How to properly clean/sterilize a tank and piping?

nazerine

New member
Hey guys,

I don't post very often seeking help but this subject seems like a good one for a discussion.

My tank became over ran by bryopsis in a matter of a month, and no matter what I did I could not stop it. You pick a piece off, it spreads. I tried going to 2200mag for a few weeks, died off a little but came back. Ran phosban through out. Replaced ro/di system with all new higher end 6-stage system and 0 tds, water changes on schedule with no abatement in sight. I spent hours slaving over the tank trying mechanical removal after chemical didn't work. No phosphate tests registered readable on my water. All params within spec. The tank is a 28g nanocube drilled with a herbie drain and sump, running a vertex in-80 skimmer. Total volume about 36g

:deadhorse:

Ok, so I decided to tap out. No way this rock is ever going to be cured of this filthy evil algae!!! I already had a second tank running, with no bryopsis. So I've moved all my fish, and most of the inverts over to the other tank.

Tonight I scored a mega deal and picked up about 40 pounds of cured live rock for $50.

My fear: Draining and emptying the nanocube to start fresh, somehow the bryopsis remains and infects the new rock.

How can I be sure the system will be free of this nuisance? I have pondered running small amount of bleach and fresh water through it for a day. Maybe vinegar and water with heaters on high? Maybe I should just break everything down and clean it with hot water?

What do you guys think?

:beer:
 
to make it good and proper sterile, bleach, chlorine, lots of peroxide etc..... peroxide is probably the safest (for the fish when youre done... peroxide is very nasty stuff, if in high concentrations will dissolve pretty much any organic material, but it breaks down really fast into water and oxygen - no nasty residue like bleach or chlorine)


but in reality, I wouldnt bother.

any live rock you introduce has a high probability of bringing algal spores with it.....
 
I'm ok with the new live rock bringing in any type of algae, as long as its not bryopsis. It literally roots into the rock and is the bane of my existance. I'd be happy with bubble algae. :)
 
the thing is, you have absoluteley no way to know what algal spores are on what piece of live rock.......
 
X2 on peroxide. It works great and a bottle is less than a buck for 3% solution. Soak the affected rocks for 3-5 minutes and be done with it. I'd also recommend soaking any pumps, heaters, tubes, etc in peroxide as well to ensure nothing carries over.
 
From the pictures I am seeing on google this is exactly what I have in my refugium. I have had pieces end up in my DT and my tangs make short work of it ( chevron, purple, blue hippo ).

I know this is not practical for a cube but maby a couple of heavy alge eater like sea hair and/or lawnmower blenny.
 
Back
Top