http://forum.aqua-fish.net/ A forum devoted to aquarium fish, plants, techniques and fish keeping as a whole. en http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=cycling-help-#1 I bought a 75 gal. fish tank w/stand 4 weeks ago. I set it up and started to cycle w/o fish immediately for 3 weeks. I have: 1-Emperor 400 Power Filter 1-200 watt heater 2" of substrate on the tank floor (aquarium approved) 1 Lg. driftwood 18" tall and branches 12" wide anchored on tank floor. (bought from LFS) One Lg. aquarium approved Castle 18" tall x 16" wide. 1-12" airstone 1-decorative bubbler 6-plants less than 8' tall each 2-Rosy Red Minnows 7-Zebra Fish (Danio rerio) When I started the tank I started with everything but the fish. I was told by my LFS to leave it as is for 3 weeks (only run the filter and air and add water lost by evaporation) (dechlorinator used) then bring in a water sample. At week 3 I brought in a sample. Ammonia was .25, Nitrite 5+, Nitrate 20 and pH 8. I was advised to add 6 Rosy Red Minnows. 4 died on the way home and the 2 I added are doing great. I decided to add 7 zebra's on my own. They are doing great. But....one week later my Nitrite is still 5+, Nitrates 20, pH 8 and ammonia 0. I check my water every day and this is wherer it is staying. I have done 2 20% water changes this past week as well. I have talked to my LFS 4 times over the last 4 weeks and I have gotten 4 different answers. Twice from the same guy. I am doing the water changes to make it easier on my fish. Now what???? Thanks for your input and suggestions in advance. Fred Fredkr 2011-07-11