avg cycle time?

[TXclownin']

I dropped a shrimp in to begin my cycle a couple of days ago and was wondering how long on average it will take to get this cycle complete. The tank is approximately 23 gallons. I know you cant rush this process and Ill start taking tests on ammonia, trites, and trates in a few more days. I was hoping this wouldnt take more than about 14-20 days. Does that sound about right?

 

[midiman]

I think at LEAST 14 days, but more info would be helpful. DO you have LR in place? Sand?

 

[TXclownin']

No live rock as this is my first setup and ill be moving (and mostlikely be moving up to a larger tank) in about 3 months. I have 40lbs of Yardright sand.

-Jason

 

[malkore]

Typcially 4 weeks, up to 6 weeks. I've heard of 8 week cycles too.

Do NOT rush this. Without LR, your tank will cycle slower. I doubt Yardright is aragonite sand, so it's not going to buffer your water, so do keep an eye on alkalinity and pH.

 

[TXclownin']

it is aragonite

 

[TXclownin']

Coming up on one week and still no major shrimp deterioration..........getting bored.

 

[zacdl]

Just wait.

The final deterioration is really fast.

 

[sango]

My cycle finished up in one week. I used 2 jumbo shrimp and about 40lbs or lr

 

[zacdl]

Mine took about 2 weeks. All I used was shrimp.

 

[TXclownin']

Thanks for the encouragement. Lord knows it smells bad enough. Ill be testing it tomorrow for ammonia and nitrates to see where I stand at week 1.

 

[zacdl]

Actually I am redoing my cycle, I am not even going to test it until later this week (Put the shirmp in Friday)

 

[mjvincent]

My 32 gallon hex only took a couple weeks to cycle with 14 pounds of lr and 13 pounds base rock.