Ammonia spike after tank upgrade?

[beatle]

I upgraded from a 24g nano cube to a 40g breeder last night. I bought the cube used and it was already established. I used new sand, but left most everything else the same. I had just a few peppermint shrimp, yellow clown goby, red firefish, and sally lightfoot, along with a couple hermits and snails. Everyone seemed happy, though I did not test the water.

 

During the upgrade I put the rock in a bin and siphoned out the tank water. I then used all of the existing rock plus some dry rock and new, rinsed sand, along with new saltwater mixed w/RODI to get the tank running. Salinity between the new and old water was the same - 1.025. The water ended up relatively cloudy at the end of the job, but I did see the firefish swimming around just an hour later. Today when I got home I decided I had too much rock in the tank and started to reaquascape. In the process I found the firefish about half eaten. I then tested the water. Salinity was the same, temperature was the same (79), but ammonia was between 2 and 4, nitrite was 0.25, and nitrates were 20. What could cause this spike? The only thing left in the 24g was the sponge, but I had previously rinsed it the week prior, and 2 weeks before that when I got the tank. I did not want it to become a haven for the bacteria or become a nitrate factory.

 

Any ideas as to what caused this spike? I'm planning another water change, but without much livestock (not sure if the goby is still alive) I may just let the cycle ride itself out.

[Coral Hind]

How long did the new saltwater sit before using it? Where did the dry rock come from? There might have been dead organisms, sponges, or algae in or on the rock which caused the spike. The dead firefish could also be the cause and not the result of the ammonia.

[beatle]

I made it slowly over the course of 3 days. I started with enough salt for 15 gallons, and added 5g of RODI over the course of 2 days. It sat for about a day after the last bucket, mixing with a heater and a powerhead.

 

The dry rock came with the original cube, not sure of its origin, though I believe it had been dry for quite a while.

 

Lost the goby too. :(

 

If the ammonia is a result of the firefish's death, I'm guessing the temperature could be the result of it. I have 4 thermometers: two Coralife digitals (one new), an infrared temperature gun, and the thermostat on my ViaAqua heater. The old coralife reads 78.7, new coralife reads 76.7, heater reads 79, and the temperature gun reads 81. It's been a while since I've calibrated my hand (over 2 years) so I'm not sure which is right, though I'd have to say it feels cooler than I expected.

[beatle]

Well the spike seems to have been short lived. On Thursday my ammonia had dropped to 0.5, Friday was 0.25, and yesterday it read 0. Nitrites were also 0, and nitrates were 20.

 

In dealing with the temperature of the tank, I'm trying to find a reliable reference point since my four thermometers refuse to agree. I'm thinking of picking up a cheap glass thermometer as a reference point. Any thoughts on something that's just darned accurate, or some other way to guarantee the temperature is not off?

[Jan]

You had a soft cycle. It's a cycle that only lasts a few days and usually occurs when transferring from one system to another. It's a a nitrogen cycle from bio die off. They sometimes happen when transferring from one system to another especially with rinsing of the LR and sand, etc. Water changes would have helped. If you do this again make sure you test the water before adding any livestock. Give it about 24 beofre you test especially if you've rinsed LR or LS or if both the LR and LS have been sitting without water or circulation for a while.

[davelin315]

It's been a while since I've calibrated my hand (over 2 years) so I'm not sure which is right...

Maybe ask a kindergartner! Sorry, snickered when I read your post, understood what you meant, but couldn't leave it alone!

 

Oh, and there's nothing wrong with your temperature. Anywhere between 75-82 is within pretty much acceptable guidelines for reef tanks. As far as your cycle, any rock that is dried out and then put back into a smaller system will most likely result in ammonia due to what David already mentioned unless you thoroughly clean it off. Even then, it's still possible that it will release ammonia so in a smaller system this can cause an issue.

[beatle]

Haha, it took me a while to get the kindergartner line, but I finally came around.

 

Thanks. I've got some additional dry rock that I'll "cure" before throwing it in a tank. I figured dry rock couldn't cause a cycle, but I suppose even though everything is dead, it may still be present and then decay when it becomes wet again.