Cycling a 20 gallon

[StrikeJohnson]

This is my very first tank, and I could use some help.

My tank has been set up for exactly 5 weeks. 20 gallon high with Penguin Bio-wheel. Have been cycling with 7 small zebra danio. Using API liquid test kits to check the levels daily, I have only ever gotten readings for ammonia and never higher than 1 ppm. I do a 25% water change daily using Prime. I just tested again and the ammonia is gone, but there is also no presence of nitrites or nitrates. Everything is testing at 0. Is my tank cycled? I though there would have to be at least a minimal amount of nitrates.

Note: The substrate I used, Caribsea instant, did come with a small packet of Tetra SafeStart.

 

[Fishanatic]

You are changing too much water. Try waiting until you see ammonia 1-2 before changing, and let it rise again, you are removing the main source or food for the bacteria. I'm afraid to say I think you didn't even start cycling if you didn't get any spikes.

 

[StrikeJohnson]

Thanks. I thought daily water changes seemed excessive, but that's what everything I read said to do. Guess I'll scale it back a bit.