Need help with Cycling

[Kizzy911]

I have a new 40 gallon breeder.
I've been told it needs to cycle so this is how i have it set up:
40 gallon in tank filter, 2 air stones for oxygen, NO sump, and t5 lighting, heater. and bare bottom

I was told by my LFS to add this nitrifying bacteria and i've read the instructions and it told me to use all of the content of the bottle at once.
I've done that today, i've also added a couple of dry rocks.
I've also added small pieces of live rock maybe 4-5 pounds only.
I've also been told to add food as if i'm feeding 4-5 fishes in the tank for the bacteria to grow and populate.
Lastly, i've added 2 chromis' to help speed up the cycle.

How long do i keep it "cycling"?
also, do i turn the light on ?

Picture attached to what it looks like right now, i've only started it yesterday (about 24 hrs ago or so)

 

[Bogue Chitto]

You need to get test kits to test for ammonia, and nitrite. When these show up a reading, at first, the cycle is in process, when they come down to zero your tank should be cycled. It varies on how long it takes.

 

[thegrun]

1. You should have about 40-50 pounds of rock for your system, it is unclear how much you have from your post, but if you have substantially less than that you need to add more rock asap.
2. You can add a pinch of food daily or use pure ammonia Use pure ammonia without surfactants (available at most hardware stores, I got mine at Ace Hardware). To be sure the ammonia does not contain surfactants shake the bottle and if it bubbles up like dish soap it has surfactants in it, pure ammonia will not have bubbles. To raise 100 gallons of water from 0 to 2 ppm ammonia you would need to add 0.8 grams (8 ml) of standard 10% pure ammonia.
3. NEVER add fish for the cycle!!! It will not "speed things up" and is cruel to subject anything alive to ammonia poisoning. Please take the Chromis back to the store and do not add anything living to the tank until the cycle is complete.

 

[Kizzy911]

You need to get test kits to test for ammonia, and nitrite. When these show up a reading, at first, the cycle is in process, when they come down to zero your tank should be cycled. It varies on how long it takes.

i do have test kits, but do i test i now? 24 hours later, or should i test at a certain day or certain length?

 

[Kizzy911]

1. You should have about 40-50 pounds of rock for your system, it is unclear how much you have from your post, but if you have substantially less than that you need to add more rock asap.
2. You can add a pinch of food daily or use pure ammonia Use pure ammonia without surfactants (available at most hardware stores, I got mine at Ace Hardware). To be sure the ammonia does not contain surfactants shake the bottle and if it bubbles up like dish soap it has surfactants in it, pure ammonia will not have bubbles. To raise 100 gallons of water from 0 to 2 ppm ammonia you would need to add 0.8 grams (8 ml) of standard 10% pure ammonia.
3. NEVER add fish for the cycle!!! It will not "speed things up" and is cruel to subject anything alive to ammonia poisoning. Please take the Chromis back to the store and do not add anything living to the tank until the cycle is complete.

Looking to make this into a frag tank, something simple for now before having a main display with everything in it.
I have a couple of live rock on the sides for now.
Also, i have a QT system which i will put the fish until my cycle is finished. thanks

 

[NSimpkins]

Keep an eye on the fish even in quarantine, unless it is an established system. Id recommend taking them back to your LFS.

 

[Kizzy911]

I've had fish in the QT longer than i've had this current 40b. THey've been well established for about 4 months now.

 

[Bogue Chitto]

Go ahead and test the water and see what it reads.