Cycling question

I started cycling my 40B six days ago with 40lbs dry rock and sand using API Quick Start and by adding enough ammonia to equal 2ppm on the API test. Today my readings are: ammonia=.5, nitrites=2, and nitrates=40ppm, so I'm guessing it's well along, even though it seems awfully soon.

Once my ammonia and nitrites hit 0 will it be okay to do my large water changes to bring my nitrates down and add my clean up crew or should I wait awhile longer, and if I wait, how long will the bacteria survive without ammonia?

Thanks

 

... I generally add a fish and or some snails, piece of shrimp?... when everything hits zero..have you had your diatom bloom yet...no bueno until you get good and brown : ) you got a few more weeks...should be no less than 30 or so days with the 40 gallon....imo

 

Thanks for the reply. No diatom bloom yet..I figure it's still a ways out there. So when would you say a cycle is complete, when the ammonia/nitrites hit zero or after the brown uglies?

 

Once your ammonia and nitrites hit zero then your bacteria has started to establish itself and your cycle is over. Soon after tht your diatom bloom will come then soon after disappear. I generally wait another week or so before I add my cuc but others may have different oppinions.

 

My cycle lasted 30 days using dry rock and a bag of table shrimp.
Then I added my 1st fish.
Next was an other 30 days of awful diatoms.

 

Probably my biggest two mistakes the first time were not doing enough research and listening to a bad LFS. "Sure that tank's big enough, just dump this in and 24 hours later add fish"

Miraculously the poor fish survived but I was in no way prepared for the fluctuating water parameters, diatom/algae blooms, or the outbreak of ich.

This time I think I know what I'm getting into and if not at least I know where to ask ;D

 

Well stated 8)

sounds reasonable..so many ways to get'r done... 60+ days sounds very realistic. : )

 

...learn as we grow. : )

 

Checked my levels today and I'm at Ammonia=0, Nitrites=.25, Nitrates=~30 and I'm getting brown spots on the sand, rocks and glass.

 

Doing well then. nitrates should subside soon. A water change will help bring those nitrates down after your nitrites disappear. After you get those nitrites and nitrates down, you could toss time food in and see if your ammonia spikes.