I have been following this post with interest and sorry to say a lot of laughter I have no idea where you got the info on how to cycle your tank,but boy is it so off track it is hilarious! To cycle a tank(fishless is to put everything in the tank,gravel wood rocks plants heater filter and then just feed the tank with a raw shrimp or some flake food. Do this for a week,then check the amonia,nitrite and nitrate levels.These things should go in a series of spikes....Amonnia first goes up then drops to near zero and nitrite goes up then drops to near zero and then nitrates goes up then drops down. When you have zero amonnia,zero nitrites and a number of nitrates above zero then add your fish a few at a time and then check the perimiteres after a week and if it is zero amonnia,nitrites and a small number for nitrates then add a fw more fish and continue until you have the tank filled with an apropriate number of fish for the tank size. From what I read in your posts you have been doing things to counter what your trying to acheive. If this post sounds blunt it is,but not twards you,just the way you have been going Good Luck with the tank

Shakespere says...to be or not to be?

Fish hobbiests say....To buy or not to buy!

http://www.fishchannel.com/fishkidz/beginner-fish/fishless-cycling.aspx

So if it's wrong, maybe this website and accompanying forum isn't such a good source of information for someone trying to learn how to keep fish?

One last thing: while your advice is appreciated and welcome, your laughter is not. It's discouraging and irritating..so please keep it to yourself.

It is quite simple really,when you are attempting to cycle a tank you have to let nature take it's course and allow the bacteria to do the cycling. Everytime you change water during the proccess you are in escence removing the bacteria you want and starting the cycle again. I was not laghing at you only the fact you were doing things right,and then by changing water setting your cycling back to where you began. I am sorry you spent money on xtras that you could have used for fish when the tank is ready.

Shakespere says...to be or not to be?

Fish hobbiests say....To buy or not to buy!

I had to join in when I saw this. I completely agree. Whenever I cycle a tank I never buy live bacteria or even add fish. I set it up, put in a pinch of flake, monitor the ammonia and nitrates, then after about 3 weeks Ill add fish. I've never had a problem with simple fishless cycling.

As I'm doing.

I've never cycled with fish before, but its an interesting experience...I'm glad I'm ALMOST DONE...

125 Gallon Aquarium: 4 Discus, 6 Cardinal Tetras, 16 Red Eye Tetras, 2 Flame Tetras, 3 Cory Catfish