Talk me back from the ledge. Help with my tank!

Ok. My tank is a disaster, I honestly think it is beyond repair and I want to start over. This is my 90 gallon.

When I was in the hospital last year, and really sick for months afterwards, I couldn't care for my tank and the little bit of cyano and bubble algae that was in there has just gone crazy. As well as aiptasia. I can't stand it and I am seriously thinking about selling off my tank. Which breaks my heart I would really be sad about parting with my fish. I've tried to make the CL ad several times and I've never been able to do it.

Is there any way I can start over without causing my tank to crash with all the fish in it? I want to get ALL new live rock (not base). I honestly think my base rock has been leaching phosphates and other things. But I don't want to get into that here.

Would I keep my sand? Because it would help with the new tank cycling, or would I put all new sand in as well?

Any tips, ideas, suggestions...anything would be great. I'm really at my wit's end with the whole thing.

 

Hey Kc

get an image up, so we can all see what we are dealing with
it may not be as bad as you think

the problems you describe are generally problems that can be dealt with, without the need to start over again

a series of water changes, with manual removal would be my 1st step
looking at my flow, are my wavemakers, pumps etc still performing at their rated flow rates ?
Is there room for additional flow, which would help with the cyno

renewing the GFO more often for a few weeks to help tidy up any escaping PO4 from the manual removal of algae

changing lamps? are they now at a colour temp that's encouraging these pests

Steve

 

KC I once went 2 years without a water changed or cleaning a filter and the tank was a mess but i got it back after a few months. Dont lose hope.
Any livestock left in it?

Def do a lot of water changes and filter media to help clean the water and keep it clean. Slow and steady and you can bring it back.

Peppermint shrimp will take car of the aptasia in no time.

 

The cyano I feel I could conquer...but the bubble algae...I've heard that's practically impossible to clear up. Especially because bubble algae doesn't need excess nutrients to live off of.

I am coming up on time for new lamps, but when I put new lamps in about 6 months ago they didn't help clear up anything, everything just got worse.

I was thinking about hiring an aquarium maintenance company to come and do a massive cleaning, get in all the nooks and crannies, etc. that I can't. But the bubble algae...ugh.

I have my fish left, some coral and a huge, gorgeous clam.

 

The other thing - my tank has always been like this. The base rock has always been covered in algae - before it was GHA. But now that's gone. When I took great care of the tank, water changes every week, changing filter media, etc. there was always algae. I've never been able to conquer it! I seriously think my base rocks are leaching.

 

I agree with Steve, I think you should put a picture of your tank up so we can acess the situation.

 

You might need to pull each rock out and manually remove the bubble algae. Red mythrix crabs will do a real number on any that is missed. This should not cause too much problem for the tank especially if you are aggressive with WC, media changing and equipment cleaning.

 

they may well be, but the good news is, the algae is consuming it
hence , manual removal, with GFO in the system at all times to collect the released PO4 from the algae you are cleaning off

if there is rock you can remove ( no coral firmly attached)
then next water change
bucket of tank water
take 1 or 2 rocks out (do not do to many at once)
swish them around in the bucket, to remove any trapped debris
clean them off using a new/ unused toothbrush
rinse them again in the bucket
add them back to the tank

a few weeks of this will make a significant difference IME

 

Have you tried a nudibranch for the aiptasia problem?

Attack one problem at a time if aiptasia is a real issue, start there with a nudibranch.

As John mentioned a true emerald crab for the bubble algae.

GF0 or phosban or similar product for the other algae.

I would be careful about shocking the tank with too much GFO or similar products at one time.

If it seems overwhelming and feels like you might be loosing the battle, personally I would no problem changing out all the live rock or the most problematic pieces with new cured LR and having a maintenance company do a couple good cleanings and water changes.

With that said, you may have to look at your skimmer, introduction of excess nutrients and perhaps going to some type of carbon to keep the tank in shape.

Good luck

 

+1 to the above, my 46 is a mess right (cyano & aiptasia) but I plan on concurring that even if I have to hire someone to do the heavy cleaning.
I know you can get it to be beautiful again.