Tank downsize advice

[ScubaDiver93]

After 3 years with a 180 gallon tank, it's time to downsize a bit. Alright maybe a tad more than a bit. I am going with a 14g biocube and keeping my clownfish, but that's about all. The downsize comes at a time when the big tank has become overrun with algae and aiptasia. At this point would it be better to get new rock and sand and simply start anew? Or is there a reason to keep the aiptasia covered rock? Also is a 250w 14k MH too much light for a cube is I make it an open top? Would I be able to avoid a new cycle if I stuck with the old rock and sand?

 

[marillion]

I just downsized from a 90-gallon to a 25-gallon. The 90 gallon's rock had quite a bit of algae on it. The 25 is so small that I just started over. It's not worth it to put the "corrupted" rock in there and have problems right from the start, especially if there's a way you can get cured rock from your LFS like I can.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Nemos Boss]

Go with new rock. Aptasia can be very frustrating. Your gonna have to hang that MH pretty high. Unless your planning to add a chiller. If your going rimless those viper clip on lamps are cool. LED? Im sure rapidled has a kit perfect for the hood on that BC 14.

 

[reefsahoy]

Aptasia can be controlled by pepermint shrimp. Stick 2 in there and dont feed the tank for a couple days and your aptasias will be history. If the rocksare a nice shape idusethem. Simply scrub them offandwash them with clean salt water so you dont kill the bacteria. Theres no insurance that buying new liverock wont include aptasia or some foriegn hitch hiker. Just my .02 cents.

 

[Nemos Boss]

Aptasia can be controlled by pepermint shrimp. Stick 2 in there and dont feed the tank for a couple days and your aptasias will be history. If the rocksare a nice shape idusethem. Simply scrub them offandwash them with clean salt water so you dont kill the bacteria. Theres no insurance that buying new liverock wont include aptasia or some foriegn hitch hiker. Just my .02 cents.

If found that a few pieces of aptasia can be taken out by a peppermint, but a whole rockscape full. idk. Also sounds like he has major algae issues as well. IMO start over. Y start your new tank with a peppermint shrimp and a headache?

 

[B3ach]

After 3 years with a 180 gallon tank, it's time to downsize a bit. Alright maybe a tad more than a bit. I am going with a 14g biocube and keeping my clownfish, but that's about all. The downsize comes at a time when the big tank has become overrun with algae and aiptasia. At this point would it be better to get new rock and sand and simply start anew? Or is there a reason to keep the aiptasia covered rock? Also is a 250w 14k MH too much light for a cube is I make it an open top? Would I be able to avoid a new cycle if I stuck with the old rock and sand?

I would use water from your old tank, but get you some new rock and sand. Maybe use some of your old sand mixed with the new sand.
You could use some of your old rock and get some dry rock.

If you used metal halide on your old tank and liked it, I would stick with it. I was not impressed with my switch to LED's. I would take a good mh bulb or t5 fixture over them any day.
Hang that 250w high though.

 

[tripdad]

A small friendly piece of info., EVERYTHING happens so much faster in the smaller water volumes of nano's compared to the larger tanks. Keep a close watch on things for the first few months and NEVER neglect maintenance or problems, they blow up into big issues real fast. The old saying that nothing good happens fast in this hobby can be added to by saying that only bad things happen fast in a nano, good things take time but it is super rewarding to see acro's thriving in a small tank. Good Reefing!