Not Cycling After 3 Week

[london_kev]

I have a 20L tank and have been cycling it for 3 weeks now. I went to my aquatic centre who did a water test and it still is not ready. still a red colour and not yellow...?

I havent added anything to my water apart from the aquasafe and i have done 1 water change of about 30%.

The lady at the aquatic centre try to sell me some "bacteria" is this really needed? i have only put in a heater yesterday not sure if this helps...?

any help...?

 

[david0121]

London_kev,

I have also been having problems with my tank cycle,I'm new to keeping tropical fish, My LFS advised me to purchase Nutrafin Cycle.
leave the tank running for two weeks and have a water test to see if the tanks is ready. I had the water tested and all was o.k

I have since found out that my tank has not cycled, then i joined this forum, and after lots and lots of reading.
I was advised to have a read of the following topic,

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/

Sorry i can't be much more help than that, I'm sure someone more expreienced will be along soon.

Good Luck!

 

[fluttermoth]

I have a 20L tank and have been cycling it for 3 weeks now. I went to my aquatic centre who did a water test and it still is not ready. still a red colour and not yellow...?

I havent added anything to my water apart from the aquasafe and i have done 1 water change of about 30%.

The lady at the aquatic centre try to sell me some "bacteria" is this really needed? i have only put in a heater yesterday not sure if this helps...?

any help...?

You can't cycle a tank by just letting it run; you need to be adding a source of ammonia. Bottled bacteria is generally agreed not to work as the bacteria can't survive without food and oxygen.
The heater will help speed the cycle up as the bacteria reproduce faster at higher temperatures.

P.S; What are you intending to keep in this tank; 20l is very small...

 

[london_kev]

I have a 20L tank and have been cycling it for 3 weeks now. I went to my aquatic centre who did a water test and it still is not ready. still a red colour and not yellow...?

I havent added anything to my water apart from the aquasafe and i have done 1 water change of about 30%.

The lady at the aquatic centre try to sell me some "bacteria" is this really needed? i have only put in a heater yesterday not sure if this helps...?

any help...?

You can't cycle a tank by just letting it run; you need to be adding a source of ammonia. Bottled bacteria is generally agreed not to work as the bacteria can't survive without food and oxygen.
The heater will help speed the cycle up as the bacteria reproduce faster at higher temperatures.

P.S; What are you intending to keep in this tank; 20l is very small...

Are you saying i should introduce a hardy fish...? because i did have a betta in there but took it out as there was too much amonia. i just wanted to keep some guppies, endlers and shrimp...

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Are you saying i should introduce a hardy fish...? because i did have a betta in there but took it out as there was too much amonia. i just wanted to keep some guppies, endlers and shrimp...

That is not what he is saying, although that is an alternative. Have you read the articles on fish-in or fishless cycling? Definitely worth a read.

There is also a small group (technically two folks right now) who are testing the bottled bacteria. KISSfn is testing "Turbo Start" a refrigerated product, and I will be testing "SafeStart" the next generation of the original "BioSpira", which used to be, but no longer is a refrigerated product. If you are interested in using one of these, to add to the database, please feel free to do so, but follow the procedures of a fishless cycle, and post your results daily, so that we can all judge for ourselves the results.


Bacterial Additives If you want to experiment with us!

Beginners Resource Center If you are looking for great beginners advice. Lots of links in the post on all the different stuff, including fish-in and fishless cycles!

 

[fluttermoth]

That is not what he is saying,

She

No, I wasn't suggesting that you add any kind of fish, but you do need some kind of ammonia source for the bacteria to feed on, or they won't grow.

If you really can't get hold of household ammonia, you could use pinches of fish food to rot down instead (that's how I used to do it in 'the old days'!)

If you have other tanks running (or access to one), you could add some mature media to the 20l to give it a kickstart.

You do realise, that at 4 gallons, you're going to be able to keep only four 1 inch fish, at most, in this tank? You'll probably be able to get away with the shrimp as well as they have such a small bioload.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

That is not what he is saying,

She

Sorry. It's hard to tell sometimes.

 

[fluttermoth]

That is not what he is saying,

She

Sorry. It's hard to tell sometimes.

lol; I know; no worries

 

[joeskandal]

woops.

 

[Lisa67]

First google fishless cycling and start the process...yes, you use household amonia in measured amounts. I am also fairly new to this, but I can definately tell you not to add any type of store bought bacteria that is supposed to speed the cycle. I did it and I ended up regretting it. It slowed my cycle by about a week and caused me to have to do large water changes.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

First google fishless cycling and start the process...yes, you use household amonia in measured amounts. I am also fairly new to this, but I can definately tell you not to add any type of store bought bacteria that is supposed to speed the cycle. I did it and I ended up regretting it. It slowed my cycle by about a week and caused me to have to do large water changes.

Which product did you use?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Not seen it mentioned so sorry if you have but before you even think about buying a tank let alone a fish is a test kit to test water in the tank. it is usefull at all stages of fishkeeping not only the cycle

 

[OldMan47]

No need to Google a fishless cycle. One of the best descriptions I have ever seen is right here on TFF.

 

[Gelt]

No need to Google a fishless cycle. One of the best descriptions I have ever seen is right here on TFF.

+1
and proof it works 2 days to go for me...best thing i did was :

Join this forum & read the beginners section on Fishless Cycle and put it into practice!

G