cycling the aquarium

[hack]

I have been reading the threads about cycling new aquariums, and seem to get just more confused.
I set up one of my 55's and cleaned my old gravel with bleach to clean everything, then, let it circulate for two days, added some biozyme and, today I got a dollars worth of feeder gold fish (ten) and dumped them in and fed them.
We will see how the old school method works.
Wadda ya think?

[mitcore]

have you tested the water?
what were the results?

[hack]

No! I did not test the water. I have a well and am assuming that the water is pure and , perhaps, a little alcaline. I need to get a ph tester, I guess.

[spudbuds]

You need a test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. ph is good to know too.

[mitcore]

as spud said you need to test all the levels ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels
if there is no ammonia, nitirite in the water it would be safe to add fish
you asked about cycling and my asking for test results were to be able to tell you if the tank has cycled

[KcEE]

Hmm...it would take some time for the tank to cycle. Say a week or two.

[spudbuds]

Yeah, I'm sure it's not close to cycled yet. You will need a test kit so you can watch the progress and know when the cycle is complete.

[hack]

I am the first to admit that I need help to fully understand just what it takes to make a balanced aquarium.
I understand that nitrites are bad and need to be converted to nitrates.
I know that ammonia is deadly, but am not sure how to avoid a buildup.
I added some Biozyme, I think that that is a bacteria, akin to the stuff that I put in the septic once a month.
any help or advice you can give to help me establish a clean, healthy aquarium would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[hack]

OK I read the thread by sticky, I am sure that I will have to read it a few more times, for it to stick in this old brain, but I do think I am getting it.