If you wish to jumpstart the cycle. Get a media bag or even a pantyhose would work. Get a raw, uncooked shrimp at the grocery store and put it in the media bag or pantyhose, then toss it in your tank. The media bag will keep the decomposing shrimp from getting all over the tank. This will help to introduce ammonia into the tank. After a couple days or when your ammonia goes over .5 you can remove/discard the shrimp. Then you play the waiting game. Usually about 4 weeks. Hope this helps a bit.