To cycle or not to cycle, that is the question. (1 Viewer)

[KrAs]

I am getting ready to break down my 55 gallon tank and set it back up for seahorses and do some much needed upgrades in the system setup. All of the fish will be moving on as well as most of the anthelia. During this I want to fix a major mistake and replace the crushed coral substrate with sand I will however be seeding the sand with part of the upper layer of crushed coral. I will be keeping a large portion of the water, the fuge will be moving to another, better, enclosure and the live rock will be in a holding tank with a power head. Once set back up, should I wait to add the corals back in (mushrooms, zoas, xenia… nothing too tough) or will I be able to get them back in during the setup process. I guess my main question is, will I have to cycle the tank, or will I be able to move forward since the only truly “new” thing that will be going into the tank is the sand. Your opinion(s) are welcome (and needed). Thanks.

 

[ShaneV]

Your tank will likely go through a mini-cycle. The corals you have listed should handle it just fine.

In my tank leaks Ive always replaced most of the sand when moving to a new tank and have never lost any coral due to the change of tanks.

 

[hobogato]

like shane said, your tank will probably cycle, but the ammonia and nitrite spikes will probably be so low and short that you wont notice them. the nitrates may run high on you for a while, and be prepared for a cyano or diatom cycle because you will probably realease some phosphates from the crushed coral when you move it. if you run carbon and maybe phosphate scrubber like phosban for a couple of weeks, it will help with the cyano. also, run your skimmer wet for a few days to help things along.

 

[KrAs]

Another question...What type of sand should I get? Just the plain old dry sand or something else? I want to add a few things that will play in the sand maybe a sand sifting snails.

 

[KrAs]

Phosban and carbon are not a problem, but what do mean by run the skimmer wet?

run your skimmer wet for a few days to help things along.

 

[Guest]

Phosban and carbon are not a problem, but what do mean by run the skimmer wet?

run your skimmer wet for a few days to help things along.

Increase the air so that it produces extra bubbles and flow. You'll have to empty your cup more, but you'll get more gunk out.

 

[KrAs]

hmmm I use an AquaC remora pro it doesn't have an air adjustment :? hopefully it will be enough.

 

[landfish]

On the AquaC remora you make the adjustment by moving the collection cup up or down

 

[KrAs]

On the AquaC remora you make the adjustment by moving the collection cup up or down

DOH! I should've know that. Thank you for waking me up.