It only looked different because it was wet. There is no maybe or maybe not, this isn't an experiment, it is proven science. Tanks do not cycle immediately and the beneficial bacteria needed to covert ammonia to nitrite and eventually nitrate does not live in water. Your fish survived because clowns are hardy, what you did is still not recommended within the hobby anymore. The LFS told you everything he did to make you spend more $$$, he wanted you to buy Live Rock instead of much cheaper dry rock, he wanted you to buy "live sand", and he wanted you to walk away with some fish to throw in that brand new tank.