Major tank overhaul advice needed

[GaryP]

I would also get some carbon and phosphate absorber started as soon as possible. Blue leg hermits are a good next step too. It will take a lot of them for a major algae bloom. I would suggest one for every 2-4 gal. as a starting point. Check with the local LFS for the best price on a cleaner package. I know a few have packages as well as some of the online vendors, CrabsnFrags for example.

[TexasTodd]

IMO good advice here. Going BB won't make it easier. It's actually supposed to be more work, but cleaner.

If you went bare bottom and then continued without time for your system; it would get MUCH worse than it is now.

What is your flow rate in system gallons turned over per hour now? Bumping this up will help you skim more and settle more out in your sump to be taken out.

TT

[jaded]

baby steps... It sounds like you've got a great handle on things. It also sounds like your doing the right thing, just go slowly! You wont get this back too it's earlier condition in the first couple of water changes, so avoid major changes. What I mean by this is don't start injecting the aptasia, syphoning all the sand at once, moving rocks and (of course) DONT ADD FISH OR CORALS!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

I agree with option #1, but go to the LFS and buy several LARGE buckets of patience ;)

Don't know your feeding schedule, but if you can cut WAY back for 2-4 weeks, that will help reduce the growth of everything, including the Aptasia. Someone else mentioned flow, if your turnover is 10-15x or less, add a few powerheads during this period to keep things suspended in the water column and flowing into your filtration.

Let us know how it goes!