Help with Water Test Readings

[assad319]

Following advice from another thread I started, I have tested the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph of my water which has been cycling in the tank for 12 days.

It was set up using 'dead' live rocks. I added some bacteria balls about 5 days ago and since then green algae has started to develop significantly all over and the water is cloudy, which I believe are good signs.

My test readings were as follows;

Nitrite: 0.1
Nitrate 25
ph: around 8.4/8.5
Ammonia: the interpretation of the colour chart is not so clear to me. I have included a picture of the tube and the colour chart. Should I interpret this to be 0 or is it 0.5? There is no tinge of yellow but 0.5 seems be grey. Bit confusing if you ask me!!

Also are all the readings par with the stage I am in the cycle?

Thanks all in advance.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I agree that chart is difficult to read. If you have nitrites present, there is probably ammonia at this early stage.

If you wanted to double check, you can pick up an API ammonia test kit for ~$10. Other than that, it seems like things are progressing as expected.

 

[S.Pepper]

What is the source of your water? Are you using ro/di water?

 

[BeejReef]

Nothing out of the ordinary for a tank two weeks into a cycle.
I don't use that kit, so can't comment on the reading. Zero nitrite is your end goal. When you see that, you can be all but assured that ammonia is not an issue.

A lot off algae already? Are you running your lights?
It's not "bad," but you don't have to endure algae during your cycle if you prefer not to. You can just not run your lights, or run them minimally. The light may also be contributing the the cloudiness of the water.

How are you feeding the tank? Dosing ammonia or ghost-feeding?

 

[MERKEY]

Slow and steady but it is doing its thing!

 

[assad319]

I had been running my lights for 11 hours but have reduced them to 5 hours since yesterday.

Honestly not sure what is meant by feeding the tank. I have been adding 'bacteria balls' but apart from putting in old rocks into the tank and sand, I have not added anything else.

 

[BeejReef]

feeding the tank means what are you putting in there to sustain and multiply the bacteria?
I'm not familiar with bacteria balls.

Bacteria don't generally starve, but if you want them to grow onto the rocks and expand their numbers, beyond the bio balls you've put in, you have to provide an ammonia source.. either dosing the chemical, or with fish food or a rotting shrimp.