fishy cycling day 2 .couple questions

[jblewis]

I have a 4 inch black peranha in a 20 gallon tank i know it will be to small when he grows up but it will do for now. i messed up and figured out that it is better to cycle a tank befor you get fish to late for me. i have been doing 50% water changes for day 1 and day 2 befor the ammoinia was .5ppm after it has been .25 ppm and a 0 nitrate and 0 nitrite.

today i have added a packet of bio spira to speed up the bacteria growth.

is .25 bad should i cycle more water out so it is less then .25ppm?

when i am trying to develop bacteria is it ok to vacume the rocks or should i leave them alone?

how long do i need to change water befor the tank can support its self?

and how will i know if the bacteria has developed?

[Galaxie]

is .25 bad should i cycle more water out so it is less then .25ppm?
You need ammonia for the beneficial bacteria to develop, so .25 is fine.


when i am trying to develop bacteria is it ok to vacume the rocks or should i leave them alone?
Yes, you can vacuum.


how long do i need to change water befor the tank can support its self?
You never want ammonia to get too high or the fish will die. .5ppm might be a good goal to shoot for. Until the tank is cycled (see below), keep on doing partial water changes to combat ammonia and nitrite.


and how will i know if the bacteria has developed?
When ammonia and nitrite read "zero" always, on a test kit. Give it approx. 3 weeks.