Cycling

[ClownieTang]

How do you know when your saltwater aquarium has been fully cycled?
At 2 weeks, all the trite, trate, ammonia levels, salinity, are perfect according to my test readings

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

After adding the live rock and sand (and if needed, an ammonia source), you should test ammonia, nitrites and nitrates often (preferrably daily) to watch the individual levels rise and fall. Once the cycle is complete, you should have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and measurable nitrates. At that point, the cycle should be complete but it is recommended to wait at least a couple of weeks (while feeding the tank small amounts every couple of days) to be sure the system is stable and the bacteria has had some time to establish in good numbers. What could happen if you don't give that 2-3 week buffer time, is that the addition of livestock can cause a mini cycle or another full blown cycle.

[ClownieTang]

well i have had live sand and live rock in my 100g tank since the beginning.
diatoms everywhere, green hair algae on some rocks.
and all my trite, trate, ammonia, salinity, phos, and everything else is perfect.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Sounds like you're well on your way then. Best to err on the side of caution and give it a couple/few more weeks though. Each tank is different when it comes to the length of the initial cycle. My tank (75g) took a full 6 weeks to read 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites. I waited another two weeks before adding my clean up crew. Followed by 6 weeks before adding 2 small clownfish (they were in quarantine for the six weeks). And another 6 weeks for the next fish and so on... I'm a firm believer in utilizing a quarantine process for new additions.

[ClownieTang]

how is it possible that its all perfect at 2 weeks though? it has been cycling with a protein skimmer, sock, and phosban 550.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I guess with the right amount of quality, well cured live rock, anything can happen.

[Reefing Madness]

How do you know when your saltwater aquarium has been fully cycled?
At 2 weeks, all the trite, trate, ammonia levels, salinity, are perfect according to my test readings

0 is considered a perfect reading. What are yours?

[ClownieTang]

exactly that, i checked online, all my readings were perfect
only the salinity was a little off : 1.022

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

exactly that, i checked online, all my readings were perfect only the salinity was a little off : 1.022

How high was ammonia and nitrites during the cycle? You're saying nitrates are 0? Although not impossible, it's strange that nitrates are 0. When my tank finished cycling, trates were around 80ppm.

[Reefing Madness]

Thats really impressive after a couple weeks. Had to have used Fully Cured Live Rock. On your way.