Cycling

[RcManChild]

So I got a Nuvo 20 gallon a week ago.
I used the starting agent that the store recommended and I used it.

At first I was seeing ammonia levels now everything is at zero, Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

I do not believe the tank is cycled..?

If it is not cycled what should i do if anything differently.

Skimmer is running
I am not using a shrimp per say or ghost feeding the tank, just using the bottles recommended to me, the are made by the LFS so not 100% sure what chemical makeup they have.

Any advice is welcomed...

 

[Jeff4777]

You used that Instant Ocean bacteria in a bottle stuff? If you saw all those parameters spike and go back down to 0 your tank is cycled. Enjoy!

 

[SGT_York]

Cycled is relative ongoing process not an endstate, you are now good to put in a small bioload, but not a big one. Start small and watch your parameters. If you put too much in there the ammonia will spike again and your fish will die.

Start with one small fish, also you should have nitrate on your test, what test are you using and do you plan on keeping coral?

 

[RcManChild]

No Nitrate detected,

Using API salt water testing bottles.

I will post all the levels tomorrow that I had..

Eventually I would like to have Coral, maybe 4-5 months down the road.

I wanted to put 2 clowns and a royal gamma in the tank.. Not all at once... Maybe start with one clown and see how it does, and really watch the ammonia levels...

 

[gone fishin]

If you want to make sure you are cycled you can always add some pure ammonia to the tank, I like to get up to 1-2ppm. If the ammonia is processed within 24hrs then you are good to add some live stock. If you want to go this route the link may help you. Good luck just my 2 cents.

https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/