My nitrate and nitrite levels are at zero

[BChen7106]

Hey all,

So I've been cycling for 2 weeks now with a platy and guppy. I just went out and bought a test kit and it turns out that both my nitrate and nitrite levels are at zero ppm. Unfortunately the kit doesn't test for ammonia (didn't realize that when I bought the kit). I've been doing 10-15% water changes every day or every other day. I would have expected at least some nitrate and/or nitrite to have formed.

Has my cycle even begun? My fish seem to be doing quite well. Or are my levels at zero because of my frequent water changes?

Help, I'm confused by my test results.

[Tjones]

depending on the size of the tank with only 2 fish they aren't going to put out much ammonia to feed your benefical bacteria and your water changes are removing parts of the little ammonia they are producing. So no bacteria is growing thus you won't get any nitrite or nitrates as a result.

if the option is available to get the fish in another tank i would recomend doing a fishless cycle they are generally much faster

[msjinkzd]

It is probable that you are showing ammonia, you just don't have the test kit to measure it. I would highly recommend you pick one up as its super toxic to your fish. Until you get an ammonia test kit, keep up on your water changes. The most important thing is to keep your fish healthy during this cycle, the nitrite will spike before too long and then your nitrates will start to show. You could pick up some biospira to add to the tank or some used gravel/filter media from an established tank if you want to speed up the cycle.