[Nikki]

I am wondering how long I need to wait before introducing my first fish after cycling with live rock. I have read that normally cycling takes 3-8 weeks, but supposing (fingers crossed) that I never detect any ammonia or nitrite ... at what point do I term the tank ready?

Also, I have read that it is a good idea to introduce some fish food at this point (a small amount) to help the cycle along, is this a good reccomendation?

Thanks,
Nikki

[johnny gray]

your doing it just right but if u live in mass a hole bunch of us started a new site about 2 years ago its boston reefers.org/forums my name is johnny hope to here from you soon

[Reefland]

Assuming you are performing regualr ammonia and nitrite tests and see no kind of increase after ~2 weeks, begin performing nitrate tests. If your nitrate is hovering about or lower than (not on the rise) 30ppm, it would be safe to add your first fish. Make it a hardy fish and continue to monitor all 3 of these after the addition.

As for adding a little food. It wouldn't hurt to add a very small amount just so the bacteria colonies don't decrease in size from a lack of nutrients. I would make it a very small amount though every 3-4 days, nothing extreme.

[Nikki]

Thanks for the tips! I am testing the ammonia (0 so far), nitrite (also 0 so far) and didn't know not to start nitrate already so I have 5 ppm. Of course I have only been doing this for two days so we will see what might change :-)

Thanks!
Nikki