Major Catastrophe, Need Help

HI
Just had a major disaster with my reef tank. I was out of the country
for 7 weeks and the person that was supposed to take care of the tank
didn't.
When I returned home, the sump pumps had stopped and the tank was
loaded with red algae which also is covering all the live rock, quit
thick, about 100 pounds worth as well as the glass. All the coral died
as well as the few fish, crabs and snails I had in there. There are a
few small starfish around yet.
My question is, how can I get rid of the red algae on the rocks
without destroying any of the life in the rocks.I do want to set it up
again when I move in a few months.
Thanks

Red algae: If its slime, Chemi-Clean works over night, its reef safe too

wrote:

My question is, how can I get rid of the red algae on the rocks
without destroying any of the life in the rocks.I do want to set it up
again when I move in a few months.

Set up a cannister filter; perhaps a hang-on model like the Hot Magnum. Just put
a layer of filter floss in it. Then take a toothbrush to the rock. Get the algae
circulating in the water, the filter removes it, you scrub some more, etc.. Mix
up some water to refill the tank; you'll be emptying the filter out several times.

George Patterson
Worry doesn't improve the future; it just ruins the present.

And then after you do that, you will need to do some
water changes, as the nutrient levels in the tank
are now very high. It will take a few months for
things to get back to normal, as the balance is now
messed up. But be patient, and you will be able to
rebuild.

Wayne Sallee



George Patterson wrote on 12/16/2007 8:25 PM:
wrote:

My question is, how can I get rid of the red algae on the rocks
without destroying any of the life in the rocks.I do want to set it up
again when I move in a few months.

Set up a cannister filter; perhaps a hang-on model like the Hot Magnum.
Just put a layer of filter floss in it. Then take a toothbrush to the
rock. Get the algae circulating in the water, the filter removes it, you
scrub some more, etc.. Mix up some water to refill the tank; you'll be
emptying the filter out several times.

George Patterson
Worry doesn't improve the future; it just ruins the present.

Wayne, in the OP he wrote that all of the Corals and fish are dead, so
why not just empty the tank and begin with fresh mix and start all over.
Why try and salvage it? or did I miss something?

Because there's usually stuff still alive. But a
100% water change would be fine. Just make sure the
salinity is the same so as not to kill the starfish.
And let the new water age 24 hours before the 100%
water change.

Wayne Sallee



Peter Pan wrote on 12/16/2007 10:20 PM:
Wayne, in the OP he wrote that all of the Corals and fish are dead, so
why not just empty the tank and begin with fresh mix and start all over.
Why try and salvage it? or did I miss something?