First time tank cycling!

[Ok_cowboy1]

I am completely new to the hobby and recently started a 65 gallon corner flow aquarium with sump! I have 60 lbs of live rock and 40 lbs of live sand in it! It has been running since Saturday sept 3rd. My question is the tank hasn't starting cycling yet! My LFS is suggesting I put a fish in to start the cycle and I am not comfortable with that! He also recommended that I put 5 hermit crabs in as well! Again not sure if I am comfortable! I also think putting the raw shrimp is not a great idea imo! So I guess my question is how can I start my cycle! Am I better off letting time take its turn, or adding bio spire or something like that? Any suggestions or thoughts would greatly be appreciated!

 

[cromag27]

http://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Fishless-Cycle

 

[tomtom2245]

I have done both methods of adding some food to the tank and using bottles bacteria and not work well to get the cycle going.

 

[Robink]

+1 on the fishless cycle. I just finished mine using Dr. tim's bacteria and ammonium chloride. 11 days and the cycle was complete.
You can get both on amazon.http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/how-to-start

 

[cromag27]

Exactly. since ammonia starts the cycle at a certain ppm range, why not use pure ammonia and dose it under a controlled environment?

I have done both methods of adding some food to the tank and using bottles bacteria and not work well to get the cycle going.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I am completely new to the hobby and recently started a 65 gallon corner flow aquarium with sump! I have 60 lbs of live rock and 40 lbs of live sand in it! It has been running since Saturday sept 3rd. My question is the tank hasn't starting cycling yet! My LFS is suggesting I put a fish in to start the cycle and I am not comfortable with that! He also recommended that I put 5 hermit crabs in as well! Again not sure if I am comfortable! I also think putting the raw shrimp is not a great idea imo! So I guess my question is how can I start my cycle! Am I better off letting time take its turn, or adding bio spire or something like that? Any suggestions or thoughts would greatly be appreciated!

How do you know it hasn't started. Live sand live rock= cycling.

 

[jsker]

Your better off letting time take its turn. Let the system brew for another 2 weeks before even considering adding a cleaning crew. 8 to 10 weeks before adding a fish.

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

How do you know it hasn't started. Live sand live rock= cycling.

I don't know that it hasn't cycled! When I had water tested they were as follows, ammonia-0, nitrate-o, nitrite-5 and ph-8.0 salinity 1.023

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I don't know that it hasn't cycled! When I had water tested they were as follows, ammonia-0, nitrate-o, nitrite-5 and ph-8.0 salinity 1.023

A great read and refresher.
http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/how-to-start
I met The Dr too. Neat guy.
They have all the steps laid out. a bit long winded. Dr T one and only and Ammonia as everyone suggested. You can test if it has cycled and/or kick start it. imo the more diverse the bacteria the better.