Okay, so I got this 55 gallon tall tank. Put 50 lbs of silica sand in, new, a bunch of plant from the pet store and some from my other established tanks. I put a lot of the gravel in there from a 10 gallon I was converting from and the filter that I had on that tank that was rated for a 45 gallon. Got a new filter which is also on. I also have all the cheap ugly decor I've had in the other tank as well. Put all the fry into the tank from the 10. About 15-20 baby guppies and platties. As well as one momma about to burst. Is that enough to kick off the cycle? I don't have a test kit yet. I plan to but every time I go to the LFS, I talk myself out of it. lol.

A little feedback......Stop talking yourself out of the test kit. It should be one, if not the most important thing you need for a cycling tank.....Get the API master test kit. Dont waist time with strips.

IMO you are on the right track and should cycle fast, however i dont think you would be creating enough waist with the fry.....

lol ok, should I put in more fish? Like how many guppies would ya say?

I have adults I can put in...

if you want to "fish in" cycle, then i would go for 6-10 and feed every other day. They dont create much waist, they are hardy... Get that test kit and keep an eye on your levels :-)

Is this going to be a 55g fry tank?

I'm not sure. Probably not. I'm thinking of putting some pretty things in it, it's in my daughter's room. Our first high tech tank and the last place we had to put it was in her room lol. Probably some angels, not really sure what else. Just swap out the fry when we figure out what to do with them.