How to Know Your Aquarium has Cycled

Introduction

This is just going to be a short post, but there's so much confusion about this specific point in your aquarium's life, that it deserves a post all to itself.

So the point in time that you determine your cycle is finished is probably one of the most important points, as that is when you can add live stock. Get it wrong, and everything you add may die!

Of course, we don't want that.

So let's talk a bit about the cycle - the initial one anyways.

The initial cycle is where you are aiming to propagate enough microbes to deal with your eventual bioload.

So that also means that the initial cycle is complete, when you have enough microbes (in conjunction with all your other filter media) to deal with your aquarium's filtrative requirements.

Knowing When It is Done

Well simply enough, to know if you have enough microbes to deal with the eventual microbes, test your aquarium to see if it can deal with the eventual bioload.

All organic matter added to your aquarium will either be consumed and incorporated into organisms, be excreted, and/or be released into the atmosphere.

This means that there is a balance, and that there is no such thing as some fish releasing more waste than others (well yes some do, but that's just based on how efficiently they metabolize food and/or consume it). This means that whatever amount of food you add, that is the amount you have to deal with.

So to therefore test your filtrative capacity, simply add in the same amount of food you plan to feed.

Of course, food tend to be broken down by fish and stuff, so it is best if you break up your food as much as possible, to stimulate this.

If, by the next feeding cycle you test your water and parameters are in check, then your aquarium is cycled!

For example, if you plan to have two fish and feed them 20 pellets per day, you would test your aquarium by adding 20 pellets (smashed to pieces), and test your parameters the next day. If the parameters, such as ammonia and nitrite is zero and stuff, then you are sweet!

Depending on your filtration setup, nitrate and phosphate may not be zero - this is especially true if you rely heavily on water changes. But if you don't, you know you need some other method to reduce these.

And... that's all! Simple step to know.

If parameters aren't in check, then you know you need to grow more microbes. If there just not seem to be enough for your planned bioload, then you'll need to do something more - maybe add more filter media, or the likes.

Conclusion

To sum it all up:
-Add food as if you are feeding your live stock.
-If parameters are in check by the next intended feeding, you are sweet.
-If not, improve your filtration capacity.

Of course, always remember to separate myths from facts and know what is needed and not needed during a cycle.