Purchasing a Craigslist Tank

[Deriak4942]

I'm going to pick up a 75g saltwater tank with 100lb of liverock and a couple inches of sand that has been sitting stagnant for about a month. I looked at it today and only saw a few snails and a cleaner shrimp.

Is it necessary to dip the rock and clean the sand before I start it back up again?

If yes, could I please get some direction?

 

[Diana A]

I would trash the sand and get new sand, clean the liverock(you don't know what's on it...aiptasia..ich), and bleach the tank. Put the snails and cleaner shrimp in a QT until your tank is ready for them.

 

[Ryan Darilek]

I agree with Diana... Chances are this tank failed and that's why they are giving up. Either start over with its foundation (sand and LR), or get everything up and running and leave it (don't add anything) for at least 8 weeks to be sure if anything is in there it dies off

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[CVReefer]

Bleach/acid wash the rock. You can rinse the sand with a garden hose and some buckets (I've done it a few times) but it takes a few hours. New live sand will make your cycle faster if you don't want to use the old sand.

Get a 10g tank for the snails and other inverts.

You really don't want to try to run the tank with the old stuff. You don't know what pests are there, if there are nutrients locked in the rocks, ect. Patience is the key to success in this hobby

 

[Deriak4942]

Understood, Thank you everyone for the replies. So the reason they are selling the tank is because they are moving. I actually need to get it out by Tuesday because they have a showing. I know it is risky starting up a tank with no prior knowledge of its history but here are some other things I observed that I didn't mention earlier. There is a significant amount of coralline algae on the rock; I'd really hate to lose it. np, it's not painted. I did see one large aiptasia. I have had success eradicating those in the past with redsea aiptasia-x...

In response to Ryan, so if I let the tank run for 8+ weeks with its current rock/sand, that should get rid of any pests? I'm guessing the idea here is to starve anything out?
I am very patient; I have other tanks to focus my addiction on

I was planning on giving the cleaner to the LFS. I have a 20g nano mixed reef with a cleaner already and I don't want to encroach on his territory.

 

[bcb577]

If it was myself in your situation,I'd ditch old sand ,I would use vinegar to clean the tank

 

[Deriak4942]

What I'm entertaining right now is to rinse out the old sand with chlorinated water and just start over with that. As for the LR, dip it in club soda then let the tank run for several weeks before adding any live stock. I read that dipping the LR in club soda with kill any unwanted pests and not be detrimental to the beneficial bacteria or coralline algae. Apparently it's the high levels of CO2 that kills the pests by suffocating them. I really don't want to kill the LR...the tank had been running about 4 years.

 

[Ryan Darilek]

What I'm entertaining right now is to rinse out the old sand with chlorinated water and just start over with that. As for the LR, dip it in club soda then let the tank run for several weeks before adding any live stock. I read that dipping the LR in club soda with kill any unwanted pests and not be detrimental to the beneficial bacteria or coralline algae. Apparently it's the high levels of CO2 that kills the pests by suffocating them. I really don't want to kill the LR...the tank had been running about 4 years.

I think I would do the same in your shoes. The reasoning for 8 weeks is any parasite that hosts fish dies off in this time... Then you're good to go!! Keep us posted how it goes my man!

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[Blabomb]

Honestly I would start with new sand. In the long run the sand is a minimal cost when compared to the chance of introducing something bad to the new set up.
With the live rock I would take the same approach. I know you said you wanted to keep the coralline algae, but if I were in your position I would bleach the rocks and eliminate any chance of pests. You can replace the coralline algae within 6 months with a healthy tank.

I am in the same boat as you. I recently purchased an existing, successful tank. I could have set it up as a turn key operation, but I'd rather know with 100% certainty I'm not putting myself behind the eight ball out of the gate. Just my two cents.

 

[Diana A]

..... hate -x...

In response to Ryan, so if I let the tank run for 8+ weeks with its current rock/sand, that should get rid of any pests? I'm guessing the idea here is to starve anything out?
I am very patient; I have other tanks to focus my addiction on

.

aiptasia Will not go away unless you treat the rocks. Coraline algae is not a reason to not bleach the rock. If your tank doesn't have the right parameters, the coralline algae will go away.

 

[hann1bal]

FYI, I bought a used 75 gallon tank at a LFS and after 1 year it sprung a leak. It was the worst experience I have had and almost made me quit the hobby.

Only reason I am telling you this is to make sure you are careful. I thought - well its holding water now so it always will - wrong!

Saving a few buck early on can cost more in the long run. Common sense I know.

 

[Sk8r]

Reusing sand that's gone south, no. Rock should be good, with treatment. Save any living snails etc and put them in a plain salt tank and feed them a few flakes.