Finally picked up the tank - What do I do now?

[MrFLGuy]

Hey everyone,

I finally picked up that 150 gallong tank today (what a pain to move). As advised, I left the sand in the tank.

Anyway, it looked to be in pretty bad shape when I got it. The walls were covered in algae and all the live rock appeared to be growing's it's own algae with tall wavy strands.

I managed to clean most of the algae off the walls of the tank and I took out some clumps of sand that looked pretty built up.

My question, is what do I do with the live rock? It is all currently submerged in buckets outside. Should I scrape this algae off? I really don't want to put it back in the tank like that.

Should I replace all the sand also or just leave it? As stated, I took a little out so i'll probably put a little more in tomorrow.

Please advise ASAP as i'd like to do this first thing on Sunday.

TIA

 

[24 hours? NE!]

Did you have water in the tank with the sand? How much sand do you think is left? How much lr?

Maybe it would be best to add some new sand (doesn't have to be live) if it needs it.

What kind of algae is on the rock? What kind of water did you put in the buckets?

 

[MrFLGuy]

Responses inline:

Did you have water in the tank with the sand? Yes, but not much since we had to move it.

How much sand do you think is left? How much lr? Maybe it would be best to add some new sand (doesn't have to be live) if it needs it. Yes, I think i'll pick up a few bags of sand tomorrow and add it. I didn't remove much, just where I saw huge clumps of algae.

What kind of algae is on the rock? I am not sure. But it was all over the sand and everything when we were draining the water and the walls. Like I said, the tank looked bad when I picked it up.

What kind of water did you put in the buckets? I had to use tap water with some of the orginal water from the tank since that's all I had at the time. I figured it was better that nothing at all.
So, what should I do

 

[XXFirefighter]

Well first I would do is get that rock in some heated salt water, or your gonna be out all your rock ! Thenk get that tanks up and running asap ! Take out the BAD sand and put in new... Put int he rock first to make it more stable and pump in heated salted water !

 

[MrFLGuy]

OK, sounds like a plan and will do that today.

I NEED to know if I should scrape off all this algae off the live rock? I REALLY don't want to put that nasty stuff back in the tank. What should I do? Please advise ASAP!!!!!

Thanks again!

 

[MrFLGuy]

Anyone?

Sorry for the rush but the lfs opens in an hour and i'm anxious to get started.

 

[mhaynes01]

i would clean it and take most of the sand out put new sand in that should work out but liek the others said abotu the LR keep it filter and also use some airation in the buckets

 

[XXFirefighter]

you don't need to go to the LFS today or tomorrow or next week !
You need to slow down BIG TIME !
You need to re-cycle the tank.
If you killed a whole bunch of life rock it's gonna have die off and spike !
Put everything in the tank, wait a week, test the water, wait 1 more week and then if all is ok, THEN go to the store for a FEW fish !

 

[MrFLGuy]

"""""Put everything in the tank, wait a week, test the water, wait 1 more week and then if all is ok, THEN go to the store for a FEW fish ! """""

Maybe, I should have put into better context. I did not mean to imply that I was going to the lfs to buy "FISH". I am not sure where you got that from?

I was referring to sand, salt, water, etc.

I do appreciate the advice though and thank you to everyone. I think i'll buy some more sand and change half of it and see about renting a reverse osmosis system.

Off to the LFS

 

[srgetz]

especially with a 150, you may wanna look at buying one on ebay, they can be had under $100 ro/di - you will need ro and lots of it with that tank, don't mess with nasty tap water it will just promote more algae!