Cycle Question

My tank has been cycling for about 2 weeks. The ammonia peaked at over 6, and I removed the shrimp. The ammonia crept down to about 4. I added 30 pounds of live rock to my 29 gallon setup, and the ammonia dropped to 1 ppm the next day, and disappeared the day after that.

My nitrite peaked off of the scale, but began to come back down rapidly. Then it stopped at 2 ppm. Is this normal?

Nitrates are rising, but not out of control. About 20 ppm.

The live rock really did it's job, although I don't know if any critters survived.

Any guesses about how much longer it should take to finish cycling? A trip to the LFS made me antsy! Probably shouldn't have gone, I was doing well with the patience!

Charlie-NY said:

I'd do a PWC and recheck your parameters. Put a pinch of fish food in each day so that there is some ammonia present to continue the bio filtration process.

When all tests read zero you can add fish slowly. In a new tank I would start with breeds that are known to be hardy. Then just give your new aquarium a chance to mature a little.

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See, here is where things get confusing. I have read that you do not do any water changes during the cycle, because that will only prolong the cycle. Once the cycle completes, then you do a very large water change. Is that not correct?

As for adding food for ammonia, I don't think it's necessary. My live rock was in the mail for 4 days, and has been in the tank for less than a week.