This isn't my first rodeo, but it is my first cycle...

So, to make a long story short, I have been keeping reef tanks for about 6 months now, but when I got into the hobby, I purchased everything I needed off of Craigslist and it was pre-established.

I am now setting up a 46 gallon bow front using dry rock as the base and crushed coral as substrate. I took a piece of the live rock from one of my other tanks, added 3 table shrimp and have been cycling for about 3 weeks now.

In addition, I purchased some Biozyme and added it based on their reco for a new tank- one 1/4 teaspoon per day for 7 days.

I have been testing for ammonia and nitrites as often as possible (difficult because I had to travel intermittently for work) and noticed an ammonia spike pretty quickly. I monitored it, but did not see a nitrite spike over the past few days.

I just tested it again tonight and my ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are all reading zero, but I am worried that I might not be fully cycled. Does anyone have any experience with using biozyme and or dry rock to cycle? If so, do you think it is safe for me to start adding inhabitants slowly?

As I mentioned I never went through the cycle phase and now I'm kicking myself

Thanks

 

Adding the piece of established LR introduced the bacteria into your tank, so you only needed to wait for it to multiply and grow. Using a bacterial supplement would intensify that effect.

Are the shrimp still in the tank? If so, then you've created one helluva bio-filter. If you took them out, I'd suggest throwing one back in and watching the levels for a few more days.

 

Yea, all 3 are still in there and looking pretty nasty...

Should I pull them out and put in a few CUC?

 

Personally, I would pull them out and add fish. However, others leave the shrimp in and add the CuC and allow the hermits, snails, etc to feed on the shrimp. They are scavengers, so it won't hurt.