Cycle Question Nano Tank

[Amelia Lee]

What is a reasonable time for a cycle for pre-cured live rock, live sand (never taken out of water) with a clean up crew in a 5 gallon Pico Reef? I know I will continue testing until there's no ammonia, and the pH is correct, etc etc. but I have been told anywhere between 1 day and 1 month. I just want to know any other good signs of a cycled tank ready for livestock.
I am also adding Bio-Spira, and a couple other pre-livestock additives. I am going to do a water change or two, during the cycle.

 

[ITreeferVA]

you will probably get a small amount of ammonia if care was taken when getting the live rock to the tank from wherever you got it,same with the sand,being some bacteria may have died off. should diminish in 24 hours or so then I would do a 5% water change and role with it

 

[Amelia Lee]

you will probably get a small amount of ammonia if care was taken when getting the live rock to the tank from wherever you got it,same with the sand,being some bacteria may have died off. should diminish in 24 hours or so then I would do a 5% water change and role with it

awesome, thanks! that's what I figured, but didn't want to rush things too much. I know a tiny bit will die which I can easily monitor but didn't know if there would be spikes later on.

 

[ITreeferVA]

should be alright! just don't stock it to fast

 

[brandon429]

good specifics here
http://reef2reef.com/threads/new-ta...d-cocktail-shrimp-live-rock-no-shrimp.214618/

 

[Derek4real]

it really depends on "how" much bacteria you start with. That's why cycle lengths vary from tank to tank.

ex: Tank A may have x amount of bacteria and tank B has y amount of bacteria, Tank B cycles faster cause it had more bacteria than tank A.

There are lots of other variables to consider as well. I would say a week to two weeks is pretty normal, in most cases.