No Nitrite follow up -- GOOD NEWS!

Question
I wanted to let you know that my tank with no nitrites has FINALLY started to cycle -- I last emailed you about 4 weeks ago with my first fishless cycle question...I was the one with no nitrites ever in a stocked tank (dead gouramis in 6 months) , then with no nitrites in an ammonia-seeded fishless tank after 4 weeks. After you mentioned the possibility of my tap[ water containing heavy metals, I drained my tank (for the second time!) and refilled with 40% spring water, 60% tap that was dechlorinated w/ aqua-safe. I tried the "add a shrimp" method, and within 2 days I showed .25 nitrites :) today is day 3 -- ammonia at 4.0, nitrites at .5, and the shrimp is still not too smelly or nasty. So, I don't know if the spring water or the shrimp did the trick, but I think we're on the way! many thanks for your help...this has been most frustrating! Can't wait to get fish and know I won't be torturing them with ammonia poisoning...

Answer
Hi Allison
Well that's great news!!  I remember you, lol, that's just so bizarre, I've never heard of that happening before.  I can imagine how frustrating it was, I know I was frustrated trying to find anything similar to that :)  I'm going to venture to say it was probably the spring water.  The shrimp method works good from what I've heard-I've luckily haven't had to cycle a tank from scratch for years now, but the ammonia would be quicker-I would think anyway, because it's straight ammonia as opposed to waiting for the shrimp to get all funky.  

I think I mentioned this to you before, but might be a good idea to have your water tested, especially if you're drinking it or cooking with it.  Something may be at a higher then normal level which could be unsafe.  Your local health dept. should be able to direct you to someone who can test it.  If you have children, they may even do it for free....not sure though.  But I know they're real big on testing kids for lead poisoning and such.

Another thing to consider, assuming it is a high metal content that was inhibiting the bacteria from growing, you may need to continue using spring water for water changes, or 1/2 and 1/2 with your tap water.  Otherwise, the heavy metals-again assuming that's what it is-might kill off the bacteria, which would cause your ammonia to spike again....Or, if you do get it tested to see if something is high, you may be able to just get a filter that fits on the faucet.  I'm not that familiar with those, but they have different levels of filtration-like aquarium filters, for removing different things from the water.

Well let me know when it's all said and done, and fingers crossed this works this time!!!  So glad it seems to be working so far :)

Christy