Cycling tank, what am I doing wrong!

guppygal · Post by **guppygal** » 06 Oct 2006, 18:08

I've had two tanks re-set up since Sept 12. A 5 gal qt and a 10 gal. The 10 gal was running since june ... I had some sick fish and I broke down the tank leaving the filter and just rinsing the gravel. But using 1:20 bleach for decorations and fake plants.

Since then on both tanks I am getting all 0s for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. It has now been 25 days!!!

How can I go sooo long with no readings??? Especially with the 4 cories in the 5 gallon qt tank.

I am using new API tests. No real plants.

In my 10 g I have 3 guppies.

I was changing the water on the 5 gal every other day for fear of a ammonia spike and the 10 gal I am doing weekly.

What is going on???? Where is my bacteria???

Thanks for any thoughts you may have!!

guppygal · Post by **guppygal** » 08 Oct 2006, 18:47

Nobody has any thoughts as to why I am not seeing any readings.

Sigh ....

Mike_Noren · Post by **Mike_Noren** » 08 Oct 2006, 19:47

Because your tank has already cycled?

ZebraFanatic · Post by **ZebraFanatic** » 09 Oct 2006, 09:05

Mike_Noren wrote:Because your tank has already cycled?

I'd say so too!

guppygal · Post by **guppygal** » 09 Oct 2006, 17:04

But no Nitrates?? or at least not a 5??

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 09 Oct 2006, 17:28

4 weeks and no filter-cleaning should have your tank fully cycled as the other posters. You should have some nitrates. If not, you should have some ammonia or nitrite - and they show up at much lower levels..

Have you done any water changes?

But maybe more importantly: When did you get your nitrate test. I personally have seen "failed" nitrate tests due to age [or at least, I think it's age - sitting in the cupboard not being used after first few times of usage, if that makes sense]. You may want to take a water-sample to your local shop and see what they say... If you nitrate test is "gone off", you may find that it's showing zero for everything...

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Mats

guppygal · Post by **guppygal** » 09 Oct 2006, 23:57

I have done ton of water changes - every 2 days on the 5 gallon and weekly on the 10 gallon. I am now stretching the 5 gallon to a week - but still testing everyday.

4 weeks and still nothing - but I see lots of bacteria on the filter! I just find it hard to believe I have cycled and have REALLY now nitrAtes!

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 10 Oct 2006, 12:04

As stated before, I'd double check by taking a water-sample to a local fish-shop. If they are a good "mom & pop" store, they'll probably even do the test for free. If not, it'll cost you a dollar or two per test [I'd take a sample from each tank, so you know what both are]. I'd start with a nitrate test, and if that's not showing anything, ask them to do a nitrite and ammonia check too - but if their test shows some nitrate, then you'd be fine, I think.

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Mats

jellyfish · Post by **jellyfish** » 10 Oct 2006, 16:00

When you say water changes, how much are you changing in each tank each time?