Tank now has many issues

[fishyj]

Hi all, I have a bc29 tank that was set up for 2 years with no problems. The tank decided to crack on me in the middle of the night (whole other story). After transfering everything into a plastic bin, I picked up another tank and put everything back in including the sand. It has now been 3 months since this and I cannot seem to get the algea under control. I do a 5 gallon water change weekly but now it is forming on my rocks and sand. The lighting is led and that has not been an issue. Any ideas
ph 8.0
calcium 480
dkh10 179 kh
ammonia 0
nitrates and nitrites 0
phosphate 0

 

[ConnorG]

Do you have corals? If not try cutting bak on light period. Maybe a blenny to help eat some I it?

 

[ReachTheSky]

Putting the old sand back in there was a big mistake. One of the biggest things to remember in this hobby is that you never reuse a sand bed.

There are a ton nutrients and bio-matter held within a sand bed, especially one that's a few years old. When you move it from one tank to another, you would inadvertently release all of it and caused nutrient levels in the water column to increase significantly and trigger problem after problem.

 

[fishyj]

I am considering removing the sand bed and starting over. If I do this can I put everything back in after or do I have to wait? I can keep my corals in my 10 gallon tank and just put the live rock back in with my clown fish. I only have softies now and several anemones at this point.

 

[bertoni]

What is being done for nutrient control? I don't think I'd take the tank apart again at this point. I might add some GFO or more GFO to the system, and consider some feeding reduction.

 

[foxriverat]

I have a 29 FO and use Bio-Activ Live Aragonite
reef substrate. I am thinking of going to a bigger tank. So you dont recomend reusing the Argonite?

 

[ReachTheSky]

What is being done for nutrient control? I don't think I'd take the tank apart again at this point. I might add some GFO or more GFO to the system, and consider some feeding reduction.

I agree. In addition, try cutting the lights out for a couple of days if you think your livestock can handle it. You can also try running some macro algae in the sump or carbon dosing. If you choose the latter, do it slowly and observe side effects carefully. If it works and is done right, it can help immensely.

I have a 29 FO and use Bio-Activ Live Aragonite
reef substrate. I am thinking of going to a bigger tank. So you dont recomend reusing the Argonite?

I would definitely recommend using all new sand. Paying an extra few dollars is nothing compared to running into maddening problems later on down the line IMO. If you have beneficial fauna that you want to keep, a small cup of your old sand to seed the new one will be perfectly fine.