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Originally Posted by InLimbo87  Its very possible that your tank just isn't going to cycle. I would suggest (as you said) adding some flake food or something small to decompose in there. If the levels all still stay zero, you're good to go adding livestock slowly.
As for chemipure and purigen, I don't see how they would stall your cycle whatsoever. |
I'm beginning to think this might be the case. I've read a great deal on the aspects of "fishless" cycling, and it is possible to introduce small to moderate, consistent bioload into a new tank which may already contain nitrifying bacteria. In this scenario, there will only be small, brief ammonia spikes which may not be detected. I've been adding flake food twice a day for three days to an 8g tank. Still no ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate. I know my test kits work, but I still took a water sample to my LFS this morning and got the same results. I also called for tech support the companies that make chemipure and purigen. Both adamantly said their products have no effect on the cycling process, except to possibly enhance it.
If I inadvertently cycled a tank quickly and quietly, it's assuredly not due to my skill as an aquarist; it would be a stroke of sheer luck! OR- maybe I just still have a sterile tank for some reason. I'll give it to the end of the week and then maybe buy a small CUC or something, although there's not much to clean up -yet. Thank you.
Jim