Why the heck isn't our tank cycling?

Question

It's been over 4 months now and our 28 gallon hasn't cycled yet. We've used the product Bio-Spira twice on it and have had fish in it (unfortunatly) since Jan 1st.
I've tested the water almost every single day, and when it seems like things are looking good.. all of a sudden.. BAM.. ammonia starts to rise again for no reason.
I have do about 30% water changes every other day to ensure the fish are as less stressed as possible, but I know this wouldn't cause the tank to take this long.

The first month, everything was going great, ammonia went up, nitrite showed up, ammonia went down, nitrite went down, and nitrate rose. Then one day.. ammonia was gone.. YAY.. but 2-3 days later... ammonia started to show on the tests again.
And just recently after we used Bio-Spira again to try to get things started... ammonia readings, nitrite readings, some nitrate.... then one day.. POOF.. no more nitrite, but still have ammonia.
What is going on??

Trust me.. I don't overfeed and it's not overcrowded. I feed them twice a day.
The tank started off with 4 danios. 1 of them died (due to an illness that broke out)...right now the tank has 2 green corys 2 sterbai cory, 1 female betta and 3 blue danios (other danios are in Q tank)....
I'm doing everything right.. well.. sorta... maybe not since the tank has't freakin cycled yet :\
We've used Prime, Stress Coat (haven't tryed zyme yet) and a few other ammonia neutralizing dechlorinators.
I just put in one of those gravel bag things that is supposed to help clear the ammonia.

I just don't understand what is going on.
It's like the tank starts to go right and then for some reason, things turn to crap even though I've done nothing that would cause a problem.

I've only cleaned out the filter bag 3 times since we've had the tank.. and only in some tank water from a water change.
I did used to gravel vac every day but I've since learned better.
I only gravel vac every other time and only very lightly to pick up the food right near the surface.

Oh yeah, forgot to add that we recently added another filter to the tank... so along with the HOB.. we put in a bio-wheel. We're hoping this will help be another place for bacteria to grow.. and it won't hurt to overfilter.

Answer 1

When you clean the tank are you vacuuming your gravel? This and the filter pads are where most of the bacteria are going to set up residence. If you're cleaning the gravel each time you're doing a water change, you may be removing too much of the bacteria and they aren't getting an adequate chance to populate your tank.

I would recommend removing water without disturbing the gravel on most of your water changes. Once or twice a week, use the gravel vac to clean right at the front glass, and anything on the surface of the substrate. Other than those two areas, only clean about 1/4 - 1/3 of the gravel well, and rotate the area cleaned each time. This gives the bacteria a chance to reproduce and repopulate the area just cleaned. And don't clean your filter pad and the gravel on the same day - you'll lose bacteria this way as well. Instead get some tank water in a container and rinse your filter pad in that to clean it (not under tap water where the chlorine will kill the bacteria).

Also be cautious of any chemicals you might add to the tank - "ammonia removers" starve the bacteria you want in your tank by removing their food source, some medications will affect the bacteria as well.

Answer 2

Having read over the other answers, some of that is right on, some of them aren't reading your postings. I was in that same situation, and almost still am. I never did get my levels down to a complete 0. I do have 2 Large Arowana, 2 large Oscars, a big Tin Foil Barb, a Datnoid and medium sized male lavander gourmai in my 75 gallon tank, and my ammonia is a .2 and nitrite like .3. My nitrates initially were off the scale like over 100, I did two 25 % water changes in the same day, had algea all over my plants and decorations, until I reduced the light time. I added Algone, which are packets kept in your filter, and Bio Sphera too. I reduced my levels, but did not 0 it out. I am not having any of my fish showing signs of distress nor dying either. I would reccomend that you do not go changing the water so often unless it starts to read off the scale. Just let nature take its course, do NOT add new fish unless they all die out, because you need some in there for ammonia production, and sometimes there are just lags in the colony building. Try using Cycle, its dormant bacteria, the baciter and somma colonies, and it helped bring my levels down too. Basically it took about 4 weeks before I introduced steadily my bigger fish to the 75 gallon tank. My 20 is holding my smaller Gourami and a very specially bred arowana from Asia, but is an offshoot of Jardini. That tank has been going since the end of Feb, has some small deaths in danio and mollies but that was just initally. I'd use cycle with Bio Spheria, and just wait it out. And as the other said. Let the gravel be, bacteria lives there as well as your filter. If you must clean the filter, do so in tank water in a bucket, just rinse it in the tank water and not in the sink, your more liable to retain your good bacteria and not wash it away. I know it's tough but hang in there

Answer 3

Its so longgggggggggg Luckily the answer was in the first paragraph. The bloody lines and cloudy eyes is Ammonia poisoning. Common in small tanks with a large bio load like goldfish. Fish are hardy and can live thru years of abuse (which is what you where doing even though I'm sure the pet store guy told you it was totally cool) And Finaly they succumb to it. You friend that was feeding the fish most likely feed to much along with that small tank and the messy goldfish probably led the the ammonia levels being deadly within 5-6 days or so. Its sooo common with small tanks and inexperienced fish owners so don't feel bad about it. I am not in any way trying ot be mean either so please don't take it that way. I'm just saying what comes from 12 plus years of fish keeping and running a fish store of my own. So lets say your gonna start this tank again ok ? Not goldfish as you are just about to know this..... Goldfish need a MINIMUM 20 gallon tank for one and an additional 10 gallons for each additionl fish. Contrary to popular culture and chain pet store advice, goldfish cannot be kept in small tanks even if they are filtered. So maybe google white cloud mountain minnows. They will be just what you are looking for I think. So back to the tank. You need a filter and to treat the water your putting in the tank with a high quality water conditioner before you put new water in. You also need to change the water every 5 days at least 30 % and put in fresh conditioned water. In that small a tank I would even recomend you do 100 % change every week but white clouds aren't anywhere near as messy as goldfish so they won't put as much of a bio load on the tank. If you have any other questions please feel free to E-mail me. If your E-mailing to yell and make a point about how your the best fish keeper ever and you did nothing wrong. Save it. I won't even read it. Best of luck to you in the future - Mickey

Answer 4

it could just be the testing chemical. But they make these white rock sacks that you can put in with your filter there like the coal sacks but there purpose is to get rid of the amonia. Try using stress coat as well this way the fish are protected from unwanted chemicals. Tak a sample of your water to the local fish store most will test it free.*** let me add this stress coat is not a chemical the rocks i mentioned are natural use them both. Dont change your water but once a month thats all you need to do once amonth do a 35% water change cleaning the gravel and filters and the glass. Thats why you buy filters they do the cleaning. doing water changes more then once a month is too much your not letting the filters serve their purpose. Just let your tank run for a month no cleaning what so ever get an algae eater pleco is best suited. dont put in so much effort with a freshwater tank it dont need it saltwater takes need this kind of care freshwater tanks need to be left alone.

Answer 5

Something weird is going on in your tank, how many fish do you have in there. Im guesing your tank is crowded and everytime ammonia levels go down you over feed your fish or something or you do a giant water change and the ammonia rises. Go buy Stresszyme, do a 40 percent water change, apply most of the stress zyme, then dont do another water change for 3 weeks then do a 20 percent and add StressZyme

Answer 6

Hmm. Maybe with such large frequent water changes, you're actually sort of re-setting the cylcing process. All that new water so often probably makes it difficult for the tank to cycle and stay cycled because the good bacterias are getting wiped out. I'd probably just let it be for a while and let it run its course. Yeah some of the fish might be stressed out by it, but it's better than keeping your tank forever in the cycling process.

Answer 7

sounds like your problem is if im reading correctly you are doing water changes once every 2 days thats way to often. in a new tank it could take a couple of months for it to cycle which often means drastic changes in the water and possible cloudiness. thats why fish like the danios are recommended because they are very hearty, unfortunately u will lose fish during the cycle but it will happen over time and before you know it your water will be fine and u can add others. they where also right be careful with the chemicals, professionals use very little if anything in freshwater tanks.

Answer 8

Feed them less and get some water salt.