First tank cycle test

[MugiwaraGrape]

Hello everyone!

I did my first tank test today. This is my second day adding seachem stability and yesterday I added a pinch of fish food to get some ammonia going.

The test results so far are
Ammonia: .25-.5ppm
Nitrite: 0 (as far as I could tell)
Nitrate: 5-10ppm

Is nitrite supposed to be 0 here or should I be seeing a number as well?

Should I test every day, every other, or so on?
When should I do my first water change?

 

[Propane]

if this is your first cycle go ahead and test everyday to practice getting consistent. The tank is going to cycle if you feed it weather or not you test. Nitrite at 0 is not a big concern I missed nitrite on my cycle. Do a water change after the tank completes its cycle.

 

[littlefoxx]

Hello everyone!

I did my first tank test today. This is my second day adding seachem stability and yesterday I added a pinch of fish food to get some ammonia going.

The test results so far are
Ammonia: .25-.5ppm
Nitrite: 0 (as far as I could tell)
Nitrate: 5-10ppm

Is nitrite supposed to be 0 here or should I be seeing a number as well?

Should I test every day, every other, or so on?
When should I do my first water change?

What test kit? API is horrible and gives false readings a lot. Usually should wait a month, ammonia should be 0, nitrite should be 0 and nirtite under 10 ppm

 

[MugiwaraGrape]

What test kit? API is horrible and gives false readings a lot. Usually should wait a month, ammonia should be 0, nitrite should be 0 and nirtite under 10 ppm

Yeah I used that API Master test. What should I get instead? Also which one should be under 10? I noticed you mentioned nitrite twice. Haha

 

[littlefoxx]

Also welcome!

 

[MugiwaraGrape]

if this is your first cycle go ahead and test everyday to practice getting consistent. The tank is going to cycle if you feed it weather or not you test. Nitrite at 0 is not a big concern I missed nitrite on my cycle. Do a water change after the tank completes its cycle.

So pretty much when ammonia reads zero do a water change?

 

[MugiwaraGrape]

I apologize if my questions are silly. Just trying to make absolute certain I do exactly what is right. Haha

 

[Propane]

Salifert is a good alternative to API. I used API for my cycle and upgraded to Hanna and aqua forest

 

[Propane]

I apologize if my questions are silly. Just trying to make absolute certain I do exactly what is right. Haha

Questions are always good and yes when you have no ammonia do a water change. Don’t sweat the cycle it’s likely the easiest part of the hobby and if you feed a tank and wait it will cycle.

 

[MugiwaraGrape]

Salifert is a good alternative to API. I used API for my cycle and upgraded to Hanna and aqua forest

Oh awesome! I planned to grab the Hanna module things eventually but figured this API would be a good start. Just my luck. Haha I will switch to the salifert for now then if it is the better choice.

 

[MugiwaraGrape]

Questions are always good and yes when you have no ammonia do a water change. Don’t sweat the cycle it’s likely the easiest part of the hobby and if you feed a tank and wait it will cycle.

How often should I add a pinch of the food? I don't want to over do it knowing the food will take time to break down.

 

[Propane]

You don’t need to switch test kits right now. Save your money and get upgrades when you can. I test nitrate, phosphate, and alk with Hanna and mag and calcium with aqua forest.

 

[Propane]

How often should I add a pinch of the food? I don't want to over do it knowing the food will take time to break down.

You can add a little pinch each day but if you already have ammonia your tank is doing it’s thing. That being said my ammonia never spiked according to API and also never went away lol. If you can go get fishless fuel and add according to instructions. Food has always been too random for cycling IMO.

 

[MugiwaraGrape]

You can add a little pinch each day but if you already have ammonia your tank is doing it’s thing. That being said my ammonia never spiked according to API and also never went away lol. If you can go get fishless fuel and add according to instructions. Food has always been too random for cycling IMO.

Yeah I seen a few others saying food is too random and uncontrolled immediately after I added food to the tank following my LFS suggestion. So pick up fishless fuel and do that instead of food.

 

[Propane]

How long have you been cycling?

 

[MugiwaraGrape]

How long have you been cycling?

Just over 2 days now.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello everyone!

I did my first tank test today. This is my second day adding seachem stability and yesterday I added a pinch of fish food to get some ammonia going.

The test results so far are
Ammonia: .25-.5ppm
Nitrite: 0 (as far as I could tell)
Nitrate: 5-10ppm

Is nitrite supposed to be 0 here or should I be seeing a number as well?

Should I test every day, every other, or so on?
When should I do my first water change?

If these are true numbers, you are well on your way to being cycled. When the ammonia reads zero for 5 days straight and nitrate 20 or below for 5 days, you are cycled. When fish are added these numbers will raise but then fall again.

 

[Propane]

Just stay the course and watch. If your nitrates are rising you are cycling. The ammonia is not necessary I just prefer it and always recommend it.

 

[MugiwaraGrape]

I really appreciate all of your reassurance and advice. I felt like I had done this extreme level of reading to prepare for this set up and then the moment I started I was like "oh, what am I doing again?" lol

 

[Propane]

Lol that pretty much sums it up. Welcome to the hobby.