank 125 with corner over flows a sump with a skimmer. Just dont know of the best way to go about it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Tom
Change my reef to fish only
- Thread starter tenderuc
- Start date
jjk_reef00
New member
Set it up the same way you would a reef. High flow, big skimmer. The only difference is you can keep the salinity lower, and you don't have to maintain alk, mg, and calc.
Ok the reef is still up and running would you suggest to tear everything down and start all over, or should I just get rid of the corals and fish. My tank has a few dead spots from flow and the sand has a few areas caked with thick brown algea. It just seems as thou it would be easier to tear down and start all over. New sand new live rock. The tank has been up and running for about 3 years. Lost my dad to cancer recently and spending time with him befor he died just lost interest in the tank and can not get it back under control. Thanks Tom
reef_enthusiast
Member
Tom, I'm truly sorry to hear about your loss. Hang in there.
I know what you are going through cause I went through the same thing last year from Aug to Nov. By the time they finally figured out it was cancer it was too late and just spent my father's remaining time by his side. I too let me tank (FOWLR) go neglected and lost interest and just didn't want to do anything. I was even contemplating to just tear it down. I do have to admit that I'm glad I didn't tear down the tank. It did take 5 months to finally get things under control with the tank.
You did mention that you don't want to get out and people love to come over and see the tank. I'm sure one of those people were your father. I know it hurts right now (5 months out and still hurts for me) not having him here but after some time you will start to think of the happy memories which will bring a smile to your face. Hopefully some of those memories were spending time together looking at the tank.
If you are thinking about switching over to FOWLR, jkk_reef is right. You could also cut back on lighting. The skimmer is something you may have to address 'cause with a FO it means more feedings and more waste.
As for getting things under control...
What are your nitrate and phosphate levels?
Are you running carbon? GFO?
How often are you doing water changes?
I know what you are going through cause I went through the same thing last year from Aug to Nov. By the time they finally figured out it was cancer it was too late and just spent my father's remaining time by his side. I too let me tank (FOWLR) go neglected and lost interest and just didn't want to do anything. I was even contemplating to just tear it down. I do have to admit that I'm glad I didn't tear down the tank. It did take 5 months to finally get things under control with the tank.
You did mention that you don't want to get out and people love to come over and see the tank. I'm sure one of those people were your father. I know it hurts right now (5 months out and still hurts for me) not having him here but after some time you will start to think of the happy memories which will bring a smile to your face. Hopefully some of those memories were spending time together looking at the tank.
If you are thinking about switching over to FOWLR, jkk_reef is right. You could also cut back on lighting. The skimmer is something you may have to address 'cause with a FO it means more feedings and more waste.
As for getting things under control...
What are your nitrate and phosphate levels?
Are you running carbon? GFO?
How often are you doing water changes?
jjk_reef00
New member
You can also try dosing vodka or other carbon source. It takes some time to ramp up to the proper dosage but it does help.
I use carbon off and on I need to get some more I am out at the moment. My test kits are out of date but they are showing nitrates at about 10 and phosphates at 1.0. I am making water for a change here this week. I am going to get updated test kits. Never used GFO I do not have a reactor. Do not have a refugium either. Thanks again for all the help sorry have not got back sooner. Reef Enthusiast yes you do know the feeling and sorry for your lose too. Well I am working on a few things we will se how it works out.. Thanks all. Tom
