I feel compelled to add to the book. Most of the posters have indicated that water changes are essential while cycling a tank. I agree completely. As much as i'd like to comment on the fish-in vs. fish-less cycle,,,,i'll save it for another thread. We've high jacked this one enough :) To the OP, just keep doing those water changes.

breaknrun is right to an extent: there is bacteria in the water column, true, but most of the bacteria are scattered amongst the filters/pads, all over any surface, especially the gravel (the gravel is a hotbed of good bacteria...reason I never ever vacuum (another expert tip shot down).

On the other hand, dependent upon the water testing (reason water testing is absolutely necessary), if the ammonia, nitrite and/or nitrate is very high, do a 50% water change; if low, do a 25% water...and after the tank is cycled, you should always do a 25-30% water change every week, all at once, but preferably twice a week, that is, 12-15% on one day, 12-15% on another).

Our fish do not live in swamps. A water change mimics the rivers/streams/oceans etc...water is constantly changing, hence, a water change ((smiles)).

One last thing, if the fish cycle is applied. Two danios will begin the cycling via their poop. Believe it or not, I started the cycle with 2 zebra danios (very hardy), these 2 fish started the process, after a few days, I added 6 more zebra danios, watched very closely, tested vigorously, like almost every day, which sped up the cycling, that in about 3-4 weeks, the tank was cycled; usually 2 zebra danios will cycle an entire tank within 6 weeks (on average)...and best of all, all the zebra danios remained alive after the cycling.

So again, Observation. Test. Water change. Do not Overfeed. Observation. And enjoy.