should my tests be reading more

[mairtin]

Hi all, I set my first tank up just over 2 weeks ago (40g) I then added some danios and mollies into the tank about 5 days ago.....anyway I went out and bought the API master test kit yesterday and used it for the first time this morning , the results i got back are as follows. PH 7.6 , Ammonia 0ppm , Nitrite 0.25, Nitrate 0ppm.....I am just wondering are these tests ok or should the water in my tank be reading more of Ammonia? any help would be appreiciated...thank you

[Northernguy]

Did you read and follow all the instructions for each test?
Did shake the hell out of each chemical vile before testing?
Did you wait the the desired time limit.
Did you rinse your test viles before use?
If you did all this then your test is accurate.
Do a water change and lower those nitrites. lol

[MonkeyPox]

Your tank has started its cycle, and showing nitrites is an indication of that. Keep up with water changes and monitor your tank's progress until you no longer see ammonia or nitrites.

[MOA]

Hello,

I always advocate fishless cycling because the patterns are more predictable. If you cycle with fish in the tank, however, then the quantities can do really strange things. You might wind up with a periodic relation that eventually cycles out, but the time until then can be very dangerous for your fish. The most important thing is regular (every other day) partial (10-30%) water changes.

MOA

[mairtin]

Thanks guys


I followed all with what you said Northern.....although i didn't shake the bottles before i put the solution into the test tubes, although i did it with the Nitrate . do that next time thanks.

Moneypox just wondering should I see signs of Ammonia before anything eles, as there was no signs at all of ammonia.

I have alot to learn. in saying that this is the place to learn, thanks again.