Cycling question?

[NYTUGS]

Ok so I've had water in the tank for 3 weeks, the first week I was away do I did not have the tank running. Lights have not been on during this time, for cycle I used 2 bags of live sand and 2 small peices of live rock, and about 4 blind feedings

After just testing, I'm thinking the cycle has not even started all salefert test kits--

ammonia -- <.25
nitrite -- 0
nitrate -- between 5/10 colors
ph 7.7


Any thoughts / help would be great.

THanks

 

[NYTUGS]

Anyone?

 

[Awibrandy]

Seems to me that it has began. You do have some ammonia & trates, not a whole but something. Have tried the shrimp in a nylon trick? PH is a little low.

 

[NYTUGS]

Was told the shrimp in the bag was not a good way to go??

 

[KathyC]

Was told the shrimp in the bag was not a good way to go??

Hey Bruce..who told you that?

It is an excellent way to cycle the tank as it will raise the ammonia level up to where you want it to be..and then you will clearly be abel to follow the cycle as it progresses.
That is the way I would do it.

So called 'live sand' really has very little - if any life in it..How long do you think the bacteria can live on the shelf in a store without being fed?

Do the shrimp thing, it is humane and effective.

 

[iliriano]

+100 on shrimp.

 

[Buck0land]

You can use household ammonia to start you cycle. Here is a link for how to do it http://www.csupomona.edu/~jskoga/Aquariums/Ammonia.html