quick question on my cycle

[bonnie3188]

Hey everyone,

I started my cycle (75g tank) a week ago by adding 30kgs (approx 65 lbs?) of live rock and threw in a couple of raw shrimp. The live rock was in a giant tub at the LFS with good circulation, but the guy from the LFS said it had been there for about a month and would be perfect for cycling.

Water is at about 26 degrees (80F?) and all my equipment is on (see my info). Been testing for ammonia and nitrates, and ammonia is barely present, about 0.25-0.50 ppm and 0 nitrites. When i see the ammonia 'spike' what sort of number in terms of ppm is normal during a spike? Also how suddenly does the spike occur, or is it a gradual climb over a few days?

Most things i've read say the ammonia should spike after about 4-5 days. what should i do if i don't see a spike in the next couple of days?

Thanks

 

[austinsdad]

Shrimp been in there for a week? It should be out by now. .50 is high for ammonia. I forgot, how high does the test kit read? You may already be where you need to be on this, and if so, you'll see nitrites rise soon and the ammonia come down.

Or it could be that the rock you got may have already been cured and have bacteria already on it - thereby consuming ammonia.

 

[Johnny Cakes]

Are nitrates going up?

 

[bonnie3188]

hey, thanks for the replies.

all readings are:
ph 8.2
amm .25ppm
nitrite 0ppm
nitrate 5ppm

the shrimps i threw in have disintergrated. is it possible with the amount of live rock that i put in that i may have bypassed the cycle, or just of had a very small one?

 

[melosu58]

It looks like you are in the cycle right now. Wait now for your ammonia to go down and nitrates to go up. Then you will do a PWC and you`re ready to start