How to know when tank is cycled?

[Anthony8858]

Aside from the timeframe, and "Step by step" procedures,
what are the "tell-tale" signs of a cycled tank that's ready to be stocked with fish?

SW, of course.

Current readings are:


Ammonia 0
PH 8.0
Nitrite 0 mg/l
Nitrate 10 mg/l

 

[frosty]

You are of course going to check parameters daily. You should see a large spike in ammonia that last a few days. Then nitrites will start to spike a couple days after ammonia. within about a week both ammonia and nitrites should start to fall and nitrates will start to raise. When ammonia and nitrites are zeroed do a water change to lower nitrates and bling...you are cylced. Time period is dependent on how hard the ammonia spikes, how many dead things are in the tank, and how much "space" you have for the bacteria to live (ie. sandbed, rock, filters).

 

[Anthony8858]

So would the above mentioned readings be indicative of a cycled tank?

 

[gbolton]

It depends if this is a brand new setup then there would never be ammonia or nitrite. If you have provided an ammonia source, such as rotting shrimp, and had a spike of ammonia and nitrite that have returned to 0 then you are cycled.

 

[frosty]

gbolton is right, I was assuming you had started a cycle some how, if you has gbolton described then yes your numbers would indicate a cycle. How long has the tank been set up? Did you add some shrimp or something to start the cycle?

 

[fishman2000]

if you have had shrimp in there like everyone asked do a partial and let us know the readings nitrates can be toxic aswell you want them at 5.0 or lower good luck

 

[Anthony8858]

I never used shrimp.

I set up this 36 gallon tank using Uncured Live Rock, Live sand, and 25 gallons Nutri-seaWater (the rest of the water was RO water from my LFS.)
This Nuti-SeaWater has bacteria, and nutrients.
I also use a modified Skilter filter 250 with protein skimmer, 2 power heads, and an Emperor 280

As a now, I have a single striped Damsel in the tank for a week.

The water is clear, the fish is active.

 

[gbolton]

Then it sounds like your cycled if you used uncured live rock and now have those readings on the water parameters.

 

[Anthony8858]

Thanks.

FWIW.....What would be a "red flag" if my tank is NOT completely cycled?

What is it that would spike?

 

[Max]

amonia will spike first. you can expect a little after a feed or if you introduce a lot of ne l.r. for exzmple but, it should be a tiny amount.
hth
chris