Jstkpswming

Been cycling my tank for 5 weeks now and have yet to get even a hint of nitrite in the tank, always comes up 0ppm. I have 1 fish in it and have been doing daily water changes to keep ammonia low. I know this will slow the process but how long is this supposed to take? Is it ok to use Tetra safestart with a fish? Im thinking about just purchasing it online and getting it over with. For all i know my tank isnt any closer to cycling than the first day i got it. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Also, i have tried biozyme and am on day 6, so far nothing.

Thanks

Jstkpswming

Been cycling my tank for 5 weeks now and have yet to get even a hint of nitrite in the tank, always comes up 0ppm. I have 1 fish in it and have been doing daily water changes to keep ammonia low. I know this will slow the process but how long is this supposed to take? Is it ok to use Tetra safestart with a fish? Im thinking about just purchasing it online and getting it over with. For all i know my tank isnt any closer to cycling than the first day i got it. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Also, i have tried biozyme and am on day 6, so far nothing.

Thanks

Drew 43920

How are you measuring nitrite ? How are you measuring ammonia ? What is your nitrate level ?

Jstkpswming

using master test kit...ammonia is less than .25ppm, nitrite is 0ppm, nitrate 0ppm

Llama

Given you're only using one fish (What kind is that?) and you're doign 50% water changes I suppose you're reducing or removing the toxins from the water enough such that the NO2 bacteria don't have anything to work with.

What kind of fish do you have running around?

aquarist48

You may want to consider doing a change every other day. Give your tank a chance to catch up with some bacteria it needs to start developing. I think Llama is correct

aquarist48

How big of a water change are you doing every day? You may be removing too much water and the cycle has nothing to feed on. As for biozyme...I haven't heard anything about it. Tetra safestart with fish can be a 50/50 thing as well.
It is meant to be used with fish while cycling.
What test kit are you using?

Shawnie

biozyme is another one of those that isnt active bacteria without the water...the water changes are all you can do at this point and wait, or get the TSS and put it in right after a 50-60% water change then leave it be for 7-10 days...goodluck either way

Shawnie

biozyme is another one of those that isnt active bacteria without the water...the water changes are all you can do at this point and wait, or get the TSS and put it in right after a 50-60% water change then leave it be for 7-10 days...goodluck either way

edit: the tank is only 14 gals , you should have something other than ammonia after 5 weeks...unless its a blue neon or something in there

capekate

I have merged your two threads, as it is confusing for others to answer the same question in two different places.

Shawnie

tell me about it LOL im a ditz without help

capekate

...it was confusing lol...

IIIHawKIII

I agree. You aren't generating very much ammonia. Then before the bacteria can use it, you take it out via water change.

Think of the ammonia as food for your bacteria. They need the food to grow and reproduce.

I think some members here get a little over zealous with water changes. So I would suspend changes until you get a reading of .25 and let that sit for 12 hours. Then do a 20 percent WC.

Or, see if you can return the fish for credit until you can fishless cycle. Or get a 5 gallon bucket throw a heater and airstone in there and do water changes with dechlor water every day in the bucket. Match temperatures. Then cycle your tank fishless.

Jstkpswming

thank you all so much for the advice, ill let you know what happens!

Jstkpswming

So i have stopped the water changes and its been about a week. using master test kit, ammonia reads 1ppm, nitrite 0 and nitrate 0. it has now been a month and a half with no nitrite readings. I now have 1 molly and 5 zebra danios. i know fish cycles shouldnt be done, but initially i had test strips and misinterpreted them that my tank was cycled. now im freaking out because they are exposed to ammonia all the while the tanks seems to be stuck in gear one. what to do now?

Thanks!

Lucy

Personally, I'd start with water changes again and use Prime or Stress Coat+ to detox the ammonia between water changes.
Cycling with fish takes longer because you're removing the ammonia the bacteria needs to develop, but you do it for the hralth of your fish.
What's your pH?