Well I have had my biocube 14 set up for about 4 days now. I am using sand from somebody elses torn down tank, also rock from that tank. The rock was covered in water in buckets for about a week and a half and same with the sand except it smelled a bit like sour milk but i think it was the water in it, a lot of the water evaporated so it wasnt completely full. Ive also added about 4lbs live rock from a tank at the LFS.

My readings are:
PH - Abour 8.0
Nitrite - 0.5
Nitrate - 0.0

I dont have the test for ammonia readings because it got ruined. Do I need to go buy the ammonioa test right away? Also has my cycle started or can you not tell without ammonia test? What should I do from here? has the cycle started or should I throw a piece of shrimp in there? Thank you

Ammonia's probably getting close to zero now. Nitrite at .5 indicates you're cycle is in progress.

Time to wait a couple of weeks.

Okay, So I added some more live rock from the LFS and now my readings are Nitrites - 0, Nitrates - 0, Im not sure what this means, can anybody help explain please?

If the new LR is fully cured, it could be processing the nitrite. However, I'd get the ammonia test to confirm the level. Once ammonia and nitrite are undetectable for a week straight, then you can start with a cleanup crew.

Wait 2 weeks, quit adding ####. Nothing good happens fast.

+1 I'm still cycling and it sucks waiting. My rock wasn't cure though. Your cycle should be shorter.

patience is golden in salt water setup.....u always wana make sure that ur test reads all 0 for a period of time bc its a new setup before u add anything in..... more likely ur 1st batch of fish will die so always go for cheap when ur tank is cycled and ready for u to take the 1st move....try damsels 1st and see how they react...

Patience is one thing I have and I am definately willing to wait and do it right the first time. One thing I am wondering about is do all tanks go through algae blooms and diatom blooms while cycling? Because my tank has yet to do this and I am questioning wether it is really even cycling. I just dont want to put something in there in a few weeks and have something go out of whack.

I didnt get any bloom until like day 10, i used cured 11lbs of cured LR 20lbs caribsea Live Sand in my aquapod12 gallon...
just wait it out...



and at day 14 i added 2 hermits, and like 3 snails to start eating the stuff.. and I also added 2 more hermits today