New Tank, Attempted Fish-Less Cycle... Help?

[rachrooney]

Hi.

I have just recently purchased a 200L tank and attempted to initiate a fish-less cycle using fish food and existing filter media from a healthy, established tank rather than pure ammonia.

I have just purchased an API test kit today and took readings, which show:

Ammonia : 0ppm
Nitrite : 0ppm
Nitrate : 0ppm
pH : 7.6

Which suggests to me that the cycling process hasn't yet begun. (Lack of nitrates present.

The tank has been set up for a week now, at temperature and has been treated for chlorine too.

Any advice as to whether or not I should stick with fish-less cycle and how to accelerate it? Or should I just go out now and get fish?

When I set the tank up I did use a 'bottled bacteria' which claims to make the water safe for instant stocking.

Help?

 

[the_lock_man]

That's the problem with using fish food, it's impossible to accurately dose. I strongly recommend you get some pure ammonia quickly, before all the bacteria on your media die of starvation.

 

[CezzaXV]

I'd also recommend getting some bottled ammonia. Fish food is okay in a pinch or if you're going away for a few days, but it's not ideal to complete a cycle with.