Hello everyone.

[lllesley]

We moved 2 x established tanks, first move we kept and reused the sand (advised by seller for loss of bacteria)
Worse thing we ever did. Leached phos and nitrates and **** forever.
2nd move ditched the sand started with all new and it worked 100%. I would definatley start with new sand, no questions.
I am not talking about small moves either, first one was a 240g over 7 hours way, we had a small mini cycle for about 10 days but lost no livestock, treated with prime and stability for the 10 days.
Second move had no cycle what so ever once again lost no live stock.

 

[stiggyallen]

We moved 2 x established tanks, first move we kept and reused the sand (advised by seller for loss of bacteria)
Worse thing we ever did. Leached phos and nitrates and **** forever.
2nd move ditched the sand started with all new and it worked 100%. I would definatley start with new sand, no questions.
I am not talking about small moves either, first one was a 240g over 7 hours way, we had a small mini cycle for about 10 days but lost no livestock, treated with prime and stability for the 10 days.
Second move had no cycle what so ever once again lost no live stock.

Thanks for your reply, I will 100% be changing the substrate now.
Can I just ask how you cleaned the sand before adding?
I'm guessing you washed it in tank water?

 

[lllesley]

Thanks for your reply, I will 100% be changing the substrate now.
Can I just ask how you cleaned the sand before adding?
I'm guessing you washed it in tank water?

We didn't clean the new sand. Straight from bag to tank. We experienced an ever so slight diatom outbreak for about a week. It only took 3 weeks to see life in it, assuming off the live rock. I would preserve the live rock as best you can, don't scrub it, try to keep wet as much as possible. Rocks are something you can change later , sand bed not so easy. Hope this helps & good luck. If there is anything else I can help you with please just ask

 

[stiggyallen]

Thanks I didn't realise you could put it in straight out of the bag lol.
Going off the subject a bit, the tank itself has a blue background stuck to the inside of the tank. Is there anything I could get to change it to black?
And if there is would you know how I would fit it?

 

[ericarenee]

Thanks I didn't realise you could put it in straight out of the bag lol.
Going off the subject a bit, the tank itself has a blue background stuck to the inside of the tank. Is there anything I could get to change it to black?
And if there is would you know how I would fit it?

on the inside of the tank... I would test in a corner and see if it can be scraped off with a razor blade.(for glass tank) You can use a adhesive remove to remove any left over glue.. But be sure to not let it get on the silicone around the seams of the tank. So Razor blade and water would be best . never seen one put on the inside of the tank.. Black painted on back of tank is best

 

[firebirdude]

For future reference anyone reading this.

With a small tank like this, it's far more beneficial to just move the tank with the sand in place. Use as many tubs as you'll need for all the live rock, coral/livestock. Siphon the water out of the tank and into the storage tubs you're going to use, without disturbing the sand bed. Leave a very minimal amount of water. Seriously, 1/4" is plenty. Get some strong guys to move the tank to its new location and then start pumping the water back in, again, without disturbing the sandbed. Run it against the glass so it trickles down until you've got enough water in that you can just let er eat. Reassemble rock work and add livestock. Done and done.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

on the inside of the tank... I would test in a corner and see if it can be scraped off with a razor blade.(for glass tank) You can use a adhesive remove to remove any left over glue.. But be sure to not let it get on the silicone around the seams of the tank. So Razor blade and water would be best . never seen one put on the inside of the tank.. Black painted on back of tank is best

I've always seen them on the back of the tank, never inside. Can't imagine why someone would put it inside.

 

[firebirdude]

I've always seen them on the back of the tank, never inside. Can't imagine why someone would put it inside.

:ape:

 

[stiggyallen]

I've always seen them on the back of the tank, never inside. Can't imagine why someone would put it inside.

I thought it sounded strange too. I'll have a better idea when I get it to my house.
What do most of you guys go for? Black?

 

[firebirdude]

Mine's black. Black or a darker blue would be nice.

 

[CStrickland]

Good call going with new sand, it's really hard to keep nutrients low with big poopers in a little tank. No reason to use the sand that's been soaking all that up. 3 tangs and an eel is a super high bioload, is it about 50 gallons? Before you add the new dry sand you should rinse the dust off it. Just swirl it around in a bucket of hose water several times until the water runs clear, then rinse it in the water you'll use for your tank (hopefully rodi).

I feel bad raining on your parade, but I'm a little worried about this set up. Those fish choices are a sign that the previous owner didn't know what they were doing. Putting the background on the inside of the tank is ... the laughing monkey is right. If they did a bad a job plumbing the sump and choosing equipment you might wind up having to do a lot of work to get it in working order. Used stuff can be a great deal if you buy smart, but it can go really really bad too.

Idk, maybe this is someone you know and trust, or maybe it's free. But if it's a craigslist type thing, the fish, background, and overall mystery, are serious red flags. If you want to say what your paying, and make up a list of questions to ask / things to look for before you hand over any $, I'm sure everybody here would be glad to help <3

 

[stiggyallen]

Good call going with new sand, it's really hard to keep nutrients low with big poopers in a little tank. No reason to use the sand that's been soaking all that up. 3 tangs and an eel is a super high bioload, is it about 50 gallons? Before you add the new dry sand you should rinse the dust off it. Just swirl it around in a bucket of hose water several times until the water runs clear, then rinse it in the water you'll use for your tank (hopefully rodi).



I feel bad raining on your parade, but I'm a little worried about this set up. Those fish choices are a sign that the previous owner didn't know what they were doing. Putting the background on the inside of the tank is ... the laughing monkey is right. If they did a bad a job plumbing the sump and choosing equipment you might wind up having to do a lot of work to get it in working order. Used stuff can be a great deal if you buy smart, but it can go really really bad too.



Idk, maybe this is someone you know and trust, or maybe it's free. But if it's a craigslist type thing, the fish, background, and overall mystery, are serious red flags. If you want to say what your paying, and make up a list of questions to ask / things to look for before you hand over any $, I'm sure everybody here would be glad to help <3

I don't think it's a background that's stuck to the inside, I just asked him if it can be changed and he said no it's stuck to the tank?
I understand fully were you're coming from with the bad feelings, and I agree the tank mates are unsuitable. But he didn't build the tank, he bought it from someone else. And the tank is 77gal, that's not including the sump. But I'm definitely re homing the fish, I completely agree that they are unsuitable and I will be changing it and doing things the right way. That's why I signed up.
I really appreciate all of your comments.

 

[firebirdude]

Probably means the back is painted.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I thought it sounded strange too. I'll have a better idea when I get it to my house.
What do most of you guys go for? Black?

Either black or dark blue. Mine currently is dark blue.

 

[stiggyallen]

Probably means the back is painted.

No it's not painted. Have any of you guys ever seen an aquarium with a sheet of cobalt blue acrylic inside the tank, hiding the overflow pipe work etc?

 

[ericarenee]

No it's not painted. Have any of you guys ever seen an aquarium with a sheet of cobalt blue acrylic inside the tank, hiding the overflow pipe work etc?

The back of our 72 gallon acrylic BAY Front Planted freshwater has a Blue Back .

But would need to see a image to know what you are talking about

 

[stiggyallen]

the back of our 72 gallon acrylic bay front planted freshwater has a blue back .



But would need to see a image to know what you are talking about

 

[stiggyallen]

That's the best pic ive got at the moment I'm afraid. I know it's hard to tell. I should know more tomorrow when I see my mate at work.

 

[Sk8r]

x2 on removing the sand. You can, if you start with new (washed!!!!!) sand, expect a 5 day cycle because of that live rock. I'd keep the fish in qt to be absolutely sure the previous owner didn't have an ich disaster he's not telling you about. If nothing's shown up in 4 weeks, they're clean---and by that time your tank, with just some crabs and snails, fed a little, will be ready to take the fish.

I know it's extra trouble to go on qt'ing, but this way you're set up clean and sure.

 

[ericarenee]

That's the best pic ive got at the moment I'm afraid. I know it's hard to tell. I should know more tomorrow when I see my mate at work.

yea with that pic its very hard to tell about a void behind the blue. But from the pic it does look like its a solid color piece of acrylic... need a top down view from behind the lights where the plumbing is .