Will adding Caribsea create a cycle?

[Turd Ferguson]

My tank has been setup for 2 months and all is well.

I came across a bag of live sand and was wondering that if added, should I expect an ammonia or nitrite spike?

thanks

 

[old salt reefer]

No. The so called live sand contains bacteria that process ammonia and nitrite. It is not a source of ammonia or nitrite. The other living things(like fish) in the aquarium are the source.

 

[rkpetersen]

It's not that clear to me. If some or all of the nitrifying bacteria and other microorganisms in your bag of sand are actually dead, for whatever reason, then adding that sand to a tank, especially a newish tank, could possibly result in enough ammonia to register. If I were to do this, I'd start by adding small quantities and watch for any issues. Check ammonia levels or add an Ammonia Alert.

 

[Spare time]

You could get some ammonia as there are probably some dead things in the bag and rapidly adding oxygen would let those scavenging bacteria break it down. If you are worried, you can just do dry sand or a bottle of bacteria (or even something like seachem prime)

 

[old salt reefer]

I will tell you this much rinse the sand really good(tap water fine) before putting it in(this will not kill the bacteria on it) no matter what the bag says.

 

[stanlalee]

It won't cause a cycle (nor will dry sand) BUT it took 4 days to clear without rinsing. I would not add it to an aquarium with livestock for that reason

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I will tell you this much rinse the sand really good(tap water fine) before putting it in(this will not kill the bacteria on it) no matter what the bag says.

Thanks for the reply. what would be the reasoning behind rinsing with tap water ? Are there nasties that need to be flushed?

my preference would have been to buy untreated sand, but this was all that was available so I jumped on it.

 

[old salt reefer]

Just a LOT of DUST(very fine particles)that seems like if you just look at your gravel get stirred up. You get a wrasse that sleeps in the gravel at night-DUST cloud, you move a rock-DUST cloud, etc.