Will complete tear down require a new cycle?

Hey everyone,
I recently had my tank start leaking after it had been up and running for 3-4 months. I removed all my rock and put it in a rubbermaid container with a heater and a powerhead and added water from the the tank to cover everything. My sand went into a 5 gallon bucket with enough tank water to cover the sand by an inch or two. All my livestock plus about 20lbs of rock went into a 20gal until I get the big tank sealed. I have now sealed the tank and I am about ready to get it all back together. What I am wondering is when the tank is back running again, will there be a significant cycle, or just a small one, or any at all? Should I wait to return the fish to the large tank? Just keep an eye on water params? Etc.... Anyone who has had to break a tank down for some reason your input would be appreciated. Thanks and happy reefing.

 

use as much of the old tank water as long as it is clean
you might have a small cycle depending on your tank size, how many gals of old water and how old was the tank before it leaked

I have done this more than once so just keep an eye on everything, you can move it all back in the tank at once no problem.....I have even used a little bacteria booster to help

 

I wouldn't reuse the sand. I know it onyl been a couple months but with your rock and water it will be very low impact on bio-stability.

 

You can expect a cycle. The newly sealed tank has lost its bacteria. Provided you bring enough rock and sand with you the new cycle will be minimal. What do you currently have?

 

ive had to do it a few times id say just keep an eye on the params and you should be fine and if you have a canister filter laying around use that to pump the water back into the tank itll help clean it as you refill the tank.

 

Not always true and you dont wanna reuse your sand this could cause more issues then help. The water and rock is most important i had a tank crack on me when moving and replaced the tank that day it didnt cycle. But i used 60/40 on water old/new and kept everything wet.

 

+1 you may or may not experience a mini cycle, if you are careful,a nd keep an eye out on your water parameters, you should be fine

 

Yeah i agree toss the sand it has built up ammonia and toxins.Hopefully you have atleast 50-60% old tank water.The canister filter idea is a great idea but if you dont have that try to pour the water through some filter floss as you put it back in the tank.You might also want to get some clarifier if it doesnt come with the new sand.If you cant afford new sand right now just stick with bare bottom tank until you can.

 

The tank is a 72 gal bowfront. I have about 70-80lbs of rock and 60lbs of sand. The tank was running 3 months at the most when a small leak started from the bottom seam. There is still 30lbs of sand in the sump with the chaeto and caulerpa, with the original water. I was planning on using sand because tank was so new. I was going to buy about 20 more lbs of rock to add to what I have. I have about 30gal of the original water with the rocks still. I also have 35gal of R/O water already mixed with salt, with a heater and powerhead, ready to go into tank. I could also use whats in my 20gal that the fish are currently in, if anyone thinks that would help. I just did a 5 gal change on monday.

Thanks for the replies, let me know what you think.

 

Using the old water has very little (if any) benefit. The bacteria needed grows on surfaces not in the water column. I would only reuse a small portion of the old water(if any). Using the old sand will definitely cause the tank to have a cycle of some sort.Especially if you are physically removing it then replacing it. I would keep a close eye on the parameters for a few days before adding livestock.