Cycle almost over

[thelitone]

Well my initial cycle is almost over.
ammonia=.25ppm
nitrates=10ppm
i dont have a nitrite test. i know i need to do a large water change when its over. or a few smaller ones? i have another question. what would be the best livestock to add after the cycle? some inverts? a hardie fish or two? also what is this growing on my rock? wasnt there when i got it. the little purpple specs.(see pic)

 

[g0rFz]

i first put in a shrimp, he survived for a month and then i bought my cleanup crew snails/hermits and then waited and did 1 fish at atime.

the purple dots are some sort of algae i assume, probably isn't that purple coralline yet though

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Just FYI, you'll need a nitrite test to know when the cycle is over.

If you don't have any critters in the tank after the cycle (hopefully you don't) you can do as large as water changes as you want. Only reason for small ones is so you don't change the water parameters too much in one shot.

After the cycle, I'd add snails and buy your first fish (just one) and put it in the quarantine tank (hint hint).