So I think im giving up on the fishless cycle...

**dlaube** · 01-09-2010, 02:59 PM

I am just starting to get so frustrated. I have about $40 worth of tetra test kits: PH, ammonia, trites, and trates. And all that using them does is aggravate me.

The ammonia test kit is supposed to take 20 minutes to show results which is annoying. The kit does not specify how to view the results if you hold it one way you get one result hold it another way you get a different result. (in terms of brightness of the room, and if there is some surface behind it)

I tested my tap water and it is showing an ammonia level of 2ppm. I don't know how that happened. We have well water, and we only run a chlorinator (but I use a dechlorinate). I am following the instructions on the test as carefully as I possibly can.

And to top it off I am colorblind...I can usually view the results okay, but sometimes I just cannot understand them, and have to get help, and its always such reluctant help.

I know zebra danios have survived...and are stilling living in a 10 gallon tank that my mom has (because she is too stubborn to try cycling a tank because she had never done it before and never had a problem....she even is convinced that keeping a pleco in a 10 gallon tank is acceptable just because the one we had survived in our tank for several years...before I really knew any better)

So I know zebra danios can survive my water and I can get them at my LFS for about 90 cents. Right now my water is at 82degrees. How many should I add to a 55 gallon tank (probably about 50 gallons now) to jump start that cycle, and should I turn down some of the current, there is a lot of current right now with a power head, 2 filters, and 3 air stones.

...either tell me how many danios or give me more advice/suggestions

**Northernguy** · 01-09-2010, 03:05 PM

The only way to jumpstart your cycle effectively is to add some dirty filter media from a healthy cycled filter to yours.You just put as much of it in your filter as you can.
Your Mothers filter is small but some of that media will help yours get started.
You still have to test for ammonia and nitrites but it should start your tank faster.
Water changes will have to be more often because you have to keep the toxins from the ammonia and nitrites low.
Tetra Safe Start add to your water may also help.
I wish I could give a suggestion for reading the results easier.

**souly** · 01-09-2010, 03:16 PM

I'd take the water to the fish store. That way you can get results with out the issues :)

**annageckos** · 01-09-2010, 05:21 PM

I use to use the tetra test but have switched to API, I think it is easier to use and read. The first time was a little imtimadating, but now it is no problem. If you get the water tested at a LFS make sure to ask for and write down the readings. Also keep in mind not all the emplyees will know how to test right and they may use the test strips. Also a lot of stores will just tell you want you want to hear.

**HeatherB** · 01-09-2010, 05:41 PM

Do you have a neighbor, friend, roomie, parent etc. anyone who is not colorblind who could read them for you?

Try picking a way to look at it. Do it the same time everytime. Like, if you test and hold it out straight in front of you towards a light to read it, do it the same way everytime. At least then you have a constant to look at.

Im with you though. I hate test strips, liquid kits. all of them. Pain in the tooshie! Wish they would make digital. Something like a blood glucose meter, you just dip it in the water, and it reads everything all out. Then sell it with a computer program so you can track stuff for your tank on your computer. I would buy it.!

**dlaube** · 01-09-2010, 06:03 PM

I just got back from my LFS, new bottle of start right dechlorinate, API master test kit. and nite-out II....Im not really sure how to use the nite-out but I figure with the assistance of the aquarium community, we could make it work.

First things first, recheck my tap with the API ammonia test, and recheck my tank. If ammonia is still present in my tap, then ill have to get some sort of ammonia remover, and use it per water change....until then I need to wait and get this cycle movin.

**Mark Hewitt** · 02-08-2010, 12:49 PM

Not sure how you'd remove ammonia from the tap water?! Aside from faffy things such as having to quarantine your water in a filtered tank!

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-08-2010, 01:51 PM

Since you are doing a fishless cycle, why are you concerned with the nitrites? Are you adding pure ammonia so you have a source of ammonia to cycle the tank? You can't cycle a tank without some source of ammonia.....either from a bottle, fish, or a bunch of fish food.

You have to have ammonia to grow the ammonia eating bacteria and you have to have nitrites to grow that bacteria. Chemicals to simply remove it from the tank is not cycling and will only return.