New Tank

[massive attack]

Hi, I'm new to the hobby and have had a 33 gallon tank set up for about 2 months, 1 have 1 6-line wrasse, a serpent star, 10+ hermit crabs, and about 30+ lbs. of live rock. My water quality is fine, 8.4-8.6 pH, 0 NH3, 0 NO2, and <5 ppm NO3. I have a protein skimmer a UGF with 2 with 2 powerheads for lots of water circulation, and a biowheel external hang-on filter as well. However, I never have experienced a cycle of nitrogen in the tank. I have even overfeed to a small degree in an attempt to jump start the cycle. My question is...is this normal to see with a small tank and live rock? I don't want to rush things and add more fish, but I was hoping to add a couple of shrimp, a Royal Gramma, or a Firefih, in the next couple of days.
Thanks for you input, Mike

 

[jimi]

Yes, that is the advantage of using cured live rock to start a tank. Many never see a cycle. The live rock already has the bacteria present needed to convert ammonia.

 

[rickt4du]

I have a 10 gal with about 30lbs of rock. I dont skim or filter, just 1 power head. Doing great for over a year now. I have 2 perc clowns, red serpent star, emerald crab, 2 scarlet hermits and some fuzzie mushrooms.
[ August 16, 2001: Message edited by: Rickt4du ]