how long?

[elmj]

how long does it take to cycle a new 2ft tank with a little fish in it? when do you actually know when the cycle is done without test kits?

really eager to go buy some of the fishes i've been eyeing but not at the expense of their life!

[OrionGirl]

Without testing the water for ammonia and nitrites, there is no way to gaurantee that a tank is cycled. However--cycling with fish gaurantees that each additional fish you put in there will create a mini-cycle as the bio-load exceeds the bacteria bed that is established.