New Tank

[codysmom]

I have a new tank that has been set up with fish for about two weeks. (26 galloon aqua pod) I test the water every day and I still do not have any amonia or nitrates. Isn't this alittle weird? I have even added cycle. Doesn't it have to go through the three stages to get benifical bateria?

 

[puffer32]

You have fish in an uncycled tank? Not a good thing to do. Do you have any LR in the tank? That will help get your cycle started. Or you can add a raw shrimp to jump start the cycle instead of fish.i would take the fish out cause when it does start its cycle they will probably all die. Patience is important with this hobby.

 

[codysmom]

The people at the pet store told me I had to have fish in the tank because it couldn't cycle without their waste, I do have live rock and live sand. I am new at this so I am a little confused, how does water cycle?

 

[puffer32]

Another lieing merchant He just wanted to make a sale

What kind of fish did he sell you? Probably damsels cause the are pretty hardy and just might make it through your cycle, and if they do, probably terrorize any other fish you put in the tank later on.

You don't need their waste to cycle a tank, you need bacteria which is on your rock and sand already, a raw shrimp will help it to cycle faster, same as those fish he sold you, but that is unhumane to sacrafice a living fish. I would take the fish back and demand a refund!

 

[laddy]

I totally agree, you'll need some sort of organic matter to start the cycle and the best way is to not add anymore of that 'cycle', and to add a fresh raw shrimp piece to the tank. I know it sounds weird but its the truth. Some people do start cycles with LR but it can be a slower process. You want to spike your ammonia and start the cycle.