Do I need to cycle my tank?

I bought a 58 gallon reef tank that had been up any running for over a year. I kept more that half of the original water and currently have corals and some inverts in the tank....no fish yet. Do I still need to cycle my tank or should it be good since I have most of the water and filter, skimmer, etc that has been used for over a year?

bulldog

 

Check it for a cycle moving sometimes causes one. You will not need to force one.

 

I would just be careful, as 2in10 said. Keep some ammo-lock or other ammonia locker around just in case, as it would be useful in this situation.

 

the water doesn't "cycle" it is the substrate (i.e. rocks,sand,CC,etc..) you should be fine but as mentioned above moving can jump start a mini cycle

 

I've bought a few established tanks and have moved my tanks a few times. You probably will see a mini-cycle due to the moving of the sand and different placement of the liverock. Since you don't really have any livestock I'd just do weekly water changes for a few weeks.

Another option is a soft cycle by doing small daily water changes to keep the water in check. That's what I had to do in my 95 and 24 gallon reefs when I moved them last August due to the fish and corals, but I was able to move them and keep the parameters in check till the mini-cycle was done.

Good luck

 

ok. I just tested my water levels and here is where they sit after having it running for 5 days.

pH Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate Phosphate Calcium
8.2 0.25 0 30 >1 220

Phosphates are high so I put a bag with some phosphate remover in that I am going to change out today. What can high phosphates cause?

Oh, and my water temp is like 84. I am getting a chiller tomorrow. What can higher temps cause?

bulldog

 

Keep an eye on the ammonia, and be ready for a water change.

 

You will see your nitrites jump, then your nitrates. I would do a small 10% change and use some Amquel to prevent ammonia poisoning. Also, check your Mg and Alk levels, as a 220 on Ca is *extremely* low, especially for a reef tank.

 

Alk 7.5 and Salinity 1.022

I get my chiller today.....pumped.