starting over

[jc]

I'm overwhelmed with mojano anemones and I want to start over with dry rock. I'm also thinking about doing sps only except for my gigas clam. I don't want to crash my system and I was hoping for some advice. What I was thinking is to sell the corals I don't want anymore. Then I would buy the dry rock and let it soak for a week or two. Then I will cut off all of the coral I want to keep and put them in a container. After that remove the infested rock and replace it with the new rock. I would also like to replace the sand but I don't have to if it will be too much of a shock. I would prefer to totally empty the system because I have some ugly palys growing all over the overflow cover. What do you all think?

[FireWater]

It's doable. I would think that if you are that infested then going with a total rebuild would be the best.

Any chance of setting up a quarantine or other smaller tank now to hold all the coral you want to keep like you said. Then start the rebuild and give it time to cycle out.
I have been reading up on using quick cycle methods. I plan on using it for the new 120.

[ErikH]

Jacob, I just finished with my rebuild the other day. I moved all of my rock over to my 100g tub (which you can borrow after I sell my rock) and moved my fish over at the same time. I used existing water and rock in the tub. In the tank I used all new rock and sand (Marco rocks has a GREAT deal on sugar fine, just wash it really well!) let it circulate for a few days over a month, and added my fish and anemones. I did lose a lot of fish, I turned down my powerhead (MP40) one night and I think the lack of flow kept the water from being aerated properly. My melanarus wrasse was alive, on it's side and breathing heavily. I cranked the powerhead back up, and everything was fine from that point forward. Just keep it well aerated, lit properly, and keep a heater on it. You'd be amazed at how low the temps can dip, even right now.

[Bill S]

Jacob,

Here's what I would do:

Find someone to hold your keepers - I'd probably cut them off of the bases, and remount them on dry rock/plugs. Then get rid of the rest. Take your existing rock, and bleach and dry it. Then put it back in. Once you've completely recycled the tank, bust the frags off of the new bases, and remount them again. I'd also set up a quarantine tank at the same time. Run them thru it, before going into your tank.

I feel your pain. I'll never use live rock again.