No nitrates in 2 and a half weeks?

[pinnacle2009]

I have had my 10g for almost 3 weeks now. For the past 3-4 days I have been feeding the tank ammonia to about 4ppm, before this time, I had a few tetras and 2 silver mollies in it.

I have heard that nitrates usually start showing up around 2 weeks. Did having fish in the tank slow the cycle down or am I just being impatient?

I'm guess the latter, but thought I would ask about it anyway.

 

[homebunnyj]

Whoever told you that was an optimist.

It could take several more weeks. What is your nitrite reading? You'll see a peak in that before you ever see nitrates.

 

[MissFishy]

If there are no fish in the tank, you can up your ammonia levels to 5.0 ppm and raise the tank temp to 85 to speed it up. You'll see nitrites, then nitrate, could be another couple weeks though.

 

[pinnacle2009]

Just reread this. I meant nitrites and not nitrates. Sorry bout that!