Cycle

[adamjs]

I set up my tank about 6 days ago and have had fish in it for 5 (3 zebra danios). I know I should have done a fishless cycle but this was what the LFS told me to do before i started reading this forum. I just did a test for amonia, nitrite, and nitrate and I got near zero results for all 3 tests. Is this possible to be correct in a tank of this age or is it more likely I made a mistake. I did all tests twice to double check.

 

[Durbkat]

Most likley the cycling process hasn't begun and you might lose those fish once the ammoina and nitrite start sky rocketing.

 

[Vegan Peaches]

Usually the ammonia goes up pretty soon after adding fish. You say you've had them in for five days? There should be some ammonia by now 0.o You might want to try a different test kit or take water in to your LFS and get it tested there for free (if they offer that service). It just seems odd that after 5 days you have no readings.

 

[@ombomb]

Sounds like a dodgy test to me.

 

[rdd1952]

Are you using liquid or strip tests? Strips can be fairly inaccurate. As stated, you should definitely see amonia by now. Since the tank isn't cycled, I'm not surprised by the lack of nitrite or nitrate though since there aren't any bacteria present to transform the ammonia. Take a water sample to your LFS and have them test it for ammonia.

 

[adamjs]

Are you using liquid or strip tests? Strips can be fairly inaccurate. As stated, you should definitely see amonia by now. Since the tank isn't cycled, I'm not surprised by the lack of nitrite or nitrate though since there aren't any bacteria present to transform the ammonia. Take a water sample to your LFS and have them test it for ammonia.

Its a liquid kit.