new tank cycling

[ReefSitter]

I have set up a new 90 gallon tank in which I will be moving everything LR, SPS, part of the sand bed, fish, etc. from my 55 gallon.

My new tank has a new sand bed with about 20lbs of my existing sand bed in place and the remainder new sand.

I did water changes in my old tank every 4 days to get about half the water in my new tank made up of "old water"

My tank has been cycling now for 2 weeks with no sign of an ammonia spike or nitrites. There has been no lighting or skimming.

I planned on cycling the tank for a month or two hoping to go through the ammonia spike, nitrites, and algae bloom before transferring anything.

My question is: With only the sand bed including 20 lbs. of my old sandbed and half of the water coming from the old tank, will my tank cycle at all?
Or will the cycle begin after I transfer everyhing from the old tank?

[wanareef]

You will still get a cycle - a small one but still cycle. That is is the best thing you did, was to save the old water. That's what I did inorder to get or rose tank going, it's hooks to he main tank

[Geoff]

you will always get a spike of somekind. the best way to limit it is to make sure the LR does not touch air. this is usually more difficult than practical.

the air will kill sponges and create air pockets in the LR which could kill some other critters. this is usually a very small number of critters so they are usually very small cycles. another reason there is a cycle after rearranging the tank and swithovers is that a lot of the sessile critters really liked their old homes. you may have put them in a not so good position in the new tank and they will not make it.

G~

[ReefSitter]

So are you saying I am wasting my time cycling my tank now with nothing in it but a sandbed?