Ammonia is Taking Forever...

[rnj79]

Hi all :)

I have been out of the scene for a long time! My husband transferred and we took our aquarium down to take a break. We recently got back into the hobby and put up a brand new 60 gallon tank. We put 9 platies and 4 black shirt tetras in it to cycle.

My question is: We've had fish in it since Feb. 19th but the ammonia levels have not budged at all- they are staying at zero. All tests are zero straight across the board. I have the temp set at 78 degrees. The pH is 7.6. Our filtration is a Fluval G3 series. Is there a reason why its taking so long to acquire an ammonia reading? Is this normal?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[cm12setx]

What are you using to test the ammonia? And have you read this to refresh your memory.
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ad.php?t=36492

[vafa]

if you have a test kit how long have you had it. sound like you have an expired one or are using test strips

[rnj79]

My test kit is the API liquid drops kind. We have never used those paper test strips bc they are inaccurate. The kit we have is brand new- got it when we got the fish.

I read up on everything before we put the tank up and several times since. I did realize after I had already posted... we have 9 fish total- 5 platies-4 black skirts.

[Slaphppy7]

Describe the steps you take to test the ammonia...

What are the nitrIte and nitrAte levels?

[rnj79]

8 drops from Ammonia bottle one, 8 drops from Ammonia bottle two into 5 ml of water. Shake for 5 seconds and set a timer for 5 minutes, just like the directions say.

Nitrites and nitrates are both zero.

My son is picking up a new Master Water Test Kit today, even though the one we have has an expiration date of 2019.

[Slaphppy7]

Yep, that's how you do it

Just noticed you are a fellow Texan

[rnj79]

Yep, that's how you do it

Just noticed you are a fellow Texan

Yep. Texas (Northeast) born and raised for 33 years! We transferred to Baton Rouge in 2012 for my husband's job.

Just tested Ammonia and Nitrites again... Ammonia is .25 and Nitrites are zero. I just wish this would get going; we are ready to add more fish!

[Slaphppy7]

I'm born and raised, but a tad few more years than that

For the trAte test, did you shake the 2nd bottle like crazy?...like you've never shaken anything before?

I'm most puzzled that you are not showing nitrAtes at all...

[rnj79]

I'm born and raised, but a tad few more years than that

For the trAte test, did you shake the 2nd bottle like crazy?...like you've never shaken anything before?

I'm most puzzled that you are not showing nitrAtes at all...

Shook it as best I could. Did it again a few minutes ago and its 0. The water is yellow as can be with the solution in it.

Are we not feeding the fish enough? Is the tank stocked correctly? Is the temperature ok (78 degrees)? I am beyond stumped as well.