Cycle

[bobbyg04]

So I posted a bout a day or 2 ago about how I replaced my live rock with dry rock for a new look. When I did it took the water out and left about 5-10 gallons in the tank (I have a 32 gallon biocube). I have 2 clowns, a cleaner shrimp, and about a half of a handful of crabs and snails combined. I added a bottle of bacteria and kept an eye on my ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. I did the process of changing the rock out about 5 days ago. I haven't had an ammonia or nitrite spike but my nitrates are at 5 ppm. Is the tank technically cycled ? I didn't clean the back chambers or anything like that plus I had live sand so I didn't know if that could of helped the cycle go fast (if there was one at all).

 

[brandon429]

to manage that type of transition all you need to test for is ammonia. if api ammonia is all you have, find a way to get a confirming test reading of some sort to base along with its reading as an average. your sand is likely enough active surface area to takeover from the rock that was removed, so its not a surprise if you skipped the new cycle.

if your ammonia readings are zero day by day, you have. Be very suspect of any reading that sustains at .25, have a backup confirmation reading handy if that event occurs. add some of the old rock back if it does. my lfs has fish tanks that are sand only, stand alone systems where the sand is the sole nitrification housing, exactly as you describe and this is for 20 clowns or more.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

if there was one at all).

Keep in mind. The cycle is the processing of ammonia. If you didnt have one the ammoina builds up and the fish die. Thus, test for ammonia. You wont see it with your eyes.