Cycling question

[JTrigger]

So after my tank crashed I spent the whole next day with a friend setting it back up.. it's back up and running, things look good, just barren... I ended up taking out about 75% of the water, left the sandbed and rock... added new RO with salt and took some readings:

pH 8.0
NH4 1.0
NO3 0
NO2 0

So does this mean it's just starting a new cycle or will it have to cycle again despite having the same DSB/LR or? I'm just a lil confused.

JT

[christyf5]

There could be some residual ammonia in old water you left in the tank?? Or perhaps some die off in the rock and sandbed?? I would think you're going to see a small cycle anyways, even after starting over.

Christy :)

[Aquattro]

Almost a complete cycle, I would think. Did you add RO to the tank then add salt? That would have killed any remaining bacteria in the sand. Just take some readings over the next week and see what the NH3/NO2 does. When it's gone you're good to go.
Just an FYI, NH4 will be almost non existent in pH 8.0 solution, with most being NH3.

[JTrigger]

I added the salt to RO in a zillion of those arrowhead jugs and let em sit 24 hrs before I added it into my tank. Guess I'll just keep monitoring the progress thru the week.

JT

[JTrigger]

Follow up question...

May 26th: pH 8.0, ammonia 1.0, nitrates/ites 0.0
May 27th: pH 8.0, ammonia 1.0, nitrates/ites 0.0
May 28th: pH 8.0, ammonia 0.0, nitrates/ites 0.0

So can a mini cycle not result in any nitrates/nitrites? I did drop in some caulerpa yesterday, but didn't think it would have any affect.

JT