Getting back in the game

[Simona586]

okay so ive been out of the salt water game for about a year and a half, and my cousin has a bio cube that he doesnt want and is going to give to me! so i went over there and he totally let this thing go! he took the rock out and this is what it looks like! I know he should have the yellow tang in there! so that will be taken out but im worried about the algae in it. what do i need to do to get rid of it and prevent it??

[Chris]

Scrape it out, add rock, probably time to change the light bulbs, water change (with good ro/di water).... add chaeto/ fuge to the back chamber take the tang out, which I know u said u plan to do, but that will really lighten the bioload and probably help with preventing the algae from popping back up. Im kinda surprised its that bad with the tang in there really lol

[Simona586]

okay i just didnt wanna get the tank and this stuff not go away! now he had that next to a huge bay window with alot of sun light would that have made it worse or does that not matter? because im putting it in my bed room in the basement... and would the bio cube uv sterlizer help at all?

[Chris]

Yeah the Bay window doesnt help for sure.... I wouldnt really use the uv but initially if you already have it it may not be a horrible idea.

[Simona586]

okay cool thanks for the help! my girlfriend will probably take pics of us taking it down and transporting and hooking it back up!

[Chris]

I would scrape it and try to get as much algae out just before you move it (and suck the algae out when u are removing water to move it) and do a nice water change at the time of the move. Maybe save a few gallons (like a 5 gallon bucket full w/ the fish in it) before you start scraping to put back in with the mostly new water but thats about all I would save. Goodluck and welcome back!

[Simona586]

okay sounds good!! thanks for the help!!