Have to leave for a while, should i sell or store it??

[kawacycle2]

I just got called back to active duty and have to return to Iraq again. I was on active duty for 3 years and I've been out for almost 2 years. The bummer is that i only had one more semester to go in college, but oh well. I'm just wondering what i should do with my tank. I have a 90 gallon reef tank with only a couple fish. Will i be able to just let the live rock/sand dry out and die and then in a couple years just re-seed it when i get back? Or do you think i should sell all of the contents and just buy new rock/sand later? I plan on keeping all other equipment in storage. I'm still not sure what i'm going to do with my fish so they soon might be for sale, or even free to a good home. I'm waiting to hear if a friend wants them first.

Chris

[keto]

I would be interested in the rock and some of the livestock if you want to sell.

[medic29]

I don't know what others think, but personally I think I would keep the rock and possibly at leats half of the sand if you have a place to store it. But I would at least keep the rock. It is fairly expensive to replace, especially that much. You could box it up and let it dry out, then boil it when you get back, then put it in a tub or container with some live rock, power head, etc. and let it cook for a while to become live again.

Bummer you got called back up and can't complete your schooling. Take care of yourself over there.

[lglamb]

this might be a stretch, but you might see if someone would
be willing to "adopt" your tank until you get back.

Maybe, at least someone might be able/willing to hold your rock
in a sump until then. Win-Win.

I'd lean to keeping the rock, even if in dry storage. But then, I'm
cheap. It would be an expensive component to have to replace.

Good luck, and be safe.

Lowell