How Long Does this take??

[becky]

How long does the cycle actually take? How will you knwo when it;s done? I want to be sure my cycle is ready for the fish i plan to keep in the tank. also what should the readings be?? when its finished and now??

 

[gobylover]

The time for a cycle varies.When you first start,your levels will go up.You should see those nubers come back down.When the test says your nitrates and ammonia are down to 0,you have finished the cycle.I would also suggest for your first fish to make it a hardy one,maybe a clown fish.Do you have a quarantine tank?They are almost a must so you don't introduce disease to your tank.

 

[goober]

my cycle took 3 months. you can use live rock and live sand to speed up the process. you know when the cycle is done when you levels are in a safe amount. you should see the ammonia, nitrate and nitrite peek and fall after each peeks and falls then u know the cycle is finished. andding a damsal or clown will also speed up the process. i think adding the damsal is a pain because they become a pain later down the road when you want to add more fish. I cycled with clowns.
Good luck

 

[ocellaris_keeper]

Becky,
What size tank do you have? what type of filter? What did you do to initiate the nitrogen Cycle? What type of fish do you prefer?
Settings from assorted manuals:
Temp from 76-71
Salinity 1.020 to 1.025 (keep it in between)
PH 8.0-8.4 is pretty good (8.3 ideal)
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0 to 15 but 0 is preferred.
Hope this helps
Brewski

 

[jimi]

It could take from 0 to 60 days depending on what you start with. If you start with good live rock and live sand you most likely wont cycle at all. If not you have to wait for the nitrifying bacteria to form and multiply.