Cycling And Frustrated

[PSeev]

Here is our story. We set up a 55 gallon freshwater tank 8 weeks ago. We wanted to cycle the tank using fish. We started with 5 danio's. We have all plastic plants. We are using a Marineland Bio-wheel 350. Feeding using Omega one food. We have had no ammomia, nitrites or nitrates using the API test kit. My wife and I are totally frustrated. Last week we added 4 additiional danio's in hopes of creating ammonia. My wife and I are totally frustrated with either the lack of cycling or more concerning, the green algae bloom that has made the tank very cloudy. Any ideas,questions or comments would greatly be appreciated.

 

[Randi]

Have you been testing the water for the whole 8 weeks? It seems odd that you wouldn't have had ANY readings.

 

[PSeev]

The first two weeks I was using strips and they revealed nothing as well. Then I bought the API kit. I am neurotic and have been testing and taking the water to be tested to my local store and they seem mezmorized as well. Did it cycle too fast? I have never done a water change. Just added for evaporation. I changed the filter cartridge about 3 weeks ago.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Well, you are going to want to do water changes, no matter what the readings say. Just adding water for evaporation will add more minerals, without removing anything. I would highly recommend regardless of the readings that you do about 25% water changes every week to two weeks at the very least. Water changes are a generic tonic that is good for so many things. Not to mention that there are things in the water that we never test for that could build up to unhealthy levels with water changes. So, complete water changes, regardless of the water stats, weekly or so.


As far as why nothing is showing up in the tests...

 

[PSeev]

Thank you for the replies and we appreciate any advice and encouragement.

 

[Caprichoso]

There is a chance you got a dud test kit. For a comparison, you may want to bring a water sample to your LFS so they can have a go with testing it. Then at least you know your test kit works. Unless the lfs has a dud test kit too, lol, but what are the chances. You need to do weekly water changes of approx. 50%. You can control the algae bloom with more water changes. It can be frustrating but it's very common to get some kind of an algae bloom in a new set up. Your tank is just trying to sort itself out. You may also get brown algae/diatoms as well. If I were you, I would get some hornwort for the tank. It's great for filtering the water and requires no effort to grow. You can either plant it in the substrate or float it. You may want to add some other plants as well as they help to keep the water clean and will help with your cycle. Also, make sure the lights aren't on too long. 6-8 hours is plenty.

Good luck

 

[PSeev]

My local fish store used the exact test kit that I used, so like you said, unless both were duds....