Restart (Sort of...) of a 40B

[Rubasu]

I upgraded from a 20 to a 40B almost a year ago. I started running into algae issues that I can't seem to cure and my corals, while healthy looking, are not growing. Except my blue mushrooms, those are growing pretty quickly.

Anyway, I am getting new carpet in a couple months, so since I have to move the tank anyway, I would like to redo my setup.

Right now, I don't have a sump. I plan on getting a new 40B and having it drilled for an overflow while turning my current 40B into a sump in the basement (it's only about 8ft from the DT.) I'm sort of starting fresh with a new setup. Just a couple questions:

1. I have never ordered dry rock before. I plan on doing it this time to make everything in the tank look cohesive. I was thinking about getting 40# of BRS rock, but since it's pretty pourous...wouldn't I need less than 40#? (I would like it to be somewhat open...and some of my current rock will be moving to the sump.)

2. While curing the rock, I know adding a bit of my current rock will help seed it. However, since I have algae, wouldn't that just put it on my brand new rock and give me the same issues? Any way to do this properly without transferring the bad?

3. Would flexible tubing for the overflow / return work alright, or does it have to be PVC? It would be easier for me to use the flexible tubes instead.

I think that's it. Sorry about the long post, but I plan on ordering some stuff this week. Thanks!

(If you have any other random advice, that would be cool too.) Can't wait! :bounce3:

 

[jstack]

as someone new aswell it's been my understanding when algae is bad proper- rodi/gfo and nutrient export would be the cure with a healthy daily dose of proper lighting.

 

[Rubasu]

Yeah, that's why I am going the sump route now. I use RODI for my water changes and I have good lighting. I don't have a gfo reactor right now, but I put some of the phosban in a canister filter and let that run. It didn't help. I think I need a refugium.

 

[jstack]

Yeah, that's why I am going the sump route now. I use RODI for my water changes and I have good lighting. I don't have a gfo reactor right now, but I put some of the phosban in a canister filter and let that run. It didn't help. I think I need a refugium.

refuge's are great But most LFS sell a red type of Algae that you can safely put behind your rock work to help get it out if you're in a hurry

 

[TimeConsumer]

1) 40lbs is good if you can afford a few extra dollars. You might end up with some extra, but a greater selection makes for better scapes. And you'll probably have some breakage in shipment and end up with several pounds of rubble. What kind of BRS rock are you looking at?

2) If algae is a concern you can dunk the old rock in hydrogen peroxide. It nukes algae pretty well without harming the bacteria. But algae is mostly a water quality issue anyway. And no matter what you will get GHA and bubble eventually, proper water quality will keep it from taking over. What algae are you struggling with?

3) Flexible tubing is fine.

 

[Rubasu]

Thanks everyone.

@TimeConsumer

1. I am looking at the reef saver. But I also read good things about the rock on reefcleaners.org and I do like the guy that runs it because he helped me out before (when he didn't need to) so I may go with him.

2. I am getting some brown algae ONLY on the sand bed. Also, I think I see little parts of GHA, but again...only on the sand bed. The rocks that I have had for about 4 years have nothing bad on them that I can see. A couple of the branch rocks that I picked up grew some of the GHA on it after about 5 months. Think I could just pull those rocks and dip them in peroxide? I find it a little weird that my old rocks have absolutely nothing on them while algae is on the sandbed, newer rocks, and the heater... Any reason for this?

I also ramped up my lights a bit to see if that helps at all.

3. Sweet, that's the plan then. I am going to be running it through a wall and down about 4ft...would be annoying with all pvc.

 

[TimeConsumer]

Old rock covered in coralline is more resistant to algae growth, so that's likely why it is showing less growth than the new rock and the sand.

No matter what if it is just common algaes you will get them anyway. However, if your old rocks had soaked up a lot of nitrate and phosphate and you add them into the new system they will slowly leach out. So you will likely have to be very diligent with maintenance.