advice to help prevent a cycle in a tank move

blkhwk · #1 03-20-2011, 04:47 PM

Im no expert but from what ive read its the sand thats the problem,stirring up the sand will release nitrates and gasses and create a spike.most ppl start with new or cleaned and thorough rinsed sand.

The Grizz · #2 03-20-2011, 04:57 PM

Like BWA stated if you have to reuse the sand THOUROUGHLY clean the sand. I have done this a couple time's with about 30 lbs of sand, it takes a long time to do it properly. I used a large fish net and only did 2 cups at a time under very hot water.

viperfish · #3 03-20-2011, 05:04 PM

+1 on the sand. Some good info here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lrshippingfaqs.htm

Cranky When Wet · #4 03-20-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

+1 on the sand. Some good info here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lrshippingfaqs.htm

+1 for WetWebMedia.com !!!!

Do a search of only the site for "moving live sand"

I personally feel moving an old sand bed is dangerous as there's always a lot of die off with corresponding cycle...

You could buy non-live sand (clean) and seed it from the old sand (take a few cups over)... but,

in the end it's all about patience........................

Bunny >:-)

reefan · #5 03-20-2011, 07:02 PM

Yep tank cycles even on a smaller scale seem to be inevitable.

bkelly · #6 03-20-2011, 09:19 PM

thanks everyone, ill go the route of new sand and seed with a bit of mine,

yes the new tank is going in the same spot of the 75 so i got to do everything at once - itll be a busy weekend.

I hope my manderine dragonnet finds enough food off the rocks and im not taking what he eats away.

The Grizz · #7 03-20-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkelly

thanks everyone, ill go the route of new sand and seed with a bit of mine,

yes the new tank is going in the same spot of the 75 so i got to do everything at once - itll be a busy weekend.

I hope my manderine dragonnet finds enough food off the rocks and im not taking what he eats away.

That is a good choice if you are nervous about a cycle for sure. If you keep your live rock in water, heated and flow in the bin and you should be fine. If you see any pods when you remove the LR be sure to net them and put with the rock.