Ammonia level

[julie3340]

I finally received my liquid test kit =)....my ammonia is at 0.25...i am doing 50-80% water changes every other day. I have a 60 gallon tank and have been cycling for about 3 weeks...had a setback so now probably into week number 2. When should i start testing for Nitrates and Nitrites?

[smaug]

are you cycling with fish? If so,a reading of .25 while being safer for the fish will mean your cycle will never really kick in.In the past I have let it get to at least 1ppm for a day or 2 thereafter I do water changes to keep it at .5ppm.You can expect a cycle to finish in about 3 weeks this way,with nitrites showing up about a 3 to 5 days after ammo had gone to 1ppm. The use of prime will keep any ammonia and trites non poisonous through this process.

[julie3340]

Yes, I am cycling with Fish...i have 5 minnows. The ammonia level has gone as high as 1.0-2.0 ppm.....I also have put in bacteria booster when i do the water changes

[smaug]

Have you ever gotten a nitrite reading?

[julie3340]

Well before I bought the liquid testing kit i was using strips...so i am not sure how acurate they are....but i haven't done one with the liquid yet

[smaug]

When you test during cycling always do the ammonia and trite together. dont worry about nitrates yet.