Husband DESTROYED our tank..

[pink.lemonade]

My husband wants saltwater fish but refuses to accept the responsibility of taking care of it properly so I decided to take over. We have a biocube 14. The fan makes a horrible noise and he hates the tank with a passion.So much so he hardly ever takes care of it. I told him to replace the fan but I think he wishes he could just afford to get the tank of his dreams, (wtf.. he can't even keep this tiny tank going.. what makes him think he can do a larger one?).. When I opened the tank to install the new fan I was SHOCKED. ITS BAD! IT'S REAL BAD! I don't think he's changed the filter or done anything with it in YEARS! SO.. I started researching.. I now I find myself so confused.. I don't know what to do from here.. The tank has been running for 5 years, (clown fish has lived that long as well). No coral. Just a lonely live rock and some sand. Everything I am finding online is for a new system start up. I need someone to tell me what I need to do. Should the first step be, CHANGE the filters? From my research people are against the bio balls and crappy biocube brand filters. which is what we have. Should I buy a media basket, (floss/purigen/chemi pure??)? I have no clue what I should start with. It's like looking at a hoarders house and not sure where to begin. I have fallen in love with the salt water tanks so I am really wanting to turn this sucker around and get it where I WANT It. My husband did water changes every month or maybe even longer?! The guy at the fish store told me I need to do them weekly asap and was shocked our clown fish has lived so long. 1.5 gallons a week.. is that right?! PLEASE help.. I really want to fix it up but there is so much damage I have no clue what needs to be replaced or fixed first and the info online is mixed..

 

 

[Admonition]

I would definitely recommend getting test kits to at least test your water and find out what your levels are. This information will help determine how drastic the measures you need to take will be. API makes a saltwater package/kit that comes with the basic test kits, and I'm sure your LFS has it (about $25).

 

Looking at your rock alone, I would definitely recommend removing it and giving it a good scrub down to remove all that algae.

 

Also, I adding things like purigen and chemipure elite will surely help get your water in check, but I'd wait to add those until you can tell us what your water is testing at. No need to clog those bags up with gunk you'll just remove in a large water change/syphon.

[ElmoC]

Should the first step be, CHANGE the filters?

 

 

Maybe a change in husbands?

 

Have you done any water tests to see what state the water is in? Salinity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate would be a good start.

 

Get a clean-up crew in there right away. Check with your LFS for some algae eating snails.

 

There are others far more experienced on here that will probably have better/more/other advice, but I would suggest dumping the bio-balls and doing a though cleaning of that area.

 

Next would be to get a media basket (http://shop.mediabaskets.com/BioCube-14-Media-Basket-BC14MR.htm). Chemi-pure in the bottom, purigen in middle, floss on the top. You can use pillow stuffing (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Morning-Glory-Premium-Polyester-Fiberfill-20-oz./19397510?action=product_interest&action_type=title&placement_id=irs_middle&strategy=PWVUB&visitor_id=50668414399&category=0%3A2637%3A667479%3A1085270&client_guid=09cf1fba-295d-4262-a920-d2f76df44881&config_id=0&parent_item_id=19397504&guid=5f98d042-d86d-4e3d-a9be-b0da59fcaa4c&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n) just as long as it has no additives like flame retardant, anti-fungal, or other type stuff.

 

Run your lighting on a shorter schedule, or possibly leave them off for a day at a time. Need to take away the food source for the algae and light is a major part of it. Running ROWAphos would help get the phosphate levels down.

[JavaJacketOC]

It might be best to tear the whole thing down, cleaning everything extremely well (uncluding replacement of the live rock or one of the many cleaning methods that can be found on the forums), replace all filters and start the cycle all over again.

 

If the only livestock you have is the fish, you can make a small QT tank type setup while the tank is cycling. Also, if you're using stock bulbs they'll probably need to be replaced. I believe over time as they wear out the spectrum changes which can promote some heavy algae growth. If you have grander ideas for lovestock you may want to reconsider your lighting options all together.

 

Edit: If you were shocked when you openin the hood it's probably best just to get rid of it unless you're good with electrical and DIY. If you just plan to keep fish there are some inexpesive lighting options that will provide good color and be completely sufficienct for fish.

 

You can consider doing heavy water changes, changing filter pads, etc. however I believe there have been several discussions about once a tank has hit a certian point (not saying yours has but it's possible) that it's more tome consuming trying to correct all o the issues than it is to just start over.

 

I hope to see you turn this tank into something amazing so your husband how it's done!

 

Hope everything goes well, I will be following. Welcome to NR

[Coco66]

Might want to start with some new live rock. Hair algae is hard to fight or dip it into a Hydrogen peroxide salt water mix. Read up on the hydrogen peroxide thread. Do not take all the bio balls out at once. Few at a time with each water change. Definitely go with the filter basket and the media that you mentioned. Do you have a good refractometer to measure your salinity level when making your water for water changes?

[VABumpkin]

Testing the water and doing a big water change (50% or more) afterwards will definitely help brighten the situation. Take out the bioballs or ceramic media in there now slowly over the course of a few weeks. Taking it out all at once after such a long time will cause another cycle. After you've done your water change definitely get a few snails and hermits to clean up the tank. Stay on top of water changes (1 gallon or more a week) and you will be golden in no time.

[Red_Blenny]

When your husband did a water change, what kind of water did he use? Fish store premixed water? Tap water + salt mix? Pure water + salt mix?

[KP_Reef_Tank]

I don't think she was electrically shocked. Just surprised.

 

If you are able to do a partial water change- like RO/DI mixed saltwater, go ahead.

 

Even placing a bag of carbon in tank could help.

[metrokat]

1. Water change with a very small section of the tank gravel vacuumed. Very small area. Not too much.

2. Change all filter media. Yes get the media basket

3. Throw those rocks or dip in peroxide. Removing those rocks will result in a LOT of detritus released from the sand, this could cause a tank crash, ammonia, sulfur so this requires caution.

4. Back wall should be scraped. Add Mexican turbo snails and a good clean up crew of snails and crabs

 

That's step 1. :flower:

[Spiderguardnano]

Put the tank on craigslist and start fresh with a new all in one tank something you and your husband can agree on. I feel by doing this you will spark the love back In your husband to want to take care of a tank together.

[ninjamyst]

push the reset button now and start over

[farkwar]

Put the tank on craigslist and start fresh with a new all in one tank something you and your husband can agree on. I feel by doing this you will spark the love back In your husband to want to take care of a tank together.

 

Agree. Rebooting that tank is going to take time and labor.

 

Start over fresh with a system you can agree on.

[janussolutions]

1. water changes

2. clean the back wall, sand, and rock from algae

3. change your filter, add Chemipure Blue

5. test your water

6. change your light bulbs

 

Good Luck

[Riddler05]

I completely agree with metrokat. Just make sure to remove the bioballs VERY slowly.

 

The other option is to move the clownfish to a quarantine take and clean the tank really well, get fresh live rock and sand and let the tank recycle.

[joy13]

Start with a water change probably about 20%.

Slowly remove the bio balls keeping in mind that your water level will change when you take them out.

Get a couple of algae eating snails.

Test your water and find out if it is phosphates or nitrates or the combination of both causing the algae.

 

My friend had a bio cube and I wanted to get him a media rack for it instead I got him a 34 solana. You can change this tank around if you do it slowly and gradually. Remember this algae didn't happen overnight so getting rid it won't either.

[jedimasterben]

First, I would do a 100% water change. Remove the clownfish and rock temporarily, place them in a separate bucket with some water, stir the living bajeezus out of your sand, and then siphon out ever droplet of water that you can. Refill the tank with new saltwater, preferably made with at least RO water (DI preferred). If the water is still murky from the sand stirring, again immediately stir the sand like no tomorrow and siphon out every drop of water, refilling again with new saltwater after, repeat this step until the water is clear. Scrub the rock with a stiff brush. Shake it off in the bucket to get as much off of it as you can, then place back into tank along with clownfish.

 

Remove everything from the back of the tank except for the return pump. Purchase quality activated carbon (ROX 0.8 is the best and you need to use the least of) and phosphate remover (Seachem Phosguard is best for running in a filter bag). Also purchase a Seachem 'The bag'. When they come in, place in one tablespoon of carbon, and half a tablespoon of Phosguard into the bag. Close it up and put it in the back of the tank. After two to four weeks, discard the now used carbon and phosguard and put in another tablespoon of carbon and half tablespoon of Phosguard. Over time you will get a 'feel' for how often these need to be changed. If you notice the water being less clear in less time, then add a bit more carbon, if you notice algae starting to pop up, use a bit more phosguard.

 

Water changes will not help to keep the algae away, unlike you'll find regurgitated time after time on this and other websites, unless they are large (50% or more volume). You will rely on your biological filtration that exists in your rock and sand and the carbon/phosguard.

 

 

I would also suggest to make the tank more interesting to keep you wanting it to look its best. You should consider ordering the 'nano pack' of live rock from KP Aquatics, request uncured. It will have macroalgae, hitchhiker snails/crabs/shrimp, clams, barnacles, and possibly even some corals. Anything that comes in on the rock will be very hardy and will not give you issues. The only thing you will need to do other than continue to replace carbon/phosguard is to change the power compact bulbs in the hood every ~6-8 months as the inhabitants will need intensity.

[gulfsurfer101]

You need to be careful when removing anything from a very established tank. You will upset the bacterial balance and cause some major issues. U

I have completely tore down tanks, scrubbed all rocks, and sprayed down the sandbed with a garden hose till the water runs clear, and added everything back in all in a day's work. So long as your rock is kept submerged, you'll skip any kind of cycling. You may notice diatomes for a few days, but nothing major.

[Tenor]

Here are my advice for beginner:

 

1) Get a new husband with marine interest lol.

 

2) Scrub all algae through out with scrubber and toothbrush

 

3) Siphon as much algae as you could up to 50% water change.

 

4) Get a new hang on filter or clean the exiting filter and change filter media

 

5) Order a UV light with build in pump would help.

 

6) 10% water change bi weekly.

 

7) Control feeding will be helpful.

 

8) Clean the light system and remove the salt creep so you wont get shock next time around.

[Lawnman]

6-8 turbo snails will have that tank free of GHA in 10 days. A few waterchanges and it would be back in good shape in 2-3 weeks. Sure your PC light bulbs are 5 years old to.

[Tamberav]

(wtf.. he can't even keep this tiny tank going.. what makes him think he can do a larger one?).. When I opened the tank to install the new fan I was SHOCKED. ITS BAD! IT'S REAL BAD!

 

LOL! Nice post

 

I would just do this the FAST way.

 

Quarantine the clownfish in another container. Can be a 5g bucket, plastic tub, ect. Just anything that hasn't had soap or chemicals in it. Do a partial WC on it every few days and dose some prime so ammonia doesn't build up since it won't be cycled.

 

Throw away the sand. Don't waste your time cleaning it. It is a small tank and you can get a 10lb bag of new dry argonite (doesn't need to be live sand) and Petco for $8. Trust me, $8 is worth the amount of effort to clean old sand.

 

Mix hydrogen peroxide with tank water 50/50. Enough to dip the rocks. Let them sit in it for 5 min. The algae will then be dead in a few days. Otherwise buy new rock. Just depends on your budget.

 

Empty the tank, throw away all the filter stuff you don't need, aka bioballs, sponges, ect. Scrub it all out, vinegar is safe to clean it with. Soak the powerheads, clean the heater, everything... until it looks bran spanking new.

 

Rinse out your new dry sand to get most of the fine particles out (or what you can). Add it to the tank.

 

Fill it up with brand new mixed salt water. Use RODI or distilled water (NO tap water). If you place a plate on the sand to pour the water in, that will keep the sand from going everywhere.

 

Replace the rock.

 

Have test kits ready. See if you get a cycle. ect over the next weekish. When cycle is over or all is in the clear, you can add a CUC. Wait another week, if they are doing well, add the clown back.

 

Order the upgrades you want, media basket, purigen, carbon, something to control phosphate, ect.

 

Be sure to either buy new bulbs or upgrade to LED's. If you want LED's but also want to keep the hood, rapidled sells a kit: http://www.rapidled.com/oceanic-biocube-14-kits-1/

 

If you want something cheap, you can ditch the hood (and that annoying fan) for a par38. Coral compulsion has some on clearance atm:

 

http://coralcompulsion.com/led/PAR-BULBS/24w-custom-clearance

http://coralcompulsion.com/led/PAR-BULBS/20k-full-spectrum-clearance

 

Be sure to top off evaporation with RODI/distilled if you remove the hood. You can always invest in an auto top off at some point.

[MirandaCaine]

I'm 100% with Tamberav! 5 years is a long time for detritus to build up in your sand. Replacement is going to be way easier than cleaning the old stuff... And a good vinager soak and scrub will have everything looking brand new again. Cleaning up an old tank is a lot more work than starting a brand new one, but it's also way more rewarding to see how far you've come! Good luck!

[krisko]

I don't understand why everyones telling her to start over. Obviously the tank has been going for 5 years and is somewhat stable in the condition its in now. How about you just do weekly water changes, take out the bio balls, put new filters in, and get some snails and crabs to clean up the tank a bit.

[Tamberav]

I don't understand why everyones telling her to start over. Obviously the tank has been going for 5 years and is somewhat stable in the condition its in now. How about you just do weekly water changes, take out the bio balls, put new filters in, and get some snails and crabs to clean up the tank a bit.

 

I figure its the algae that is probably keeping it stable. Since its a small tank a restart would be cheap and fairly easy.

 

There are many ways it can be done and I don't think anything anyone posted is wrong. The OP will do whichever one sounds best for her situation.

[farkwar]

I don't understand why everyones telling her to start over. Obviously the tank has been going for 5 years and is somewhat stable in the condition its in now. How about you just do weekly water changes, take out the bio balls, put new filters in, and get some snails and crabs to clean up the tank a bit.

 

Did you read the title?

Marital bliss is the reason.

 

Every stinky rock she scrubs shes going to be adding animosity for her SIGNIFICANT BOTHER.

 

While shopping for a new tank together can be a positive experience.

[JavaJacketOC]

Wonder what she decided to do