5 weeks of cycling and still no nitrites!?

At this point you should have passed the nitrite spike and nitrates should be starting to show up.

DUMB SUGESTION:
I know this sounds dumb, but have you checked your filter is running? Check for water flow and make sure there is media inside the filter. I mean, it's a dumb suggestion but it's something that really came to my mind.

NOT SO DUMB SUGESTION:
Try using another test kit for your nitrates/nitrites. Use liquid reagent test if possible. Check for the expire date. Sometimes test kits are simply not working.

It sounds to me like you're just cleaning them all out...If you're changing water out and gravel sucking 4-5 times a week, while only feeding once a day, it seems possible to me that you're just keeping the tank really really clean.

patoloco said:

At this point you should have passed the nitrite spike and nitrates should be starting to show up.

DUMB SUGESTION:
I know this sounds dumb, but have you checked your filter is running? Check for water flow and make sure there is media inside the filter. I mean, it's a dumb suggestion but it's something that really came to my mind.

Click to expand...

Not a dumb suggestion at all. That's one of the first things that came to my mind as well, along with your second suggestion.

Ammonia and no nitrites/nitrates for that long does not add up. Either your filter has no place for the bacteria to colonize well or your test kit is bad.

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals makes a great Freshwater Master kit that has everything you need. Please pick one up and retest the water.

Roan

genkipie said:

It sounds to me like you're just cleaning them all out...If you're changing water out and gravel sucking 4-5 times a week, while only feeding once a day, it seems possible to me that you're just keeping the tank really really clean.

Click to expand...

Bacteria don't colonize in the water and gravel cleaning -- although I do believe s/he is over doing it -- will not stall the cycle in the ammonia stage at all.

Bacteria colonize in the filter primarily, because that is where water circulates with air <-- simplified version.

Roan

Have you been using a water conditioner to remove the clorine from your tap water? Clorine in your tank could prevent the bacteria from taking hold.

JS, ammonia remover in a tank is not necessary, and in your case it might be the reason why you can't get your nitrites starting to appear. Just a thoughtm, buy probably the remover takes all the ammonia available for the bacterias to eat.

the cloudiness sounds like it is trying to cycle, but keeps getting thrown off by something. you didnt say you had undergravel, so im assuming you dont. all those water changes and the ammonia remover are taking away the ammonia needed for the tank to cycle. obviously there is still some left in the tank, but apparently not enough for the cycle to finish. i usually let the fish tell me when they need a water change. i pretty much ignore the tests and let the tank go naturally, no water changes or anything. then IF they show signs of stress (clamped fins, sitting at the bottom of the tank for species who arent supposed to, etc.), a water change and/or amquel plus will neutralize whatever is causing the problems. as long as you didnt put too many fish in at the beginning this method works very well and i cant remember the last time i lost a fish using this method. constantly checking the ammonia and doing water changes only complicates things, and makes the cycle last a lot longer than it should have, as you have now experienced.