cycling (not the bike)

I know this has probably been gone over many, many times, but I just want to make sure. Is the only point to cycling to allow the bacteria to grow? So theoretically, if the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are all 0 after two days, then it's safe to begin to add fish? ( I know this doesn't happen, humor me)

 

If this is a new set up ? At just two days you have not even started the cycle Test again is about 7 days If you started the system as a sterile set up then you need to put something in there to live or rot to start the cycling. I prefer a single yellow tail damsel myself.. rather then a hunk of some meat to rot ..It takes my systems to cycle about 3 months with the little fish all by him self..

 

um if everything was that way and stable for like a week or so, then i am sure it would be done

 

Im sorry, i should have clarified. I haven't setup my tank yet, I was just wondering it that is the purpose of the cycle, to grow the bacteria. I am planning on using live rock btw. Also, the two day thing was just an extreme exaggeration just to get the principle across.

 

dump 50lbs of lr in your tank, talk about a fast cycle

 

mattchew, is that what you did?

 

Remember, it's more than just the amm, nitrites and nitrates, your tank needs time to set up a complex biological filter and adjust to initial bioload before it can be considered safe. SSSSSSLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW is the way to go, very rarely does anyone rush things and end up happy with the result. I'm just stating facts, I know it's just a hypothetical situation A lot of people recommend 3 months, then slowly add some livestock, like 1 fish a month, lets the bioload adjust to new additions. Those three months will be LONG 3 months, trust me! Good luck!

 

thanks for the advice, i do plan on taking it slowly. I can't start until im done school and get back home. I have a 55gal waiting for me. Looking at pics has made me real excited!

 

yes sir. but i had fully cured and inhabited LR to put in my new tank from a mature tank, and about 20lbs of live sand, w/ sand from a mature tank, and some water from it as well, hit your buddies up if they have a mature tank for some goodies.

i dumped about 60 more lbs of cured LR from lfs in there as well.

took about 3 weeks for everything to level out , then i swapped fish from my mature tank in the new one

 

unfortunately I don't have that luxury, but I do have lots of time, thanks