Still no nitrite/nitrate readings

G

guppygal

AC Members
Jun 30, 2006
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OK What the heck is going on?

I set up the 10g in June and was completely cycled then in Aug I introduced 1 sick gourami and then another sick gourami and treated the tank with various Meds (Jungle clear, Maracyn 2 and Melafix) which lead me to break down the tank and sterilize the decor and take out all the gravel and rinse in treated water. I left the filter alone (just rinsed in treated water). I added back the 2 healthy guppies almost 2 weeks ago.

I have been doing daily testing and I still have yet to get any readings besides 0!

The tests are all API bought in the last 4-8 weeks because I thought I needed new test because I wasn't getting any readings!! I do follow the directions.

Why am I still not getting any readings? I have been changing the water (25%, with prime) every Sunday. The tank seems very clean.

The fish seem happy. Am I still cycling?? Is it ever possible to be cycled and have no nitrates (no I have no live plants to use the nitrates).

Where is all my good bacteria? I want to add more fish to my qt tank which is at the same point as the 10g!

Thanks guys. Let me know if you need other info - I tried to keep it short!
 
guppygal said:
OK What the heck is going on?

I set up the 10g in June and was completely cycled then in Aug I introduced 1 sick gourami and then another sick gourami and treated the tank with various Meds (Jungle clear, Maracyn 2 and Melafix) which lead me to break down the tank and sterilize the decor and take out all the gravel and rinse in treated water. I left the filter alone (just rinsed in treated water). I added back the 2 healthy guppies almost 2 weeks ago.

I have been doing daily testing and I still have yet to get any readings besides 0!

The tests are all API bought in the last 4-8 weeks because I thought I needed new test because I wasn't getting any readings!! I do follow the directions.

Why am I still not getting any readings? I have been changing the water (25%, with prime) every Sunday. The tank seems very clean.

The fish seem happy. Am I still cycling?? Is it ever possible to be cycled and have no nitrates (no I have no live plants to use the nitrates).

Where is all my good bacteria? I want to add more fish to my qt tank which is at the same point as the 10g!

Thanks guys. Let me know if you need other info - I tried to keep it short!
Click to expand...

is this the 10 gal with the guppy's?

sounds like in aug you broke the tank down..and basically are starting from scratch.

how long has this tank been running?
 
star_rider said:
is this the 10 gal with the guppy's?

sounds like in aug you broke the tank down..and basically are starting from scratch.

how long has this tank been running?
Click to expand...

Actually, I broke the tank down Sept 12th, so my mistake, it has actually only been running again for 10 days. But I would of thought with seeded materials you would see Nitrates in about a week. I guess not. I really didn't think I it would take this long to re-establish the tank.
 
Last edited:
okay.
.so if you had seeded material...

is this the filter that was in the tank?

you cleaned the tank..then rinsed the filter in treated water. during this process..how long was the filter without food source. as long as it was kept wet the bacteria will survive several hours ( I have heard almost 24)

I wonder if there could have been an issue with the bacteria sustaining.
 
star_rider said:
okay.
.so if you had seeded material...

is this the filter that was in the tank?

you cleaned the tank..then rinsed the filter in treated water. during this process..how long was the filter without food source. as long as it was kept wet the bacteria will survive several hours ( I have heard almost 24)

I wonder if there could have been an issue with the bacteria sustaining.
Click to expand...

Thanks for trying to help star_rider!

yeah, this is the filter I have been using since June. My filter has never been out of the water longer than like 30 secs. My 5 gal qt is a newer filter but has been running for 6 weeks with squeeze ins from the older filter - no nitrate/nitrites!!

Could Maracyn 2 or the Jungle Parasite Clear - killed the bacteria even though they say they don't???

I don't even get ammonia readings! My ph is 7.0/7.2 on both tanks.
 
I guess, bottom line ...
Even with a 3 month old filter, I must of started completely over because I have no nitrates present?
 
the part that gets me is 0 ammonia,0 nitrites?? correct?

how often do you change water?

could be that the bio load is low and the ammonia haven't shown up ..you need that first to get nitrites followed by nitrates.

I've used jungle parasite clear with no issues..I've not used maracyn 2

since it has only been set up since the 12th it may not yet show ..

10 gal with 2 guppies..wait a few days and keep monitoring it
 
star_rider said:
the part that gets me is 0 ammonia,0 nitrites?? correct?

how often do you change water?

could be that the bio load is low and the ammonia haven't shown up ..you need that first to get nitrites followed by nitrates.

I've used jungle parasite clear with no issues..I've not used maracyn 2

since it has only been set up since the 12th it may not yet show ..

10 gal with 2 guppies..wait a few days and keep monitoring it
Click to expand...

Yup, 0 ammonia,0 nitrites.

I change the water every 7 days (I have been know do also change every 5).
And yes, only 2 guppies .... I keep waiting until I think the water is good so I can add more fish.
 
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