Nitrogen Cycle problem. No Nitrite levels in my fish tank after 5 weeks.?

M

Mike

New member
I have a 26 gallon Bow Front tank with 4 Zebra Danios & a baby Pleco in it. I have added live bacteria solution (Microbe Lift Special Blend) to the tank once a week. I have a liquid master test kit and it indicates that my ammonia levels are 8.0ppm and after 5 weeks still now signs of any Nitrite levels. I do once a week water changes of 3 gallons. Any suggestion on what I can do to solve this problem?
 
You don't want any nitrite in your tank. It's not a good thing to have. If the fish you have in the tank are still alive in another week i'm sure the tank is cycled.
 
Don't do any more water changes, the ammonia in the water is needed for the next colony of bacteria. This bacteria will change the ammonia into nitrites, and then another bacteria colony will change the nitrites into nitrates. When there are no more nitrites in the water, do a 50%-75% water change. Then you can start weekly, or bi-weekly smaller water changes. This is important: Do not disturb the gravel when you do water changes until the tank has been fully cycled for 6 months. The bacteria is very fragile until it is 6 months old and you can kill it off by messing with the gravel too much.
 
Don't do any more water changes, the ammonia in the water is needed for the next colony of bacteria. This bacteria will change the ammonia into nitrites, and then another bacteria colony will change the nitrites into nitrates. When there are no more nitrites in the water, do a 50%-75% water change. Then you can start weekly, or bi-weekly smaller water changes. This is important: Do not disturb the gravel when you do water changes until the tank has been fully cycled for 6 months. The bacteria is very fragile until it is 6 months old and you can kill it off by messing with the gravel too much.
 
Back
Top