I recently got a 20 gallon tank for two 3 inch goldfish. I have had it set up for a month and the cycle has not started at ALL. I have no nitrites whatsoever.

Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 0
PH: 7.2
KH: extremely low (lowest one on strip not sure how to read it)
The PH also is extremely unstable and keeps dropping. I've tried baking soda because I'd read that it could be a buffer. The water is extremely soft. I also have a 10 gallon tank that I am trying to do a fishless cycle on with ammonia drops and that also won't start the cycle.

I have successfully cycled tanks in the past with no problem.

My filters are aquaclear. I have two of them up and running.
Sorry if this is disorganized.

I would add straight ammonia to the tank getting up to 5ppm and run it like that for a while and it has to start cycling.

Go to this link and scroll all the way down to bottom. THere is a calculator for how much ammonia to add to get you at that level. Goes by tank volume. Just make sure you dont have cleaning ammonia with soap in it. I always shake it and see if it foams or not as a precaution.

Good luck

Are the goldfish in it, if not how are you cycling it.

Hi Happy,

Overfeed the fish for 1-2 days and add a dose of bacteria, Cycle is the product I've used for a long time, never let me down. One thing though, check the expiry date they are living organisms after all.

Good luck!

You could purchase some alkaline buffer from your LFS. I use RO water and have the same problem so i use it a lot. You may also try getting some substrate or rocks from an already established tank to help the bacteria get going.