I got my test kit...so what does it all mean?

[lemans81]

My tank is a 55 gallon, with fish listed in my sig. I added about 5lbs of rocks from an established tank, and a filter from an established tank.

So today I got my master test kit and here are the stats.


pH 7.1(was between 7.0 and 7.2 and tap water here is 7.2)
Nitrates 0 ppm
Nitrites 0 ppm
Amonia was between 0.0 and .25

So what does it all mean, I am guessing that I am still cycling although the tank has had fish and been running for about 3.5 weeks.

[Lady Hobbs]

Test kits are vital in knowing about your water and what is taking place in your tank.

When cycling a tank, first you will have ammonia levels and only the ammonia needs to be done in the very beginning. It should be checked daily and if it gets too high (like over 1.0) you may have to do small water changes daily as long as it remains high. Ammonia is very toxic to fish.

In about a week, you should be checking ammonia and nitrites. Bacteria forms that will began eating up the ammonia and then you have high nitrites. Also toxic to fish. Both those two tests should be done daily and once again, nitrites too high are also toxic to fish and again, more small water changes should it get too high. In another week, start checking all 3. When you have 0 ammonia levels, 0 nitrites and show that you now have nitrates, your tank is cycled.

Ammonia=nitrites=nitrates

Once your tank is fully cycled, these readings are no longer necessary unless you should added too large a number of fish again. When adding new fish, you should also add only a few at a time and you will have no more problems.

When cycling with fish, all this testing is very important so those fish won't die. Doing the fishless cycle so so much easier with no water changes necessary on your part. You add pure ammonia daily and just let that tank go until you have a finished cycle then add the fish.

[lemans81]

I messed up

My nitrates are 10 ppm

and the fish in my tank are:
55 gallon tank
2x dwarf Gourami
1x cherry barb
1xSerpae Tetra
1xraphael catfish
3xleopard danios
1xred tailed shark.

[Lady Hobbs]

Well, if your ammonia and nitrites are both 0, your tank is cycled.

[jeffs99dime]

yes. it should be cycled. i would personally test it for the next couple of days or so just to be on the safe side though.

[jman]

i would just test at least 3 times afterward.