Life got in the way

[hillg2784]

We all know how easily life can get in the way and when it did this time, my tank paid for it. I have done nothing with this tank in months, besides topping it off to keep the filters quiet, all fish have died off besides a lone gobby and some various snails. and hermit crabs. I was also able to pick up some friends along the way in my HOB filter boxes.

Its time to rehab this tank and was wondering what everyone's thought process is on getting back to what it once was and also who are these little guys in my filters?

 

[hillg2784]

 

[Uncle99]

The first thing I’d do is get a reading on parameters as they are now and work towards ensuring they are both in the traditional bands and remaining stable.

 

[bobnicaragua]

It doesn’t look like a huge tank, I would start with a water change. Then get back on a regular maintenance schedule.

 

[hillg2784]

It’s a 125g so not small…..the pics are the dirtier areas of the tank. Overall it could be far worse. Not sure if it’s been neglected to the point that I should just clean out all filters replace them with new media and filters while I do a series of water changes over the next few weeks. Once that’s done replace filter media and filters again and start basically over and slowly add fish.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I’ve always used live rock, filter sock, skimmer, and a bag or charcoal.

What filters are in the hob box?
Are you adding coral?
Skimmer?

 

[hillg2784]

I have hob filters with live rock in them, carbon and media balls, I run it with three of them.

 

[LPS Bum]

Large water change. Run carbon (replace every 2 weeks). Get parameters in order. Install a filter roller (if you have a sump) and an ATO, and enjoy your low maintenance aquarium.

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

The first thing I would do is a deep clean and intensive maintenance on all of the equipment. Take the pumps and filters apart and clean the impeller, etc. Next I would take the rocks out and blast out all of the nooks and crannies in a bucket of tank water. While I had em out I would thoroughly vacuum the sand bed and do a big water change. Then I would try and get a few pieces of the livest rock you can find preferably from a couple of different sources and let things marinate while you do a series of water changes.

 

[bobnicaragua]

If this is going to be a reef with coral; I would add real ocean live rock, a skimmer, and some kind of mechanical filtration. Keep up a consistent maintenance routine. Have decent light coverage, not just spotlights. Have good flow that blows detritus up toward the overflow.

 

[hillg2784]

Anyone have an idea what the worms are in the filter boxes?? They look like a white/clearish color. Don’t see them in the tank from what I can tell.

 

[hillg2784]

No insight on the creepy crawlers???

I removed all live rock, topped off with rodi water, no salt added since I’m sure the salt levels were okay due to evaporation.

Tomorrow is a through cleaning of rocks, sand bed and glass. I will also replace my rodi filters tomorrow with fresh ones and start the water change process. I went ahead and ordered new filters, media and carbon to run in my seachem hob filters. I think I’ll come out of this just fine.

 

[Dburr1014]

No insight on the creepy crawlers???

I removed all live rock, topped off with rodi water, no salt added since I’m sure the salt levels were okay due to evaporation.

Tomorrow is a through cleaning of rocks, sand bed and glass. I will also replace my rodi filters tomorrow with fresh ones and start the water change process. I went ahead and ordered new filters, media and carbon to run in my seachem hob filters. I think I’ll come out of this just fine.

Those are harmless. Probably limpets.

Tank really doesn't look bad considering. Test everything, clean the sand a little and you're back in business.

 

[hillg2784]

Just leave them alone or scrape them off?