Problem with tank cycling - why isn't anything happening?

Question

I started a "fishless" cycle about three weeks ago by just feeding the tank. I've been testing it daily and everything's the same as when I started. Nitrates and nitrites are low, PH is pretty high, ammonia is low. There has been no spike in any of my readings. I just noticed the water is starting to get a little cloudy (although my readings are still the same). Can anyone help? I'm getting a little frustrated.

FYI - its a small tank - 5 gal, freshwater

Yes - i've been feeding it daily, but only a small amount. Nitrates & nitrites are both at 0, ammonia 0, PH - 8

I'm not sure it's safe to add fish- won't they die if the cycle isn't complete? What does the clouding mean?

Answer 1

Have you been feeding the tank every day? You have to keep adding a source of ammonia to the tank. If you just feed it once at the beginning, the bacteria will die.
I suggest you buy some real, pure ammonia, and add some to the tank. See how your readings are then. It is also possible that you simply missed the initial ammonia spike. If you're giving it a source of ammonia but the ammonia is still 0, well, your cycle is complete.

Also ensure that your testing kit is accurate.

You say your nitrates and nitrites are low. What are the exact numbers? When the cycle is complete, ammonia and nitrite will be 0, and nitrates will be 10-30ppm.

Answer 2

Okay, small tanks are really hard to maintain, as when something goes wrong, it spreads quickly in the tank. I would personally suggest no less than a 29 or 30 gallon tank for a first timer due to this fact.

Cycling a tank can be done fairly easy, in about a week. You can buy the special cycling stuff for it, and they do work quickly, if done properly and the right amount is added.

But if a week is okay for you, then for your size tank, go to the pet store and buy 3 or 4 "feeder" goldfish (yes, the ones they sell for feeding the bigger fish--they're usually really cheap). Goldfish are VERY hardy fish and they leave A LOT of waste behind. This is good for cycling a tank. The more waste that goes into it, the more your tank will gain amonia and over about a weeks time, the nitrates will increase to match and accomodate the amonia levels in your water. Because goldfish are hardy, they can handle the amonia increase, unlike some of the more delicate tropical fish, such as tetras.

I always test my water when this is done and then take the feeders and give them back to the store on the day I am brining the tropical fish home.

For a 5 gallon tank, you will need to monitor it VERY closely to make sure that amonia level doesn't go up. Like I said, it happens tank wide fast in a small tank. When you add fish, start with only 4 and then add only one or two at a time down the line. Be sure you know how much a tank of your size can accomodate too, so as not to over crowd them.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Good going for doing a fishless cycle.It takes a while for food in the tank to turn into ammonia.Don't add any more food.The cloudy water is probably a bacteria bloom,just not the kind of bacteria that you are trying to cultivate.Does your tank have good air- to- water interchange? An air stone or a filter that disturbs the water surface? The water clouding bacteria will go away on their own,but sometimes this takes weeks.The nitrobacter that you are trying to cultivate don't start to do their real work until they are attached to something solid in the tank,like the gravel or the filter media. Be patient, this can a long time but it is really better than torturing fish with ammonia.I have cycled tanks by adding ammonia directly to the water,but it's hard to find plain ammonia with no other additives,but it does save a little time. One way to cut down on testing is to only monitor for nitrites,there shouldn't be any until the first bunch of bacteria get going,then when the second bunch are established the nitrites will go to zero,and your tank will be ready for the first few fish. Hope you don't find this discouraging,it's really not as bad as it sounds. Good luck. PeeTee

Answer 4

I would say if you aren't seeing a climb in ammonia that you should increase the amount of food you are putting into the tank.

If nitrites and nitrates are low then the tank has some cycling action going one.

Answer 5

The cloudy water is a sign of bacteria. That is a good thing, just leave it alone and it will clear up soon.

Make sure you feed the tank every day so the bacteria has something to eat, and be patient, you are still very early in the cycling stage.

Answer 6

Cloudy water means a bacteria bloom, so the cycle has begun.

Answer 7

how long has it been set up, it usualy takes about 8 weeks. There is this stuff called bio sphiera , i used it and it claims to cycle a tank overnight, i found this to be untrue but it will cycle it in half the time

Answer 8

You need to add fish to cycle your tank. Since it is such a small tank you will only need one or two.

Answer 9

i would say try putting a low price fish in it 2-3 fish i mmean and see what happens