Safestart Didn't Work-Where Do I Go From Here?

[markdfishnewb]

Dear Tropical Fish Forums
I come to you ashamed, another pathetic newbie.
I am enthusiastic about modern tech and it's benefits.
When choosing how to establish our first family aquarium I decided to go with the recommendation of my 
LFS/the multitude of positive reviews on Amazon and try Tetra SafeStart.
I feel so stupid. I'd researched this aquarium for almost 9 months before taking the plunge & had read  
posts from some that said it was snake oil, but nevertheless chose to opt for this technological 'short cut.' What a fool. 
I'm almost four weeks down the line and not even a glimmer of a cycle…..
 
I won't waste your time with description of how I went about using Safestart but confirmed by Tetra techs 
I did everything by the book. However after three bottles - 300ml costing £33 NOTHING happened.
 
The one positive here is that my fish are all alive, seemingly happy, with no sign of distress that I am aware of.
 
I have 13 Rasbora Espei. Why so many fish for a tank that had not yet cycled?
I really want to keep these fish - I think they are beautiful.
My LFS said they were hardy little fish with very little waste, but needed numbers to be happy -
six would be ideal for use with SafeStart as an alternative one or two larger fish.
However when the six wouldn't come out from behind the plants after  three days at home, my LFS said the
numbers weren't high enough - they were feeling threatened - I bought another 6 (but got 7 because the LFS can't count.)
 
So here's my set up-
 
West of Scotland, just north of Glasgow - PH7.2, soft water
90 litre tank
Eheim Ecco 130 pro cannister filter (carbon starter filter done it's 2 weeks and now removed.)
Eheim 200 twin air pump (on for 6 hours per day)
Sand substrate
Silk artificial plants
Fluval E100W Electronic heater running at 25 deg c
Tetra Aquasafe for dechlorinator
 
It's now four weeks since I added the fish.
I am performing 30% water changes every three days by which time my ammonia has crept up to almost 0.5ppm
So far I have experienced absolutely zero nitrites throughout and I believe zero nitrates, though if I leave water changes for a longer period the yellow of the nitrates test (API Freshwater Master kit) goes a darker yellow, but never as far as the orange of the 2nd box.
 
I am hoping that some of you experienced aquarists could help suggest what I might do next?
 
I have no friends in the hobby so cannot get a helping hand with some mature filter media.
 
Do I ?-
 
1) Continue as I am and wait (hope) for the tank to cycle?
 
2) I have an acceptable spare filter and heater that came free with my tank, as well as a sturdy 90 litre clear plastic tub.
Do I set these up as a 2nd tank,transferring the fish,continue my water changes on this 2nd tank(tub) to keep water quality good for the fish and start a fish-less bottled ammonia cycle on my main tank?
 
3) Continue with my main tank as I am, but set up the 2nd tank and run it as a fish-less cycle,then use the live filter media
to jump start my cannister filter once the 'tub' cycles?
 
I really appreciate your time and hope others may learn from my mistake.
 
FISH-LESS CYCLE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO.
 
 ….the last four weeks have been some of the most stressful of my life, continually worrying night and day about the health of my 13 wee guys…. I just want them to be happy.
 
Many thanks,
 
Mark

 

[Glitzy]

Stop listening to the LFS for a start, adding those fish to an un cycled tank is a bit ouch

The fact you are getting some nitrates though sounds encouraging as to get those there has been some processing from ammonia to nitrite to nitrate.

I'd keep going with the water changes to eliminate ammonia until it stands consistently at 0ppm and you aren't seeing any nitrites either. Some nitrate is entirely normal, you shouldn't be expecting these to stay at zero. I'd be concerned if they rose above 60ppm but I like mine on the low side anyway...

There is a 'fish in cycle' thread here that is really good too.,

Oh, and the API nitrates test needs a really good shake to get a proper reading, particularly bottle #2, I tend to bang this one off the table a few times before using! The ammonia test needs a good shake too.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Well, sorry about your experience with Safestart...
 
Keep going with the water changes...  It will end eventually.  BTW, great fish choice!
 
 
Fish-in cycle thread linked in my sig.   

 

[Glitzy]

Thanks Eaglesaquarium, was just looking for that

 

[Geoff-]

Try one bottle of Seachem Stability.  Seachem are a very good company and I trust their products.
 
I did a fish-in cycle too and a few days after I started dosing Stability the tank cycled.  While it may have been coincidence there's also a very good chance that it helped.
 
Keep up with the water changes until you're getting consistent 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite readings.  At a pH of 7.2 the ammonia in the tank will be somewhat toxic to the fish so you need to be careful.  If your pH was lower (eg 6.5) then you need to worry a bit less but don't try and fiddle with pH.  it causes more trouble than it's worth.
 
On the plus side, when it finally does cycle you will have earned your place in the hobby that's for sure!!
 

 

[markdfishnewb]

Thanks so much gents for the quick responses.
I'll persevere,keep up those water changes, and let you know how I get on.
 
Mark

 

[Lolly123]

Your not a pathetic newbie.

For a start, you are here and doing your best to rectify the awful advice you were given from the outset. It's an unfortunate part of the hobby, and most of us have been where you are.

Some people don't care enough to even bother researching. So you are on the right track.