Cycling the Tank

[Rainbows]

Hi,
I'm new to the aquarium hobby and was wondering how to properly do a fishless cycle with my tank. What products do I use and how should they be used? Also how long does fishless cycling last for before I can add fish? I'm planning to add plants too so at what stage do I add the plants?

[Tech Support GL]

If you want to do a fish less cycle it will take a little longer than adding fish and bacteria like Stability. It is okay to add plants, but if you are using ammonia you may want to wait. It is less economical to add bacteria and no fish because the bacteria need fish waste to consume to increase populations. If you add bacteria and no fish most of the bacteria will more than likely die because of a lack of nutrients. If you would like to look up more about fish less cycling here is a pretty good site to read; http://www.myfishtank.net/articles/fishlesscycle.php When you do add your fish, clean your filters, or perform water changes it is still a good idea to add Stability. The bacteria will most definitely help and keep the tank from recycling especially when you add fish (if more fish than bacteria can handle are introduced).

[Rainbows]

I'm doing a fishless cycle on my tank for over a week now and have not had any nirite spike. I'm wondering why there is no nirite spike and if thats normal. I've got a seeded canister filter attached and feed the tank fish food as a source of ammonia. I also add stability and prime to speed things along but nothing seems to be happening. There is currently no fish or plants. Can you please give me some advice on what I should do.
Thanks

[Tech Support GL]

You may or may not see a nitrite spike. It is very possible to have the bacteria that consume nitrite consuming it as it is produced and populating the filter, substrate, and water column at a rate equal to production. Once you have zero ammonia and not signs of nitrite with the fish less cycle you have built up a bacterial population to sustain the correct number of fish. If you are adding Stability you can more than likely add fish at this point.