What Am I Doin' Wrong?

[Vivid-Dawn]

I wonder if my tank is cycled. But it shouldn't be. I's confuzzled!

Day 19 today...
17 gallons of water
70F degrees
pH = 7.6
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 20...ish. Color is not quite "20", but darker than "10".
6 ghost shrimp - in there for 13 days
Dwarf Gourami - in there for 6 days
bio-wheel from established 50 gallon tank (which has all the same chemical stats, but more fish of course)

It's been sparkling clear from day one, no clouding at all... so I haven't done a water change, fearing I might ruin whatever's been started... IF it's started...

None of the stores around here carry regular ammonia - everything has either suftucants, lemon flavoring, both or both and other junk. So, on the 10th, I bought a Dwarf Gourami from Wal-Mart (not the best idea, but it was kind of a spontaneous splurge). I’ve had 6 ghost shrimp in there the whole time. Wy isn't it clouding yet?! I should be just about halfway through the cycle by now!

I'm wondering if the bio-wheel from my other tank has enough bacteria to support the new tank. But that’s kinda illogical, since it’s just one wheel in a whole new tank with new gravel, decorations, etc., that bacteria colonies should be forming on. Sigh!

I don’t want to put my Neon Tetras in now, in case it isn’t actually cycled. That, and I’m wanting to lower the pH with peat moss, too... but after the cycle, if it ever finishes...gets started...whatever!

Edit/P.S. I did put AmQuell Plus and NovAqua plus in when I filled the tank, for the sake of the ghost shrimp... and I'm sure my new Gourami doesn't mind either. BUT! I figured their waste and breathing would add natural ammonia to start the cycling (even though I was gonna do fishless, at first, but since I can't find store-bought ammonia...).

 

[WILDER]

According to them test results it has cycled.

When i have striped a tank down, i would take some sponges out of my goldfish tank and that would instantly cycle it, wouldn't worry probably had enough bacteria in the sponges.

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. I agree with Wilder. It looks as though your tank has cycled. Adding in a mature filter from a cycled tank really helps speed up the process. Don't be surprised that the water isn't clouding. It may not do so. If i were you, i would consider the tank basically cycled, and so you can now add a fish or two over maybe a week to be safe. Keep an eye on the water stats for ammonia and nitrite. If they start to show up, do a water change, and hold off on getting any new fish.
Also, i would consider raising the temperature of your tank. I think 70 degrees is a little cool for a gourami. Research your particular fish, or any new fish you are looking to get on a site like fishbase.org it will tell you appropriate temperatures etc. If you do decide to raise the temperature, do it very slowly. Maybe 1 or 2 degrees per day maximum.
It looks as though you are doing fine. Good luck with your tank and i hope you are having fun.