cycling for 2 weeks and still no nitrites

[raseii]

Hi,
I have my 55g. tank set up and it has been cycling for 2 weeks now and I still have not seen any nitrites show up. Is it still too soon for that? I am fishy cycling which I will never do again, just too much stress from worrying about the fish and water changes, ect. I wish I could move them out to finish the cycle without fish, but I do not have another established tank. My husband just had to put fish in it Anyways, I have been checking every day to every other day and keeping the ammonia under .25 but have not seen any nitrites show up and it has been 2 weeks. I would have thought they would show up by now or is it too soon?
Thanks

 

[nagus]

What fish & how many fish are you cycling with?

 

[raseii]

I'm really starting to think its my test kit. I am using the 5 in 1 test strips. I am going to go today and buy some more tests. Which tests are better, the strips or the test where you need to ad drops to a vial? I have the Ammonia one where you need to ad the drops and that works alright. What tests would you recommend?
Thanks

 

[nc_nutcase]

I always use the 5 in 1 strips. They may not be 100% accurate, but they do great for displaying consistancy week to week. Also if they are reading 0 then that is pretty trustworthy.

 

[The-Raven]

I've been cycling my tank for about two weeks, and my ammonia has been around the 1.0-2.0 every day, never realyl dropping even after a 33% water change. I've always had a little bit of nitrites and a little bit of nitrates (not from tap, these developed, then seemed to just plain stop).

I've asked and asked, and it just seems that I need to wait longer - I'm assuming it's the same for you.

 

[sinistral]

It can't hurt to double check your test results against your LFS's tests, but I'd advise you to continue being patient. It can take a while for the right bacterial colonies to grow in. In the meantime, sounds like you're doing everything else well in terms of trying to protect your fish's health.

I use the Aquarium Pharmaceudicals Freshwater Master Test Kit. It uses the mixing chemicals with the tank water (not the strips). I've never had problems with it.

 

[raseii]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I guess I just need to learn to be patient. Also, I have been using Cycle. Do you this may be slowing down my progress? I was reading that package again today and it said it was to keep the ammonia and nitrites from getting so high so you dont lose fish. I am just wondering if this is slowing things down. And if so, is that a bad thing? Since I am fishy cycling, maybe its best to allow things to go slow and keep the fish healthy then fast and kill the fish, right?
Thanks again