Hello all, I have just bought a house with a 225g built into the wall. The tank is in bad condition and needs completely re-done. Its covered in green hair algae, the mh are probably very old, salinity is at 1.012, plumbing is crazy, etc. First question is about lighting. Now there is 2x250w mh w/ 4x110w T12s. I'm going to add 2x175w mh from my old tank. Would that be enough lighting? The tank is 2.5' deep. Also, how far apart do the mh need to be? They are all mogul base with reflectors. My other question is, should I try to use the live rock or scrap it? I is my understanding that the algae will grow from phosphates and nitrates locked into the rock. I now have all the rock removed and into trash cans of saltwater, covered so no light gets in with a power head running.  Here is the equipment i have 225 aquarium 72''x24''x30'' w/ dual overflows 2x250w mh - needs new bulbs 2x175w mh 4x110w T12 - needs new bulbs Reef Dynamics INS180 Protein Skimmer Chiller R/O DI 55 gallon aquarium as sump + aqueon proflex model 2 sump koralia 2,3, and 4 powerheads 2 unknown power heads 2 400 w heaters lots of live rock but coved in green hair algae from previous owner 4 diff sump pumps, not sure the gph Any help will be greatly appreciated, thanks
I wouldn't necessarily add the 175 watt metal halides to the tank as they do not penetrate vary deep the lights you have should be sufficient as long as the bulbs get replaced as for the hair algae I would put like 30-40 dwarf hermit crabs they do a fantastic job on cleaning rock and keeping it clean and make sure to do a water change to get the nutrient levels  that are fueling your algae growth and make sure your photo period isn't to long I would run for like 8 hrs with all that light I would also like to say that these are only guidelines and there are many ways to get the same results some of the things that work for some may not work for others
The first thing Was it a fish only or a reef? If it was a reef then I would do a super large water change (like all of it) and get your salinity back up where it needs to be. After about a week or two without the lights on I would then add a very tough clean up crew mostly hermits as mentioned above. I have a very similar sized tank and I run three metal halides and have found that it is enough light for most sps to grow at a depth of 25 inches from the surface so unless that is what your shooting for I would just replace the bulbs and leave it as is. As for the phosphate get you a reactor and fill it with GFO and run it for a month or so to help remove the phosphates and maybe get a reactor for carbon as well. It looks like you have already taken the rock out so you could just drain the tank down to the sand bed or an inch from it and replumb it as you see fit and then fill it back up when your done. Good luck and if you have any more questions feel free to give me a call after 6:00pm (501)920-6012Â
If you need any help getting the thing back into shape and live in any form or fashion close to conway let me know.
Ok, thanks. I drained the tank down to about 3'' and re-plumbed it, filled it back up with fresh saltwater within the past couple days. I also removed the lighting for the time. thanks all for the help
Looks likea perfect opportunity to experiment with Vodka/alcohol dosing to me... i say experiment although there are many well documented claims that it works well. I myself have been tinkering with it over the last year. all i can say is i will continue to use it. i work up to a max dose of 1cc/10gals, and have never killed anything.  you need a Good protien skimmer and follow above post and ill bet my next  paycheck instead of 6 months or longer of fighting nutrients, the alcohol will cut it  in half or better. you have nothing to loose and everything to gain! The Practice of Alcohol Dosing IS NOT a Replacement for Good Reef Husbandry. However it Is a Good Resolution/Catalyst when trying to Return a system Back to Proper Conditions/Parameters. I know this is a Very Contraversial subject and Many Frown at the mention of it. Fortunatly it is well documented so read, ask questions and Try It! Ill be glad to share any information or experience ive had... Cheers!!! madcat
