Ok, you say that the gravel is pretty thin... You mean like 1/4 inch thin, or an inch and a half thin? Depending, you may want to get some more gravel... I am putting about 25 lbs in my 36 gallon. I am making the assumption that having too thin a layer might not let enough nitrates (the good stuff) cultivate, but this should be confirmed by a more experienced aquarist.
Ok, Cycle is supposed to do the same thing as Bio-Spira. I have not heard a lot of positive outcomes with Cycle, but you may have some luck with it (fingers crossed). You may want to get a test kit and check the levels... I have a leaflet from my
LFS that had a chart...
In a normal cycling with starter fish the chart suggests that at about day 10 you will see a peak in the ammonia levels at around 5. At around day 30 you will see the peak of the nitrites at aroun 9-10. The nitrites would then drop over the next few days until they become so low all you see in the tests are the nitrAtes. Cycle is supposed ot only show miniscule spikes in the ammonia and nitrites.
By getting a test, you can moniter the water to make sure the ammonia and nitrites are low until the disappear.
You seems like me - very impatient and want everything done and working right - I am talking myself into being more patient with it because if I take my time and do it right, it will look fantastic and have happy fishies. If you find that Cycle doesn't do the job, try Bio-Spira.
And don't take what I say as law - I'm a newbie too. I think I'm just a couple pages ahead of you and since I just asked the same kind of questions I thought I'd share the answers I got