cycling my 220g

[sully08]

Originally Posted by naesco

No do not add a fish until you verify your readings.
What are your readings? I would also take a sample of your tank water to your LFS to verify your readings in case your test kit is off.

My readings are pretty much nil across the board (am.,nit,nitrate,phos.) I trust my readings more than the lfs around here, some 15 yr. old that does not know what he/she is doing. No affence to the 15 yr. olds of can-reef

[phi delt reefer]

Originally Posted by sully08

Can you explain dry rock, is this the base rock or the well cured live rock with minimal life on it?

www.eco-reefer.com - Its rock from a pre-historic reef or something. looks like this;

[abcha0s]

I'd say your tank is fine to start adding fish. Just add them slowly. No more than one or two as first additions.

The thing about cycles is that it's all about 'balance'. Bacteria colonies will reproduce in accordance with the food supply. If food runs out, the populations will start to decline.

If there was minimal die off when you transfered the live rock, then the bacterial colonies will be somewhat stable. However, they won't stay stable for long. Adding a couple of fish will help to balance out the bacterial food supply.

The risk is an ammonia spike, but there would need to be a rapid increase in organic matter in the system. The ammonia will only be detectable if the breakdown of organics outpaces the rate at which the bacteria can consume it. This is when the bacteria really start to reproduce rapidly, but I don't think that it's relevant to your current situation.

- Brad