Something just doesn't seem right about this tank cycle. I have had good luck adding the quick start with fish. I think the BB are much more forgiving than people give them credit for to help adjust for new bioload.
The only difference I did for testing is that I shaked every bottle before using for 10 seconds....and of coarse di the 30seconds for the nitrate.
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I have to make a side note. If you hadn't been shaking the test solution bottles before and are now shake the bottles those test solutions in those bottles could be weak. And not give an accurate reading. You may need to buy new test kit.
Eh, they never showed any signs of distress and had great coloration and were healthy as far as the eyes could tell.
Or add a filter or media from an established filter?
You're making this WAY harder than it needs to be...
Matt