Cycle complete

[orthoboy]

I have had my 20g tank with 22 lbs of LR and 30 lbs of sand (aragamax, but not live sand). Set up for almost 3 weeks. My levels after 3 weeks were pH 8.2 ammonia 0 nitrites 0 nitrates 20. I wasn't sure if the tank was fully cycled, so I added a cooked cocktail shrimp in order to determine if the cycle was pushed to its max. After another week, my levels are the same. Is it safe to assume my tank is completely cycled even though there is no algae build up (my lights have been off during the cycling process) or should I continue to wait? Also, does it make a difference that the cocktail shrimp was cooked or should it have been completely raw?

 

[snipe]

I really dont think it would matter since it would decompose no matter what. I would say your tank is cycled.

 

[orthoboy]

So I assume that since I did not have my lights on during my cycling and levels are good, the fact that an algae bloom did not appear is okay, and I should begin to add livestock?

 

[snipe]

I would say yes it cycled if all your readins when up and back to 0 then it is cycled. And not all new tanks have algea blooms.