Mini cycle? Transferred tank

[alicia24]

I got a 90g saltwater tank from some people that had been set up for years. There is a lot of live rock in it. I got the tank 3 days ago. It was only about a one to two hour transport and I kept the live rock in water. They never stirred their sand so I've only been adding a small amount back in each day. On sunday nh3 was 0 today it is 0.24 (hanna). I'm concerned and confused. I added microbacter 7 on sunday and added some more today. They were feeding twice daily but I'm going to drop to once daily. Are water changes the answer? I feel like that prevents the mini cycle from doing it's thing but of course is needed if it creaps up anymore than it's at now. Please help. How long will this mini cycle take and and at what ppm of ammonia should I do a water change? Should I use prime? & I know the lighting is not enough I am getting another light today. N03 is 5 with api (I dont have a hanna). Ph 8.1. There is a puffer, sleeper goby, blenny, 2 clowns, 3 damsels, and cuc. It has a 30g sump. It just has a filter sock and one large piece of live rock in there. Thank you in advance!

 

[BanZI29]

It sounds like it is a mini cycle from sand being moved. even if it's a little, it can do that. I had the same thing happen in my tank. had to empty it completely and took out the rocks, and left the sand.
I refilled the same day and 2 days later, I was showing ammonia in the water.
do a water change and then let it be. Keep adding the microbacter too, it will help.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Agree with above, a mini cycle should not happen, it was IMO caused by the sand, it should have been well cleaned before adding back to the tank. There is years of gunk in the sand that was released back into the water.

 

[alicia24]

It sounds like it is a mini cycle from sand being moved. even if it;s a little, I can do that. I had the same thing happen in my tank. had to empty it completely and took out the rocks, and left the sand.
I refilled the same day and 2 days later, I was showing ammonia in the water.
do a water change and then let it be. Keep adding the microbacter too, it will help.

Ok thank you!!

 

[alicia24]

Agree with above, a mini cycle should not happen, it was IMO caused by the sand, it should have been well cleaned before adding back to the tank. There is years of gunk in the sand that was released back into the water.

I've been rinsing it with water but not enough. I will do that better with the remanding sand I have yet to add. Although I'm hesistant to even add the rest at all.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I've been rinsing it with water but not enough. I will do that better with the remanding sand I have yet to add. Although I'm hesistant to even add the rest at all.

cleaning it is not easy, it takes a long time. Some folks just get new sand to avoid the effort. You have to rinse it with water until you can stir your finger in it and the water runs clear, it takes hours. Good luck

 

[BanZI29]

Adding sand will not hurt, after yo uclean the old sand thou. and yes it will take a good amount of time.
The last time I cleaned my sand, I used 10 gal of salt water and it took about 2 hours. I have a 40 gal thou so a bit smaller than yours.

 

[alicia24]

cleaning it is not easy, it takes a long time. Some folks just get new sand to avoid the effort. You have to rinse it with water until you can stir your finger in it and the water runs clear, it takes hours. Good luck

Goodness that makes sense I should have rinsed it better. Thanks for the advice!!

 

[alicia24]

Adding sand will not hurt, after yo uclean the old sand thou. and yes it will take a good amount of time.
The last time I cleaned my sand, I used 10 gal of salt water and it took about 2 hours. I have a 40 gal thou so a bit smaller than yours.

Ok thanks that's a good reference. I'll either clean the rest of this sand really good or get some new sand.

 

[EricR]

Ok thanks that's a good reference. I'll either clean the rest of this sand really good or get some new sand.

I'd vote new sand if budget allows.
Either way, hose the heck out of it. (This assumes your OK with not preserving any "life" in old sand).
I like short/shallow, wide bin in the backyard and blast it with garden hose,,, for a long time.
Final rinse with RO/DI or saltwater if you can probably makes sense.

 

[alicia24]

I'd vote new sand if budget allows.
Either way, hose the heck out of it. (This assumes your OK with not preserving any "life" in old sand).
I like short/shallow, wide bin in the backyard and blast it with garden hose,,, for a long time.
Final rinse with RO/DI or saltwater if you can probably makes sense.

Should I take some of the sand out thats in the tank or would that cause more ammonia at this point? I think I'll just get new sand the sand was not my favorite anyway

 

[MnFish1]

I would recommend that you just replace the sand. It is simple, not that expensive, and will solve the issue. Second - just to verify - which ammonia checker (Hanna) are you using. The low-range checker is for freshwater, and the High range checker measures Total ammonia not NH3 alone. i.e. a measurement of .24 is not likely toxic at the pH of your tank. If you're using another checker, I apologize. These are the ones I can see.

I would not do water changes, I would let time and the rock and the microbacter to do its job.

 

[alicia24]

I would recommend that you just replace the sand. It is simple, not that expensive, and will solve the issue. Second - just to verify - which ammonia checker (Hanna) are you using. The low-range checker is for freshwater, and the High range checker measures Total ammonia not NH3 alone. i.e. a measurement of .24 is not likely toxic at the pH of your tank. If you're using another checker, I apologize. These are the ones I can see.

I would not do water changes, I would let time and the rock and the microbacter to do its job.

So to clarify should I take the sand out of the tank and replace? Or moving forward just add new sand? I'm using the one that says marine. It only goes up yp 2.5ppm so I dont think its high range. & ok I was leaning towards not doing water changes I feel like it stalls things unless ammonia gets toxic.