Major cycle or mini cycle

[trea]

Hi,

My 10 gallon finally cycled the other day after 2.5 months. The wait was not that bad because I already have an established tank to watch, so the wait was not that bad. I added a 20lb bag of Aragonite fine sand a live 3lb live rock. The next day I saw my ammonia jump up 0.50ppm and nitrites up to 0.25ppm and nitrates 20ppm. Am I experiencing a mini cylce? I was only planning on keeping 1 or 2 clowns and soft corals.

[ReefNeck]

It sounds like a little die off on the live rock. Mini Cycle is a good way to look at it. Should not last long at all.

[trea]

Oh okay, thanks Reefneck

[J_T]

Every time you add anything to the closed system (our tanks) the tank needs to equalize again. So, every fish/coral/rock we add, means a small cycle. This is why most people try not to add too many new things at once.

[zero186]

Originally Posted by J_T

Every time you add anything to the closed system (our tanks) the tank needs to equalize again. So, every fish/coral/rock we add, means a small cycle. This is why most people try not to add too many new things at once.

i second that