Will it cycle?

[christensonjes]

I currently have 2 20 gal tanks and I will be combining the two tanks into one 55 gallon. One of my tanks has some red slime algae on the substrate and some on the live rock. I am going to replace the substrate with live sand, but I am keeping the live rock. Question is: will I be able to scrub the rocks to get the algae off without disrupting the biological process? I cannot let the tank cycle. I have fish and lots of corals that need to go back in the same day. Any help on this?

Also, if I put the same water that is in the affected tank into the new tank, will this algae transfer to my new one? Or does that not have anything to do with it?

[mtfatwork]

as long as you dont keep the rock out of water for long, I would think it would be fine, but I guess it depends on how much scrubbing you are planning on doing. I dont think the water itself has a whole lot to do with it, you could use it if you wanted, I would just use it as an opportunity to do a good water change, as you combine into the big tank.

[salty65gal]

I've went through a few upgrades recently. From what I've learned...

You can re-use the top layer of sand, the first inch or so is good. Replace the rest with new "Arag-alive" sand if you have it available....

I would siphon out roughly 10 gallons of water out of each 20 gallon tank to re-use in the 55.

Use the remaining water to scrub the rock in. Scrub the rock then swish in the water to remove detrius and build up. I use an old toothbrush- works great and won't cause the tank to cycle at all. Rock should be able to stay out of the water for 5 to 6 hours with no effects, shorter time out being better though.

Add the rock to the new tank, fill with water. Will be cloudy for a while as everything settles.... You can add the fish and corals right away with no effects... Just make sure the water is up to temp and correct salinity.

Good luck with upgrading to your 55. You're going to wish you had a 75 for the extra 6 inches of width for aquascaping! I should mention that this takes longer that expected too. I'd say from between 2 and 5 hours.... depending how fast you work and how far the other tank is from the existing ones......

Make sure to keep us informed!!! Another upgrade

[smeese]

Look up a product called Chemi-Clean. You will not have to scrub, cause it will dissappear with the proper dose. Totally reefsafe IME I would get it cleaned up then do the transfer. If you are mobving things and exposing your rock to air the Bio will be tossed a bit, but I have done way more extreme changes and had very little ill effect. Let us knoe how it goes, and post some pics when you are done.

[smeese]

Oh yeah....I would toss the old sand cause it will just turn you new system into chocolate milk for the first few days.

[Loverotties]

I would srub the rock in a busket of old or new but save the new for the tank and use the old water in a buck and scrub in there!

[David Grigor]

LR setting out for a few hours is no big deal. Just as long as you keep it somewhat moist and lot let totally dry out. If I do a major disturbing, I do like to use the little red jars of Bio-zyme to the tank for the next few days. It only costs like $3 had has a long shelf life. Whether it's necessary or does any good I can't say for sure but have never had cycling issues as a result either.

[ZOKU]

If it's going to be out of the tank and going into a new one... you may as well give it a light scrubbing. It depends on how well the algae has seeded itself. Scrubbing lightly isn't going to do much if it is fairly well established.

[christensonjes]

I just plan on scrubbing off the slime algae. And the new apartment is only 10 to 15 minutes away, so the project shouldn't be too bad. But you never know I guess.

Anyone know a good way to put the sandbed in without making it too cloudy?

[salty65gal]

Put the sand in before the water. Spread out a plastic garbage bag across the sand and pour the water in.....

[christensonjes]

Thanks. I'll try it.

[mtfatwork]

good luck with the transition!