Sometimes the cycle isn't seen like you want it to be, for various reasons. This is why I don't worry about what happens in my tank and I let it sit for 12 weeks without testing. Many people want to see a cycle so they can go ahead and add livestock or to better understand what is happening. Three years down the road, it doesn't matter if the tank cycled or how it cycled for that matter. And I guess this is why it doesn't matter to me, but I completely understand people that want to SEE it. If that is the case, others can pipe in and help you see it.
Patience is the true key to success in this hobby.
As far as temps, 80 is good for a reef tank. You are seeing ammonia which is good. What kind of test kits are you using? Most people in this hobby use Salifert test kits and many reefers believe that if the test kit isn't salifert then don't trust the results. Do you have a LFS in the area that can test your water?
Sounds like u have a nice setup- 10g with an AquaC Remora is a great start, but just remember nanos require lots of attention since things can go wrong very fast and there is no forgiving with a low water volume. Just stay on top of things. I'm not sure if this is your first tank or not so just trying to tell you everything I can think of to help you out.
__________________ Gwen - 2008 Atlanta Reef Club Board MACNA XX Committee 125g RR AGA "The Simple Reef Tank"
Thanks for your reply! Well, it's not critical that I see the full cycle take place with test kits, but I do want to make sure it is finished before I add a fish. Sometimes cycles last longer than others, etc.
Actually, I do think that the temperature makes a difference. I think when the temperature is higher everything should go quicker.
That's a good suggestion to take it to a LFS. It wouldn't hurt to get a 2nd opinion for my test kit.
What are you using for filtration besides your skimmer? If the tank is bare bottom (BB) and you don't have any live rock (LR) or a sponge filter there is no place for the good bacteria to live and I am not sure that you would ever see any appreciable levels of nitrite or nitrate. You would however get ammonia from the decomposing shrimp.
If your water is getting cloudy I would definitely get the shrimp out of there.
I think that your temp is fine and would not increase it. I don't know for sure but it seems to me that you would have to really push it up high in order to make a real difference in the time it takes to cycle.
I do have an AquaClear Powerfilter on the tank with sponges in it for biological filtration. That's where I was planning for the nitrifying bacteria to live.
Yeah, I wasn't sure about the whitish-cloudiness. Today it actually looks better, like it's cleared up a bit. So maybe I'll wait a day or so to see what happens.
- the LFS confirmed that I had 0 nitrite, so I assume the test kit is ok
- it's now been 3.5 weeks and I'm showing ZERO nitrite! I just don't understand it. I'm running a power filter with sponges, so there should be a place for the bacteria to live.
- Ammonia is between 4-6. Salinity is a little low: 1.020; temp is 78
- I'm not showing any Nitrate either
I don't think it should take 12 weeks to show Nitrite. Robert Fenner (Conscientious Marine Aquarist) says it should take 4 days before Nitrite begins to accumulate in small amounts. Obviously it doesn't peak until about the 3 week mark. So I should expect to see something by this point.
I'm not using the tank as a hospital tank but as a quarantine tank. I wouldn't dose medication unless the fish was sick. And I'm putting the fish in there to make sure they aren't sick before they go in the main tank.
If you want to be safe and you aren't sure, then wait a long time. Patience always works. There are more factors to consider then waiting for the nitrogen to end; maturing your tank is just as important.
im not going to get into the cycle debate, as it varies on so many things
but what i will say, is that a fish is in a QT for about 4-6 weeks. since this tank is essentially empty besides water and maybe a sponge filter, you it wont complete the cycle. and it should simply be maintained with water changes.
__________________
Show people you appreciate there advice, click the icon under there name and give them Reputation points
Hmmm, good point, Rob. Or maybe it will take so long to establish that it isn't worth the wait. What do you think of the following plan?
1) Drain the water
2) Put in friend's water from water-change (I don't have my main tank up yet)
3) Continue to run sponge filter
4) Add two clowns and monitor amonia carefully.
5) Run Aqua-C Remora skimmer and feed sparingly
And I guess this is why it doesn't matter to me, but I completely understand people that want to SEE it. If that is the case, others can pipe in and help you see it. 
icon under their name to add to their reputation. 
USA 
