Re-Aquascaping SPS Tank

[hanas]

I currently have a 10 month old 90G SPS tank with about 22 - 2" inch SPS colonies. Now that things are starting to grow in, I wanted to change the rock around in order to make more space for the colonies to grow. I have a 1/2" sand bed that I clean on a monthly basis.

Is this going to do more harm than good? I was planning on removing the SPS corals from the rock and placing them in my sump while I change the rock arounds. I'm assuming my fish will be ok during the change and I'll have water prepared for a water change at the end of the process.

I don't hate the layout now, I just know that I could make it better. Should I just let it be?

 

[Allmost]

no it should be fine just have fresh salt water ready for a largewater change after.

I would also take each rock out, put it in a bucket of salt water and shake it around to remove all detritus. or use a small power head.

refresh GAC after as well in case you let out something from the sand or below the rocks.
the tank might be cludy for a day or so after, but no biggie ... your corals will look better after as well as you will be removing alot of rotting stuff from the rocks which contribut to PO4.

good luck oh andmake sure SPS have enough flow in sump.

 

[hanas]

How much fresh saltwater would you suggest? What % water change?

 

[Allmost]

meh, Id say about a bucket or two more than usuall water changes.

even if you rescape and run fresh GAC, most cases nothing negative happens. unless u have a sand bed under rocks for ages, and it has methane gas and ... which most likely is not the case with you, as you said you clean the sand monthly. ....

the water change is more in terms of " you are removing all rocks and corals, why not take that time to clean under the rocks and in between them and areas you cant reach with all corals" ...


make sure to match salinity and Temp

about 30G is enough, counting in a bucket or two to be wasted on blowing detritus off rocks ...

also, in case you run out of salt water, and there is still detritus u want out, you can use a long hose, with a filter sock and some mechanical filters, siphon detritus out into the sock so it can collect all, and you can reuse the water after. or even place the sock in sump and siphon detritus that way


PS. we would love to see before after pics after ure done

 

[hanas]

Thanks for your help Allmost....I'll definitely post before and after pics. I'm going to make the changes over the weekend so once the water clears and I re-attach all my SPS I'll post the pics.