Quick Cycling Question

[RichM111]

Before coming to this forum, I ventured on my own and bought a new tank. I've had them before many years ago. I setup about a week ago and went the fish cycling avenue using API Quick Start. It's been a week, I have 11 Tetras and they are doing well. My question is, I'm using an API test kit and I'm getting a 0 reading on ammonia, nitrite and nitrates every time I test, is this normal? Just curious as to why nothing is showing up. The fish are all small BTW. Thank you.

 

[CezzaXV]

Are you shaking the bottles well and leaving it five minutes before reading the test results? I'd have expected you to see something by now, either ammonia or nitrates.

 

[MrsM]

if the tank is cycled fully your results will be ammonia 0 nitrIte 0 and nitrAtes a rising number with each test...

 

[Yanks15]

Agreed. Something isn't right. I have used Quick Start before and it doesn't really do everything it says. Sounds more like a test kit error or the solutions could be bad. Check the dates on the bottles to see if maybe you got an old set. Otherwise you should see at least ammonia.


Thanks,
Steve

 

[RichM111]

Thanks all, I'm following the instructions to the letter and the bottles are fresh. I'll keep testing and see what happens.

 

[dannybgoode]

Have you added ammonia to the tank? If not you're not giving the beneficial bacteria anything to feed off.

To fishless cycle you need to add neat ammonia to the tank in sufficient quantities so that the water tests about 4ppm. It is then a waiting game for the ammonia eating bacteria to get up to numbers and start producing nitrIte.

You then have to wait some more for the nitrIte eating bacteria to come along and start turning the nitrIte into nitrAte.

Once the filter can process 4ppm of ammonia so that the water test results read 0 ammonia and 0 nitrIte you are cycled.

Plenty of stickies kicking around that explain the process in full...

Better saving your money than buying things like Quick Start and find a friendly LFS or someone else willing to donate some mature filter material. This really will speed the cycling up.

Cheers

Danny B

 

[Essjay]

He's doing a fish in cycle not fishless

I have 11 Tetras and they are doing well.

which is why he's worried he's not seen any ammonia or nitrite after a week.

But the suggestion about getting some mature media is a good one.

 

[dannybgoode]

completely misread the post!!

cheers

danny b