Would there not have been enough good bacteria in live sand and live rock as all in all tank has been cycling for 22 days and prawns been in for 4 days? Getting confused as lfs I got rock and sand off said , if I have 0 nitrite and 0 nitrate it could have cycled without the prawns. They also said that it will keep showing low ammonia because of prawns and to take them out and do a water change. Thinking of giving up already as it seems I can't trust the shop! Also there was a small bag of fluid stuff that came with sand would that of been the good bacteria? Take into account that I did not do any water checks for the first two weeks? Please let me know what you think? Thanks
After the cycle you should test
0 for ammonia
And 0 for nitrites
When it's finished you will have high nitrates
That's when you do a water change .
I'm sure you will hear it more then once .
Your local fish store are sales men and paid to sell you what ever they can .
Everyone has a different opinion.
When you are finished the cycle you should be able to drop a shrimp or prawn in and ammonia will drop to 0 within 24hrs
Live sand and live rock .
When they say live they are referring to beneficial bacteria .
In order for the cycle to start you need to have a constant ammonia source and maintain that high level of ammonia until it's consumed and transformed to nitrite .
Then you will experience high nitrite till it changes to nitrate .
When ammonia and nitrite are both 0 do a large water change and you're set to go . You can purchase nitrifying bacteria to speed it up