Can anyone let me no where i am in my cycle? I have ammonia levels around .25, nitrites are 0, and nitrates are 20. Is it odd to have nitrates and ammonia and no nitrites. So far i have not gotten any nitrites and time i have tested. anyone have an answer?
ammonia and nitrates
- Thread starter friendorfoe
- Start date
We'll need a brief history/summary of the tank, and the same measurements of your tapwater. Nitrates can be commonly found in tapwater, and are not necessarily a sign of a completed cycle unless the levels are elevated above your tap.
How long has your tank being cycling?
The first phase of the cycling process in the spike in ammonia (NH3). During this time your nitrate (NO3) will be 0 and nitrite (NO2) will also be close to 0.
The 2nd phase is the spike in NO2. During this period your NH3 will start dropping and and your NO3 will start climbing.
Phase 3 ... when the tank is cycles you will have 0 readings for NH3 and NO2 and your NO3 will be anwhere between 0 to 20ppm.
Now you are ready to add fish.
Rohn
The first phase of the cycling process in the spike in ammonia (NH3). During this time your nitrate (NO3) will be 0 and nitrite (NO2) will also be close to 0.
The 2nd phase is the spike in NO2. During this period your NH3 will start dropping and and your NO3 will start climbing.
Phase 3 ... when the tank is cycles you will have 0 readings for NH3 and NO2 and your NO3 will be anwhere between 0 to 20ppm.
Now you are ready to add fish.
Rohn
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I have yet to test the water straight out of the tap. But that sounds like a good explanation. Its a fishy cycle, started one month ago, It was not seeded. Also i do daily 20 % water change. Does anyone have a guesstamate on how much longer it will take?