My Cycle Hasn't Started...

[EverAquarium]

For the last few weeks I have been building out a new Axolotl setup. I started with Dr. Tims ammonia and was dosing Stability regularly for a week. After another week I was not seeing any Nitrates so I also ordered some BIO-Spira and added that as well 4 days ago. I tested the water again today, still no nitrates. The tank has some fake plants, a terracotta pot, a couple of reptile hides, and aquarium stones. I am running a heater to keep the temp up to help with the cycle. I am just concerned that I am not seeing any progression of a cycle going on and it has been a little over 3 weeks since the first dose of Dr Tims and Stability.

 

[minorhero]

When you test your water for ammonia is the reading always the same or has it fluctuated up or down? Have you seen any nitrites?

 

[EverAquarium]

When you test your water for ammonia is the reading always the same or has it fluctuated up or down? Have you seen any nitrites?

Ammonia has stayed consistent on the Ammonia Alert and so far no nitrites

 

[minorhero]

Ammonia has stayed consistent on the Ammonia Alert and so far no nitrites

You should switch to using liquid tests for water parameters. Definitely do not rely on strips/badges etc. They are not accurate enough for anything more then a quick check.

Anyway 2 weeks is not very long yet in a cycle. Some people can get a tank cycled that fast but personally I always let mine go for a month. A couple other things. 1) if using liquid tests make sure to look at the tube in sunlight (even overcast) as lightbulbs put out inconsistent quality of light making it harder to accurately read results, and 2) if this is the API liquid test kit be aware that they really want you to shake the nitrate tube hard. As in paint store hard. Fail to shake enough or for the requisite time and it will always show negative results.

 

[EverAquarium]

You should switch to using liquid tests for water parameters. Definitely do not rely on strips/badges etc. They are not accurate enough for anything more then a quick check.

Anyway 2 weeks is not very long yet in a cycle. Some people can get a tank cycled that fast but personally I always let mine go for a month. A couple other things. 1) if using liquid tests make sure to look at the tube in sunlight (even overcast) as lightbulbs put out inconsistent quality of light making it harder to accurately read results, and 2) if this is the API liquid test kit be aware that they really want you to shake the nitrate tube hard. As in paint store hard. Fail to shake enough or for the requisite time and it will always show negative results.

Even with the API liquid tests my Ammonia is reading at least 4 ppm. just not sure why the Stability and the BIO-Spira aren't causing any readings for Nitrates yet.