4 to 6 weeks????

[rosco420]

Hi everyone, I just started my 46 gallon salt tank 1 week ago. I have 60lbs of live cured rock and 1-1/2" of live sand. I have a protein skimmer (not making foam), 2 power heads, and a rear hanging filter. I just did water tests and got readings of zero for Ammonia,Nitrite and Nitrate. My PH level is at 8.5. Is it possible that my water has cycled in such a short time or is my test kit defective? Please Help

[rocker92]

isnt that about the right time-frame for cycling???

BTW: arnt you supposed to have nitrate???

[rosco420]

I ve heard a bunch of different things but 4-6 weeks seems to be the most common

[thincat]

What did you use to start the "cycle"?

[rosco420]

I cant remember the name of the algie that was given to me with the live rock

[rosco420]

forgot to mention that no fish are in my tank, only a bunch of life in the rock

[Reefscape]

Algae wont be any good to cycle a tank...You need an ammonia source, like pure ammonia or a meaty chunk like a raw prawn to rot away and produce ammonia..I would hazzard a guess that you have never really seen a significant rise in the ammonia...?

[Catpicklesdog]

I have to agree with Reefscape. When I cycled my first tank, I just used lve rockand it took 8 week to get the levels right. When I cycled a second tank I used a shrimp and the cycle took about 3 weeks.

[rosco420]

thank you all for the help