Cycling help??

[mandyaj_25]

I have had my tank up and running now for 7 weeks (fishy cycle). I finally got my test kits (API liquid kit) and the results are really weird.

Ammonia - .25ppm

nitrite - 0ppm

Nitrate - 0ppm

Shouldnt the nitrates be present yet?? I do water changes every second day @ about 50%. Sometimes more often when the ammonia start to get high. I use water conditioner and have tested my tap water, which is clear of ammonia. I vacuum my tank with every water change.

Does anybody have any idea what is going on here??
Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[fizhfly]

yea sounds like doing a lot more water changes than you should because your not letting it cycle hard enough as for nitrates with the amount of the water changes there wont be a reading .

 

[Rbishop]

The frequent water changes are doing their job.

Keep that ammonia low.

Sooner or later, you will test and not see ammonia, but some nitrates.

Recommend you test every 24 hrs, before and after a water change. If the before test doesn't show ammonia or nitrites at .25 or greater..don't do a water change.

 

[amosf]

7 weeks seems like a while tho... usually would be cycled by now.

 

[Rbishop]

Not with 50% water changes every other day...

Tank size? Fish stocking...

 

[jpappy789]

I agree, fish cycling takes a while depending on the stock and how often you need to change the water. I'd just keep going as usual or see if you can somehow get some established media.

 

[mandyaj_25]

Not with 50% water changes every other day...

Tank size? Fish stocking...

I have 2 Danios, a cory and a mollie. The tank is a 20 gallon. Is it true that the bigger the tank the faster the cycle??

 

[mandyaj_25]

7 weeks seems like a while tho... usually would be cycled by now.

Yes that is what I thought. There should have at least been some nitrites and nitrates by now. Hmm.....wonder if I am keeping it too clean?

 

[rocker92]

i agree slow down on the water changes.....are those zebra danios if so get more in the future.....but for now slow down on the water changes then the nitrites can start forming

 

[jpappy789]

I think fish safety trumps the longevity of the cycle. You need to keep the ammonia at .25 ppm otherwise you risk losing fish. Do as many water changes as it takes.