How Far Into Cycle

[cheeseburger]

My tests read
Ammonia:0.50
Nitrite:0.25ppm
Nitrate:20ppm
how far into cycling am i and how long do you reckon till i can add some fish
(i have a 3 striped damsel in there, hes been in there 3 days, he is swimming fine hes just scared,hiding behind filter)

 

[cheeseburger]

bump

 

[nolapete]

If the only source of bio load is the one damsel and he's only been in there 3 days, then 3 days and not close at all, probably 10% imho.

How long has the tank been set up?

What else have you done other than add the damsel?

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

not until they are all at zero for a awhile i believe.

Just give it some more time, once they all zero out watch it for a few days and make sure it stays at zero.

Never rush perfection.

Hope that damsel makes it.

Also, saw your other thread, your going to need more rock than one piece. the cycle will take forever.

 

[skene]

considering you already have a fish in there. you are no where even close to finishing the cycle. You still have high ammonia, nitrates and nitrite readings. The reason why your fish is hiding is probably because he is freaked out by the water conditions.

 

[cheeseburger]

i took the rock out cos it wasn't cured and put it in a bucket of fresh saltwater to cure with an airstone and 750lph flow, should i put it back in or buy more cured live rock
what do i do?

 

[skene]

Well you're like a VCR Fast Forward/Rewind/Play/Rewind/Fast Forward.

Make up your mind on what you're going to do!

IMHO... You should really give the fish back to the fish store. Buy 50 lbs of rock and leave it in the tank for 5-6 months before you put a fish or coral in the tank.
Keep the temp at 78*F keep the water flowing. Do water changes 2x a month.

Call it a day.

 

[Zoodiver]

Leave the fish in it, add some rock and let the tank cycle on it's own.

 

[ewurm]

Leave the fish in it, add some rock and let the tank cycle on it's own.

Three days probably means you are looking at another 27 at least. Definitely add some live rock. And listen to this guy ^^. He knows a thing or two about marine aquariums.