advice for reef upgrade

I am in process of turning my FOWLR to a "reef" type set up. I run a low sg right now at 1.021. I don't have a lot of flow at the moment and have ordered pumps. I need to re-scape the tank as well since it's just pretty much a wall of random rock at this point so I get better flow throughout.

My rock has a lot of detrius buildup even though I baste it pretty regularly with the good 'ole turkey baster method. So, to my questions, I will be doing water changes to slowly increase my salinity. 1) What is your recommendation on how much to increase per change and am I correct that I should do this slowly? I was planning on doing 10% water changes (54 gallon tank) - probably about every 2-3 days until I raise it to 1.025. I'm planning on cleaning off my rock during the first change pretty thoroughly (with a tooth brush to really get the detrius off) and I probably will have to take out some rock because I really think I have too much to allow me to scape it correctly. 2) By removing rock, is that going to upset the biological filter markedly? My rock is very well established.

All input welcome please

 

Here's a really good article on various methods to deal with detritus. Detrivores are your friend! The Infamous Detritivore by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com

What kind of CUC do you have? What kind of lighting and filter systems are you running/planning on running?

Talking Heads rule.

 

I only have three mexican turbos and one medium sized hermit. I ordered a detrius clean up crew today from reefs2go. I have a canister filter that I'm modifying by taking out the cermic rings and just running carbon and phosguard, hang on skimmer, about a 2-3 inch sand bed and the live rock. I have no powerheads in there now - only movement is from the canister outflow and the skimmer thus the need to add the powerheads. Lighting is 2 55 watt power compacts (I know, old stuff) and I ordered a par 38 bulb and most likely will have to order another one.

Talking heads do rule

 

update - my two new bulbs came for my power compact (finally) and they are the wrong size, soooo.....T5 HO fixture is ordered - oh my, my I really don't want to see my next VISA bill!

 

New lights !!!! YOU'RE HOOKED!!! That's great,should be a nice improvement.To raise your salinity gradually you can just mix up a batch of salt water with not too high salinity and use to top off instead of fresh water.This should raise your salinity gradually enough that ypu will have no ill affects.Just make sure you check your s/g often so you don't raise it too much.

 

Now that is some common sense advice sailorguy!! Thanks again!

 

+1, I have used this method as well

 

I think .02 per day is max you want to go up on salinity. As far as cleaning rocks every other month i usually take some of my rocks out of the tank and shake the crap out of them in a bucket of salt water I have taken out to do a WC.

 

+1 to the top off method, slow and steady always good.

And I'd let your new CUC brush off the rocks for ya. Personally I wouldn't be messing with too much in the tank at the same time, ie salinity, biofilter, cleaning etc. your new hermits and critters will clean it for ya.

 

Any chance of building a sump? Depending on the size, you may be able to place some of your "extra" rock in there and keep all the benefits plus add cheato and house a decent skimmer. Just a thought.....i think it would make your life a little easier in the long run. Sounds like you're putting together a good plan of slow and steady! Good luck!