Old Tank Syndrome?

[MizTanks]

What exactly is it? When to look for it?

[MizTanks]

Yeah I saw that too. 41yrs...holy ****!! LOL

[thefishgirl]

Old Tank Syndrome... aka Grass is Greener on the other Side? LOL

[jimsflies]

I think I saw the 41 year old tank pics...if its the one I'm thinking of, it was looking a bit rough.

I think the old tank syndrome is more an issue with deep sand beds that get loaded with detritus (insufficient sand dwelling livestock to keep up with the waste load) or reefs that use crushed coral as substrate. Old tank syndrom manifests itself with contant algae issues and water quality that can't be solved by addressing every other normal problem.

[larryandlaura]

Old tank syndrome I thought was back in the day when they layered substrate and it built up detritus.

[jimsflies]

I think you are referring to a plenum. It's related for sure. The key is substrate over loaded with detritus.

[dlhirst]

Jim, I know "deep sand bed" usually means six+ inches, so I don't think I need to worry about that with just the two inches I have. And yes, we are still talking about SAND! But, what kind of sand-dwelling creatures would I WANT to have down there? I know I have (at least) a couple of those nasty worms rooting around. I have a brittle star, but I don't believe it ever leaves its reef rock home save to stick out its arms. I never got hermits, cuz I didn't want to deal with the larger homes they'd need, and I think they might eat my snails. So really, I have nothing turning over the fields. Should I be concerned?

[MizTanks]

Seeing the main idea behind old tank syndrome has to do with the sand bed. How then would I clean mine up, out side of more snails? Without sucking up all the sand?
My substrate doesn't get stirred up much. I do have several tiny nassarius but that's it. I'm concerned about buildup!

[dputt88]

many use an adjustable sand siphon. it allows you to adjust the flow so the sand bed gets tumbles but only the finest material is siphoned out, removing detritus but not the sand. personally i have not used one, but basically because i forget to buy one every time im at the LFS.

if you are going this route it is suggested that you only do portions of the sand bed at one time, preventing the possible escape of excess detritus or a cycle.

---------- Post added at 04:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 PM ----------

oh and the siphon is way not recommended for DSB.

[jimsflies]

I started keeping pistol shrimp a couple years ago. I have two in my biocube. They rework the sand bed on a daily basis between the two of them. I have two rock pillars in my tank and they each live under one. In my tank that's About 8 inches apart.

The downside is they can bury your corals pretty easily if placed on the bottom

[MizTanks]

I returned the Star. Didn't want it starving to death :)

Maybe I'll get a couple more Nasarrius snails then. Thanks guys!

[dlhirst]

I'm sold! How many nassarius snails should I have in a 55g tank?

[jimsflies]

No love for pistol shrimp?

[MizTanks]

I still have my Randall's Pistol shrimp. 3+ years now :) Thinking about getting him a new buddy since the Tangaroa has passed away.

[jimsflies]

I agree with chort that sand sifting goby would be a good critter to keep the sand bed active in a larger tank (55 for example).
MizTanks, add another pistol shrimp. I think your sand bed should get plenty of action. I've got two different species so they don't shack up together (or fight).

[dlhirst]

I had a cool little goby for a while. And he disappeared. Then I had another. And he vanished too. Then, I got rid of my sally crabs, so maybe it's safe to put gobies in the tank again...

Any chance a strawberry crab, or small emerald crabs would be equally bloodthirsty?

Thanks for all the thoughts! (And sorry for muddying your post, Jamie.)

[MizTanks]

Don't be sorry!! I love these kinds of threads. Lots of random input and tons of food for thought.
Personally any nocturnal feeder like certain crabs could pose a danger to our smaller gobys.

[vega15]

My tank has been up now for about 7 years. I have a constant Phos issue...hovers around .20-.25 ppm. I have tried all the usual methods of removal. I.E. Feeding less, Phos Ban, Carbon, Large Water Changes weekly etc..

I do have a deep 3-4 inch crushed coral bed in my DT and a 5-6 inch deep Crushed Coral in my Fuge. In a last ditch effort, I am now removing the CC from my DT first then my fuge. Tanking it slow but have to hope this will stop/slow the die off of corals that I am experiencing.

All other parameters are in line so I am REALLY hopping this does the trick. If not, then I will be taking the tank down. :eek:

Any suggestions you guys have to share would be appreciated!

[MizTanks]

Have u tested your make up water for Po4? What are your nitrate readings in your DT? Just go very slow when removing the substrate, small sections at a time.

[vega15]

Have u tested your make up water for Po4? What are your nitrate readings in your DT? Just go very slow when removing the substrate, small sections at a time.

MizTanks. Good call on the make up water. Yes I have tested it, the highest the Po4 is at that point is .02. All other parameters or right where they should be.

I am taking it very slow trying to avoid a tank cycle. I will keep an eye on my corals to make sure there are no adverse reactions from the changing out.

Any suggestions on what and how much substrate to use once I have the CC out?

Thanks!

[vega15]

Chris,

Do you have a link for the Special Grade Sand? I have heard of the Sugar but not the special.

Thanks!:snorkel: