is it possible to skip cycling

[marcs4020]

8 days ago I started a new tank, 55gal. i took 5 gal of water from my 30H that has been running for a year now and also moved over the canister filter that has been on that tank for 6 months which I hoped would transfer some good bacteria along with the 2 gal of water that it holds. I also used the agralive substrate, the one that is packed with the water, to try and speed up the cycle with all the good bacteria that that claims to have. I have 65 lbs of live rock and i am using a Seaclone protein skimmer. I tested today and it seems like I may have skipped the cycle all together.
My tests were as follows:
No2 = under .5
Ammonia/NH4 - just under zero
No3= 0.2
pH = 8.2
Alk = high
specific gravity = 1.022
Any help would be great
Thanks
Marcus

 

[benj2112]

I never really had much of a cycle with my tank. I used the agralive sand and live rock (that was pretty much cured at lfs). I would say you have some nice bacteria in your tank all ready.
A good thing to do might be to just feed your tank some fish food. A whole shrimp at this point might be too much and end up killing the bacteria you already have in your live sand and rock. I can't remember the post, but this is something Bang Guy recommended doing.

 

[marcs4020]

what will the fish food do?

 

[acekjd83]

little bit of ammonia to maintain the nitrogen cycle you've established. if the bacteria run out of food (nitrogenous compounds) then they will die.