Cycle tank with dead rock and dead sand

[oompala]

My son purchased a 12 gallon tank, I gave him about 15 pounds of dead rock I had used a few years ago and also some dead sand. He has been cycling this tank for 3 weeks now. He never added the piece of shrimp that I told him to put in there for it to start a cycle. Do you think it did a cycle and we didn't know about it? Or should I just put in a piece of shrimp now and use today as day one of the cycle?

 

[btldreef]

It's probably safer to add the shrimp. If any biological filtration has built up, it's probably not much.
Did he test levels at all?

 

[oompala]

No we are testing the levels right now, I'm thinking nothing happened.

 

[nikesb]

you might want to add pure ammonia too. not sure of amount to add for a small aquarium though.

 

[1guydude]

just pee in it....seriously drink a 6 pack and take a pee lol. This old timer at my work told me to do it lol, i personally didnt!!!!!

 

[nikesb]

i wouldnt trust my own pee lol

 

[oompala]

Levels are:
Ammonia .25
Nitrate: 5-10
Nitrite: 5
Ph: 7.8
Salinity 1.025
What do you think??

 

[nikesb]

looks good, i would go ahead and pull the shrimp out since the process has begun. having nitrite means that there is already bacteria converting the ammonia to nitrite, and the same goes for nitrates, theres bacteria already converting it from nitrite. your cycle has begun and when your ammonia and nitrite 0 off, get yourself a CUC and a week later.

 

[1guydude]

still cycling thats wat i thinks.....did u pee in it????? jk lol i would go the safe route and either add some live stuff or cocktail shrimp as suggested. I cycled my tank by killing 2 chromis. This i would not suggest

 

[1guydude]

Quote:
your cycle has begun and when your ammonia and nitrite 0 off, get yourself a CUC a week later.
+1
Give yourself a good 10 day waiting period between fishys and stuff added

 

[oompala]

ok, thanks for all your suggestions, I will keep all posted. (if things do not move along I just might pee in it, lol)