7 months not cycled..?

[Sillyfishies]

I've had my 29 gallon tank for 7 (almost 8) months now. I currently have a bristle nose pleco and some juvenile cichlids that I'm getting rehomed once they start to outgrow. The tank still isn't cycled. 0 nitrates. I'm using a liquid test kit. And yes I really banged around the bottle before using it. Is it faulty maybe? What do you guys think?

 

[frank98284]

what are your other readings ammo etc...

 

[Chronos313]

Aside from the test results are you changing your filter pad monthly or rinsing it in tap water?

 

[New2me]

Could you get your water checked at lfs just to get another opinion?

 

[GNarnian]

It was bottle #2 that you smacked around right? Is it past its expiration date?

 

[librarygirl]

All good questions above. If you can answer those it'll help us pinpoint the issue. I'd also like to add how frequently are you doing water changes and what is the PH of the tank?

 

[Sillyfishies]

Retested.

Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40-80 (can't tell)

I guess I was just messing up doing the test...