Re-Cycling after tank disaster

[wintrmte]

All,
Last week our sump cracked and leaked ~20gal. of water onto the floor. We've had everything repaired and have set the tank back up (what doesn't kill ya, only makes you stronger, right?)
Anyway, we re-used all of our live rock,. some sand and could only save about 40 gallons of water. Our tank is 180 gallons total.
I'm curious about the cycling. I'm guessing that it will have to start completely over again to establish its self, even with the re-used water and partial sand. Correct?

 

[brandons]

unless all the water came out of your display you shouldn't have to recycle. The bacteria lives in the sand and live rock.

 

[nereef]

Originally Posted by BrandonS
unless all the water came out of your display you shouldn't have to recycle. The bacteria lives in the sand and live rock.
well said. the only thing i can think of is if sand in the sump was stirred unreasonably by the water spilling. this could cause some spikes, but probably not ammonia, or nitrite spikes.

 

[wintrmte]

Originally Posted by BrandonS
unless all the water came out of your display you shouldn't have to recycle. The bacteria lives in the sand and live rock.
Yeah, we had to take all the water and about 85% of the sand out of the main display. There was no way for us to move it otherwise to dry out the sub floor.
I pretty much figured on having to go through another cycle, so it's not a big deal, we can wait it out.