New sand/established rock & cycle

[Flatlander]

I,m in the process of setting up a 50g long tank to play around with a plenum again. Ran one with success in the mid '90,s.

Anyways this post is not to argue plenums versus sand beds or bare bottom, which my cube is.

I have the first couple inches of 5mm crushed coral, which came from a previous tank. Very well washed and cleaned, likely phosphate loaded but thats fine. Then the top layer is several inches of 2mm aragonite, brand new and rinsed. Still dirty as crap though. :lol:

I realize the sand bed will take months to develop its proper bacteria levels and likely at least that long for the nitrate reducing capability to function.

Wondering if after running it for a week or so, if moving my stock from my cube will be a problem. Would the cycling sand create a typical cycle problem? Or would my pretty large amount of live rock, some well established for many years handle any cycle?

I think it would but who knows. If one adds a decent size sand bed to an established tank or puts a new sand bed in a tank after a move or tank change, seems to be not much problems. More trouble appears to come from disturbing old sand and/or reusing it without a lot of cleaning but I have done both before.

Anyways, looking for thoughts on this.

Thanks

[Dalbery]

You are still going to see a mild cycle. I can't explain the dynamics of what's going on but I have done this a few times and always have had another cycle.

[Flatlander]

So you dont think my rock will compensate for the sand cycle?

Thanks

[AaronM]

Just thoughts...i don't reckon you'd see much of a cycyle. You've used the old sand to seed the new sand. The new sand doesn't have any die off really. Maybe a little die off from the old sand coz of messing around...

I reckon you're right in that the established rock should deal with any mini cycle quick smart...

Can't you just test for ammonia to tell if you've triggered a mini cycle?

[Flatlander]

Just thoughts...i don't reckon you'd see much of a cycyle. You've used the old sand to seed the new sand. The new sand doesn't have any die off really. Maybe a little die off from the old sand coz of messing around...

I reckon you're right in that the established rock should deal with any mini cycle quick smart...

Can't you just test for ammonia to tell if you've triggered a mini cycle?


Yes I could test for ammonia. If I remember how. :lol: Have not owned an ammonia test kits for 25yrs. I suppose thats the only way but the reef will be moved then, so if it starts producing ammonia, I kind of up the creek.

The old sand was rinsed clean with tap water. Been out in a shed in a bucket for a year. No seeding from it but my rock has lots of critters which may help.

[414driver]

Did the same on a 30 gal cube...old washed sand....established live rock. I put the critters in...had a mild cycle but everything made it fine!

[Flatlander]

Did the same on a 30 gal cube...old washed sand....established live rock. I put the critters in...had a mild cycle but everything made it fine!

Thanks. I remember moving tanks and sand before, many years ago but dont recall doing any ammonia measure and never lost anything ever.

I think Aaron makes a good point about it being no die off from the sand, so limited cycle as you guys say.

I will have a fair bit of rock in there to, more than will be for the log run. I plan on removing some after I know the sand is active.