Complete newbie here! I bought a 32 gallon all in one saltwater tank last Thursday, added caribsea live sand, filled with salt water from my fish shop, and dosed with a bacteria starter that was recommended, along with a small pinch of fish flakes. I intended to purchase live rock the next day but ended up needing to leave town emergently. I’m now back and just kind of lost as to where I am in the cycle.
I know dosing with bacteria can make a tank cycle quickly, but there was nothing in my tank other than sand and a small pinch of fish flakes since Thursday. I just tested the water and it’s zero across the board (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate).
Am I basically starting fresh, needing to initiate cycling? Did my bacteria go to waste? Has it just not been long enough to see anything happen?
Any guidance would be amazing, thank you!