When to test for nitrate/nitrite

[jandc805]

So i have started my cycle, Today is Tuesday and it was started on Sunday. I added live sand my artificial reef insert and water on Sunday and let the sand settle overnight. I added salt monday afternoon and I know I'm supposed to wait 24 hours but I did a quick pH test with my refractometer this morning before I left to work and it tested at 1.025 I will test after work and go from there. I will add some live rock tommorrow so my question is, when should I start testing for Nitrate/Nitrite and ammonium?

 

[NyteGTI]

you'll need an ammonia source. drop a live shrimp in the tank(after you add all your rock). In a net or something the like would be preferred to help with cleanup. It will start to decompose & create some ammonia which will start your cycle. If you just let it sit your bacteria on your live rock will just die off from no ammonia to feed it.

 

[AquaRick]

You can also opt for pure ammonia. (Ace hardware brand works well). I like this method so i can keep redosing as needed to get a quicker cycle.

Take a look:
The (almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling

 

[dave333539]

A good way that I've found to do it is to feed the tank as you would the fish you want to put in it. By feeding every day there is a constant source of food for the bacteria instead of just a single feeding. This will allow both types of bacteria (ammonia->nitrite and nitrite->nitrate) to grow continuously and not die off once their food has stopped.