New tank cycle - dry rock

[FenSaLir]

Hi all,

i am new to hobby and this is my first reef tank. I have 38gallon nuvo mini with marco rocks (dry) and live sand from two little fishies. Microbacter7 and MICROBE-LIFT Special Blend introduced 3 weeks ago. My problem is that i was out for 10 days and hadn't checked ammonia, N02, N03. When I went back my values was NH3 = 0.50 , NO2 = 0 , NO3 = 5 and i introduced Red Sea NO3: PO4-X suggested by my friend. My rocks were partially covered by miniature red particles but they disappeared in two days. Yesterday I did some tests (some of them for first time -KH,Ca,Mg) :
NH3 - lees than 0.25
NO2 = 0
NO3 = 0
PO4 = 0
KH = 7.3
Ca = 470
Mg = 1200
Salinity 1.025

And now my question is is my tank cycled ? I am not sure if there was ammonia peak or not as i was traveling. Should I wait little bit more or it's time for cleaning crew ? Not sure about red cover - for how log it was there and how much but now there is nothing. Just only thing good to mention is that in my sand bed there are bubbles.

Thank for your hints.

 

[sirclintler]

If you had an ammonia spike you would see a high nitrate level after your cycle is complete, foe example my ammonia spike was at 4ppm and when it was all said and done my nitrates were at 50ppm. you should be able to add ammonia and if the ammonia and nitrites are gone after 24 hours you are cycled, the additives and live sand may have worked out well for you but I would be leary. Bubbles are a good sign that the bacteria is working.

 

[FenSaLir]

Thank you sirclintler , i will try that. Just one more question may I use 25% ammonia water for that and how much shall i put ?

 

[110GTJ]

I always think it's safe to add livestock then bam I'm wrong lol

 

[Potatohead]

Get some pure ammonia from the store and put in a small amount, maybe 20 drops. Test an hour later and then again test 24 hours later. If the ammonia has been consumed and your nitrates have risen, the tank is cycled

 

[gone fishin]

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

The calculator should help you figure out how much to put in. good luck