Originally Posted by rgunnell
Good point, my rock was cured, yes. I didn't really monitor closely the first few days and I was told by the LFS that it could cycle in a couple days with the amount of rock I have and it's quality.
My story is quite interesting, posted a few days ago, but in short, I was given the OKAY to use 50% of my freshwater (ran FW tank for a year) and the remaining tapwater to start my SW tank. Don't ask me why someone would okay this but I guess that day I spoke to a new employee at the LFS. Anywho, I did have some bacteria and buildup in the tank and I'm sure this triggered an instant cycle with all that leftover junk in there. Fortunately, I never medicated the water and it was nice and clean, so I opted to wait it's course and it is looking okay at this point.
Ammonia is 0. Nitrite is 0. Nitrate is now at 10ppm with a considerable algal bloom ocurring but this appears to be normal while my tank begins. Comments?
I did read that post and told you I didn't think it was a good idea to use the old freshwater. Anyway, I am glad your readings are good. I personally would spot feed the system just to be sure. Take a small amount of fish food, drop it in and let it rot for a few days. If your ammonia spikes a little and then comes back down then you are good to go, if it keeps rising then you are not cycled and have to wait for it to come down and then the nitrites to climb and come back down. If you don't get at least a small spike then you didn't add enough food. The ammonia in an established system will spike and come right back down. This is the best test to be sure your system is ready for life.
