New tank cycling

[JC50g]

So I put water in my new 50g tank 7 days ago. It has 40lb dry rock and had 40lb of CaribSea arag alive sand. I also added dr tims bacteria to the water. The ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are all measuring 0. Is this normal? I was expecting there to be some change.

 

[IAReefer]

Did you add ammonium chloride? You’ll want to dose to 2ppm and test. Once it drops to zero from a 2ppm dose, you’ll be safe to slowly add livestock (1-2 fish, snails)

 

[JC50g]

Did you add ammonium chloride? You’ll want to dose to 2ppm and test. Once it drops to zero from a 2ppm dose, you’ll be safe to slowly add livestock (1-2 fish, snails)

i have been going with the raw shrimp method. Do you think I should also add ammonia?

 

[Andrew9909]

I would think that after 7 days you should start seeing some ammonia.

 

[W1ngz]

You can wait, or remove the shrimp and use ammonia. You should be seeing some kind of result between those three tests, assuming they are being done correctly.

 

[IAReefer]

i have been going with the raw shrimp method. Do you think I should also add ammonia?

The shrimp will eventually start to rot and add ammonia. Keep the lights off and let it cycle, test for ammonia.

 

[JC50g]

Thank you all, I’ll make some changes and check it again in a couple of days.