3 Months and Ammonia is Still Not Zero

We set up a 29 gallon tank for my son back on Labor day weekend, and we have yet to get our ammonia readings down to zero. Right now it is at 0.25 and we've been consistent for the last couple of weeks. Here's the numbers from last night's test using the API freshwater testkit:

Ammonia = 0.25
Nitrite = 0.0
Nitrate = 5.0
Ph = 7.4 (typically flucuates between 7.2 to 7.6)

Here's the tank details:

Power filtration (Aquatech 30-60)
Bubble wand (or whatever it's called) for aeration
3 zebra danios
3 platy's
1 chinese algae eater

In mid-November the ammonia was around 4.0 to 8.0 so I was doing 50% to 60% water changes every night until it got down to our current reading of 0.25. We also cutback to one feeding a day.

The ammonia stays at 0.25 for around 3 days and will creep up to 0.50 and I'll do another 50% water change. I use Prime as my water treatment, and the treated water has no ammonia.

Have we cycled?

Is it unusual to have ammonia but no nitrite?

Do you think we can add a few more fish?

Thanks,
James

SmallFishi said:

Have you changed your filter or ran it under tap water where maybe the bio is having to start over?
I'm getting some pretty funky readings right now right as I thought my tank was completely cycled so nicely and appropriately but i'm not sure if it's because I used a product in it that is making it go wierd have you used anything in yours other than the prime?
I could be wrong but if you were cycled along with that ammonia reading you should have a nitrIte reading as well, as nitrAte doesn't get rid of ammonia.

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The only filter I've changed is the one containing the charcoal, the other one which breeds the necessary bacteria has not been changed. We once rinsed the permanent filter under the faucet, and then learned that was a mistake. It probably set us back a few weeks.

I've also stopped adding anything to the water other than the treatment (Prime). We used to add salt, Ammo Lock, etc, and it was getting to be a bit too much to figure out what was going on. So I totally simplified, and went with reduced feedings and treated water.

James

liv2padl said:

have you checked your tap water for ammonia?

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I've checked the tap water after it's been treated and it measures zero. I've not measured straight out of the tap, because water straight from the tap never goes in the tank. I treat all the water before I put it in the tank.

It was just strange to me to get ammonia readings but no nitrite readings. I guess a little more patience is needed, because we are definitely headed in the right direction.