Switching over?

[fishinchick]

If base rock has been in water for any amount of time it's live. Why would you think base rock isnt live?

Also, when it's time to transfer everything to the new tank, try to do it a little at a time or you'll end up with problems from pushing your young tank too far.

[leveldrummer]

Originally Posted by fishinchick

If base rock has been in water for any amount of time it's live. Why would you think base rock isnt live?

Also, when it's time to transfer everything to the new tank, try to do it a little at a time or you'll end up with problems from pushing your young tank too far.

if you find dried dead base rock, it can still have dead stuff in it, that hasnt rotted yet, that was my case. i thought it was clean, it wasnt, but like FC said, put it in your tank it will cycle and be live in no time.

i disagree on the transfer though, both tanks have rock that supports the bioload of the fish and coral, after the large tank is stable, id toss both in and organize. just make sure to wait a while before adding anything new.

[JY13131]

By stable you mean?....the sand has settled or readings are good?

[fishinchick]

When you throw rock and new sand into a tank the bacteria levels still need to be established in the sand and balance before you cram it full of stuff. Why would you think that it's ok to throw so much stuff into a new tank so quickly? That will overhwelm the bacteria.

Moments of exposure to air kills bacteria and the tank, though not back to square one, has been set back a bit. Why risk your corals and fish you love so much to a surprise attack cycle?

I had this exact thing happen when some lumbering moron knocked my 30 gallon tank over and I had to run to the store, buy the first available tank (60 gallons) and set it up - all in the run of a couple hours. I had mega cycle and lost some beloved corals. I had that drama posted all over TRT back in the day.

Do what you want but it's better to err on the side of caution unless your investment doesnt mean much to you.

[Geoff]

if the sand/BR is dry/clean there will not be a cycle when it is added. the bacteria will quickly colonize the dry media. you are only adding more surface are for the bacteria to colonize. if you were to add dry/clean sand to an already established sand bed than you could have a cycle from the old sand being killed off by the new sand going on top of it.

i have done many full tank rebuilds with LR sitting on towels for several hours. as long as you do not change the orientation of the LR you will have a minimum cycle. it is when you change the orientation of the LR that you can have larger cycles. putting the sponge side up instead of down can cause large die off on the piece of LR.

G~

[JY13131]

Well.....that is conflicting and confusing!!!!!!!! Shall I do a poll?