Does it need to cycle?

BBRT · 07/31/2012, 04:22 PM

I have a 20 Gallon frag tank, 30lbs live rock, bare bottom with a HOB refuge. I picked up a 40b tank and wanted to switch the tanks over. I bought the 40b used with sand in it. I gave the tank a good vinegar bath and wash the sand with fresh water in some buckets.
My question is, do i need to cycle the tank if i switch all the equipment and put the water from the frag tank in the 40? Will I have a problem with the sand?

bertoni · 07/31/2012, 10:32 PM

The sand likely will be clean enough not to cause any problems. Moving live rock sometimes causes enough die-off to spike the ammonia, but that's rare. Most likely you will be fine, but I would have some Prime or Amquel and water for changes, just in case.

SushiGirl · 07/31/2012, 10:44 PM

Freshwater will have killed the beneficial bacteria in the sand, but you still have it in the rock & clean sand is better than used. Used water won't really do anything bacteria-wise. You won't really have any die off if you move the rock directly from one tank to the other immediately. As bertoni said, just be prepared.

bertoni · 07/31/2012, 10:52 PM

Some species, especially some sponges, can die on contact with air. Most often, there's little or no issue, but I wouldn't say it's zero risk.

07/31/2012, 04:22 PM	#1
BBRT Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: villa Park, IL Posts: 130	Does it need to cycle? I have a 20 Gallon frag tank, 30lbs live rock, bare bottom with a HOB refuge. I picked up a 40b tank and wanted to switch the tanks over. I bought the 40b used with sand in it. I gave the tank a good vinegar bath and wash the sand with fresh water in some buckets. My question is, do i need to cycle the tank if i switch all the equipment and put the water from the frag tank in the 40? Will I have a problem with the sand? __________________ DT: 57 Gallon Rimless, 30 Gallon acrylic sump, Radion LED, MP-10, sea swirl, Tunze Osmolator, SWC 160 skimmer, TLF reactors, BRS dosing pumps. Frag Tank: 40 gallon, 20 Gal sump, Radion LED, Reef D

07/31/2012, 10:32 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 68,505	The sand likely will be clean enough not to cause any problems. Moving live rock sometimes causes enough die-off to spike the ammonia, but that's rare. Most likely you will be fine, but I would have some Prime or Amquel and water for changes, just in case. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/31/2012, 10:44 PM	#3
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,047	Freshwater will have killed the beneficial bacteria in the sand, but you still have it in the rock & clean sand is better than used. Used water won't really do anything bacteria-wise. You won't really have any die off if you move the rock directly from one tank to the other immediately. As bertoni said, just be prepared. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

07/31/2012, 10:52 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 68,505	Some species, especially some sponges, can die on contact with air. Most often, there's little or no issue, but I wouldn't say it's zero risk. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni