dumb ? time

[weissev]

ok got the watser and salt in the tank.putting in live rock and sand wed . when will i know when to add fish. thanks lee

 

[airforceb2]

When your ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are at 0. Nitrates can be a little above but no higher than 20.

 

[airforceb2]

About 3 to 5 weeks from wed.

 

[weissev]

thanks your the man
lee

 

[lion_crazz]

Just purchase a test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates and test you water every 3 to 5 days. Like stated, it will take 3 to 5 weeks.

 

[jayc]

Yea about 3-5 weeks.

 

[f1shman]

I've heard that the whole cycle can actulley occur in a week if you have lots of LR, LS, and/or use the cocktail shrimp cycling thing. lol (im not 100% sure)

 

[airforceb2]

Possible but not very common.

 

[aggies50]

mine was over in a week. So it is possible.

 

[a&m aggie 04']

it really depends. If the rock was not cured you should see some dieoff and an ammonia spike in your tank. Next you'll see the ammonia break down into nitrites and then the nitrite break down into Nitrates. After the ammonia and Nitrite are at zero it is safe to add slowly to your tank. If you add inhabitants too quick you'll see your ammonia and nitrites spike again...which is bad and could untimately kill your new fish/inverts.
If you dont have any ammonia or nitrite present now I'd consider tossing a raw shrimp in there to get a cycle started and wait until all your paramaters get back to 0.
Take your time...patience is the key to keeping a successful tank.
HTH,
Mark