Fish-less reef?

[TRDfan]

I'm going to upgrade my tank within the next 3-4 months and I was thinking about selling all my livestock and starting fresh. If I take out all my life stock now, would there be any negative effects on my system? A fish less system for 6 months or so

My 65

 

[marrone]

You would need a source of ammonia to keep the bacteria levels from dying off. If you keep just the corals then just make sure that you're feeding the tank somewhat. The big down side is some corals mayn't be as colorful, as they need some of the waste products.

 

[TRDfan]

If I take the fish out, I don't plan on stocking this tank again. Would there be a negative effect on the bacteria dying off?

 

[lrasser]

I just went through this. I removed all my fish for 2 months. About a month in all my softies and LPS started to shrivel. I was feeding my cleanup crew and coral but it still wasnt enough. My large brain even started to bleach. It's hard to keep nutrients up when going fish-less but can be done.

 

[TRDfan]

Yikes.....sorry to hear that. Hopefully everything came back to full health. I guess I'll keep my livestock then

 

[lrasser]

Fish went back in a few days ago so time will tell. Things have at least stopped getting worse. It was interesting to see. I've be toying with this type of situation since I would like to run a fishless QT tank for coral. It's almost pointless. Dont want to put a fish in it since I want to QT for ich as well. If the coral has ich on it the fish will get infected and defeat the purpose. If i go fishless it's a nutrients challenge.

 

[sunny]

I ran my reef fallow for 8 months. No fish and lots and lots and lots of SPS. There were also clams and shrimps. I fed the shrimps a cube of mysis twice a week. My water volume is ~650 gallon. There was no ill effect to any coral.

Sunny

 

[TRDfan]

Wow... I guess each system is different?

 

[lrasser]

I can agree with Sunny. My sps did great. They like the low nutrients.

 

[sunny]

Wow... I guess each system is different?

Not really. No fish - fallow. You have to keep up on husbandry..

 

[oh207]

I ran my 65g fishless for 4 months from Nov to March last year. It was the best growth I've had with LPS corals. Everything took off, including amphipods, copepods, and worms. The tank was bustling with life.
I had autofeeder feed pellets twice a week. I also added 5ml of selcon every other week. I ran carbon/gfo and continue with monthly 20% water change during this time.

 

[TRDfan]

Not really. No fish - fallow. You have to keep up on husbandry..

Fallow? Not sure what that means

 

[TRDfan]

I ran my 65g fishless for 4 months from Nov to March last year. It was the best growth I've had with LPS corals. Everything took off, including amphipods, copepods, and worms. The tank was bustling with life.
I had autofeeder feed pellets twice a week. I also added 5ml of selcon every other week. I ran carbon/gfo and continue with monthly 20% water change during this time.

Fed pellets? For clean up crew?

 

[Francesco.mancini]

As long as you feed your corals you will be okay. ....reef roid, oyster feast , and if your worried about bacteria dying off you can dose zeo food.. Which feeds bacteria and corals

 

[sunny]

Fallow? Not sure what that means

Fallow = Without any Fish

 

[jackson6745]

You would need a source of ammonia to keep the bacteria levels from dying off. If you keep just the corals then just make sure that you're feeding the tank somewhat. The big down side is some corals mayn't be as colorful, as they need some of the waste products.

Exactly!

I've done this with a 65 gallon tank and it becomes quite sterile, very fast. Coral feedings and amino supplements can help keep the corals from fading, and add a nutrient level to keep good bacterial populations. It can work, but IME it's not as good as having fish creating ammonia in your system.

 

[TRDfan]

Sounds to me that it *might* be more headache than what it's worth

 

[TRDfan]

Fallow = Without any Fish

Didn't know that....thanks

 

[oh207]

Fed pellets? For clean up crew?

Yes, sinking pellets. I prefer to say, feed the tank. Everything ate, hermit crabs, snails, shrimps, and starfish.