Cycling!!!

[guppy1]

ok, i have been researching and slowing learning about cichlids, i have a 29 gallon tall tank, i used to have guppies in it fo a year and a half, i have never cycled the tank because i never knew i had to until i read some off these threads, but any way, i want to start breeding cichlids, i want to cycle my tank first, so how do i do it, i have sand at the bottom, and i use fake plants. I have a test kit on the way, it should be here in 1 week, so i will test my tap water and post the results the day after i get the test kit, then u guys/girls can help me deside wat cichlid species to get, so right know the tank is half full of the water the guppies where in it for about a month, i just vacumed the sand, (that is why the tank is half full), and left the tank half full, know the water is clear and clean, i have a dueto 100 filter filtering the water, and the water temp is around 75. The only fish in their know is a betta, he has a seperate tank but i just put him in there for kicks,so what should i do from this point, i went out and bought amonia from walmart, it only cost me 99 cents, so i will follow your directions, just tell me how to cylcle my tank and what water chemicals i will need to adust the PH, kh, and gh in the future,
all help is appreciated thanks in advanced,
shane

 

[stingray4540]

Well, your tank is probably already cycled from having the guppies in there, and haveing the betta in there is keeping the bacteria alive. I would suggest keeping the betta in there for now and holding off on the amonia. when you get your test kit, test your water. if it is already cycled your readings should be: amonia = 0ppm, Nitrites = 0ppm, and Nitrates < 40ppm. If you want to do cichlids, I would suggest some dwarfs, they are great and would do well in a 29. blue rams, apistograma species ( I especially love the cackatoo's) and kribensis. Post your reading when you get them.