Cycle only took 2 weeks?

[HIP-oboe-85]

Hey all,

So I started this hobby about a year ago with a 29 gallon fowlr. Around Christmas, I found a 55 for dirt cheap and decided to upgrade with a sump, refuge, etc., etc.

I finally got it all plumbed and filled 2 weeks ago, and basically transferred most of my live rock and sand, and started cycling with a large, uncooked shrimp from publix. After 3 days, ammonia was reading at 8ppm, so I removed it. The next day it was at 1ppm and nitrite was at .25ppm.

It has been less than 2 weeks, and this morning my water is testing at 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites. I tested several times, and against my 29 nano (which still has a clown, a pink tile star, an emerald crab, and several feather dusters), just to make sure the testing colors matched.

Does this seem fast to anyone else? Or is it simply because I used well established rock, sand, and filter media? I don't want to rush ahead with a 100% water change only to have it crash in a week!

 

[piranhaman00]

Yes, you were cycled on day 1. No need to let ammonia build up from decaying shrimp.

FWIW the whole 30 day cycle thing is not a thing anymore. With bacteria in a bottle you can cycle overnight but in your case, using seeded rock is the best option. You are good to go.

 

[JGT]

Agreed. Using established live rock, sand and media, you didn’t even need to add the shrimp. You can start adding fish. But take it slow.

 

[HIP-oboe-85]

Thanks for the info. I figured this was the case, that my established media helped. But, I had a huge crash a few months after first starting and lost everything, so better safe than sorry in my book.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Yeah we call it a skip cycle. Agree that you were good to go day 1 but nothing wrong with being cautious. Enjoy the new tank!

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

If i could add live rock, a lot of hardy corals with some size, and a few fish within a couple weeks--i would every time i start a tank. The live rock and corals have bacteria to outcompete nusiance algae and process fish waste. The fish waste feeds the beneficial bacteria. And the corals living and growing suck up nutrients further prevent nuisance algae from taking hold.... stability is achieved far quicker IMO, and any variance in water parameters hardy corals could care less.

Once the tank get growing gang buster, swap out or sell the hardy corals for what u really want...