Old Tank Syndrome - fact or fiction

[cowboy572]

I just wanted to pick some brains of the old salty's out there on this subject. Is old tank syndrome real or is it a myth? The reason I ask is I have been fighting what I think are diatoms for the last year now. I am finally making some headway but still it comes back days after doing a water change. After some discussion with some members we concluded I might have old tank syndrome. Some of the sand and rock I currently have date back to my first tank back in 2007. As old as it might be, it could be causing my issues. Well I stopped to see an old salty to seek his advice and to seek a second opinion. I told him what was going on with my tank, and after a doing some quick online research he found that OTS is just a myth. His suggestion was to shake up or shock my system by adding some live rock or live sand from another tank to diversify my microfauna. I already had plans to take out my old sand and replace it. Adding rock is not an issue either. My question is has anyone done any other research on this and what's their take on this?

[SABOB]

Dealt with similar issues after 7-8 years,Diatoms then Dinoflagelates.Ran its course, but think Diamond Goby helped


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[alton]

My longest tank setup was 10 years with my 200. When I moved everything over to the 300 the nitrates were around two. I forgot how much trouble a new tank was until my first two years of my 300, since everything has finally settled in.

[Bill S]

Personally, I think OTS is more "I got tired of it and I've let the maintenance slide". But I could be wrong - lord knows, I'm wrong a lot!

I would step up some bigger water changes. If you have a shallow sand bed, maybe siphon parts of it out and replace. Add a big clean up crew - they tend to die off over the years. Just don't do too much at a time, and monitor/test during the process. Don't need to crash things...

[LuckySingh]

Longest tank I had was for 6 years. Personally when ever I move tank I dont move live sand . I usually either dry it and wash it out really good or use a new dry sand . Sand usually can cause major problems if not maintained well .

[Zephyr Aquatics]

Personally, I think OTS is more "I got tired of it and I've let the maintenance slide". But I could be wrong - lord knows, I'm wrong a lot!

I would step up some bigger water changes. If you have a shallow sand bed, maybe siphon parts of it out and replace. Add a big clean up crew - they tend to die off over the years. Just don't do too much at a time, and monitor/test during the process. Don't need to crash things...

Well put big bill!

[cowboy572]

Between work, school, and family I have let my maintenance slide sometimes. But when I do, I do big water changes, 18 gallons on a 150, afterwards. I will admit I do need a larger clean up crew, but I need one that works nights because I have a green bird wrasse. Do you think flow might be an issue as well? Are tall tanks, 48x24x31, harder to get flow in compared to you standard "brick" tanks? Currently I have One MP40 and two K4's which have seen better days for water movement.

Lucky, I agree my issue is something with my sand. Between the three previous tanks, and my current forth all sand was thoroughly rinsed before going back into the tank. The million dollar question is, and I cannot get an answer too comes from my third tank. I bought a 90 used that came with sand. I do not know the history of that sand. But ever since I mixed my sand with that sand I have been getting diatoms.

[Zack]

Between work, school, and family I have let my maintenance slide sometimes. But when I do, I do big water changes, 18 gallons on a 150, afterwards. I will admit I do need a larger clean up crew, but I need one that works nights because I have a green bird wrasse. Do you think flow might be an issue as well? Are tall tanks, 48x24x31, harder to get flow in compared to you standard "brick" tanks? Currently I have One MP40 and two K4's which have seen better days for water movement.

Lucky, I agree my issue is something with my sand. Between the three previous tanks, and my current forth all sand was thoroughly rinsed before going back into the tank. The million dollar question is, and I cannot get an answer too comes from my third tank. I bought a 90 used that came with sand. I do not know the history of that sand. But ever since I mixed my sand with that sand I have been getting diatoms.

Is a 12% water change a big change? Most people say a good number for regular changes is around 10-15% even up to 20% weekly water change. Could it possibly be that your water changes may be too small for what your tank has? (curious not trying to sound rude)

[OrionN]

Some of my rock have been in my tank for almost 20 years and they are fine. My think sand bed does get stirred and vacuum one in a long while. This keep everything growing well and no problem. The sand does get a lot of detritus and organic settle in it and need to be clean.
OTS is a myth. Water change and make sure that the sand is well care for is all you need to keep your tank stable and doing well.
BTW, my oldest tank is my 65 at the office and it is going well after 13 years. I am about to have to redo the tank for the third time. The coral grow so much that I need to remove the rock with coral growth and sell it to the LFS and just re-frag and re-glue to newer top rock.