Cycling my first salt tank

Question
i tested my 75 gallon tank after having started it four days ago.  it tested positive for ammonia.  I didnt know at that time that it was part of the cycling process.  I removed it and now am wondering what I need to do to get it back to restart the cycling process.  Please help!!!!

Answer
Hello Chad. During the start up period of your tank you will need some source of ammonia to get the cycling process under way. Most people use small hardy fish, live rock or small hermit crabs to introduce ammonia to their system. It is very normal in the first few days after something alive has been introduced for you to start to see ammonia levels going up in your tank. Usually the ammonia level will reach its peak some where between the 6th to 12th day after livestock has been introduced(provided you don't overstock it in the beginning). Some where in this ammonia spiking period you will start to notice your nitrites going up as your first set of bacteria called nitrosomonas bacteria start to colonize and reproduce. This will usually coincide with the ammonia level dropping and the nitrites should peak around day 20. As your nitrites begin to go down a second set of bacteria called nitrobacter bacteria will start to colonize your tank. At this point you will be getting a slight reading for nitrates, usually around day 30. That is when you should do your first partial water change(before your nitrates reach 10ppm). If you removed the ammonia before your tank has had a chance to start the cycling process don't worry. What ever you have put in there that produced ammonia should still be producing it and you should start this process over. If you did not add any livestock then I would say to go ahead and add something small to get it going. You could also try using a maturation fluid instead of livestock. (however this can be a little boring to sit and look at an empty tank for four weeks!) Everything will be fine. You will just simply need to add a source of ammonia to your tank to get it started again!