You know your tank cycled when...

[hitman12131976]

...you consistently have

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0<x<20

for a week. Is this right?

 

[Pallen81]

looks good

 

[davexstumpe]

BINGO!

 

[Rbishop]

Well, did you do a fishy or fishless cycle?

 

[Rbishop]

If fishless....you dose to 3 ppm ammonia and 24 hrs later you have zero ammonia and nitirtes and an increase in nitrates

 

[Rbishop]

If fishy....you maintain zero ammonia and nitrites with a slowly increasing nitrate between water changes

 

[musho3210]

as long as during that week there was a source of ammonia, yes i would say it was cycled.

 

[hitman12131976]

fishy cycle and so far Ammo = 0, Rites = 0, and Rates = 5. Rates are going up. 30% water changes each week as well. Hopefully the cycle is done. I want to buy more fish but I don't want the new fish to be put through any stress.

 

[Rbishop]

Sounds like you are there then. Add slowly and let the filter catch up.

 

[jessicar613]

Woohooo time to go get a fish hitman!!