Having trouble cycling tank

[TheBaron]

Hi there. A while ago, I came on here and was asking for advice about cycling a new tank that I bought (6 gallon).

I went the fishless option, on the advice that I read on here. I have added ammonia to my tank, and have been doing water tests for around two weeks now. Ammonia is still high, up around 5, and has not lowered at all. I have not added any drops for some time now. The water seems to have been slightly cloudy in the last few days.

So far, I am yet to have any readings of nitrites or nitrates. This is after about two weeks of waiting after initially getting the ammonia level to around 5.

This is a bit frustrating. Does it ever take this long for the cycle to begin?

I'm starting to wonder whether or not I should have just taken the advice of other people I know who have put their fish straight in and been successful (there are five other people at my workplace who have done this - I'm sure they think what I am doing is pretty strange . . . ).

 

[Butterfly]

Sometimes it takes as long as six weeks to cycle a tank completely. Patience is the word of the day Your fish will thank you for going the fishless cycle route, even though your co-workers did put their fish in first I imagine their fish were a little uncomfortable(did they lose any?) for a good while as the Ammonia and Nitrites sorted out.
The cloudiness you are noticing is the beneficial bacteria building , this is called a bacteria bloom. sounds like you are well on your way(your cycle has begun). Keep testing and good luck.
So they think your strange.... Your not strange, your more humane
Carol

 

[Wolfman]

It took my tank 11 weeks to cycle just hang in there