0 ammonia?

Little-Fizz

Alright so I'm cycling my new 28 gallon tank, it's bee going since november 15th. I just tested the water and my readings are as follows, Nitrite 1.0ppm, Nitrate 10 ppm, and ammonia 0-0.25? It's more yellowish then green but not a pure yellow colour. I'm pretty sure I did the right amount of drops and what not. I just find it hard to believe that a couple days ago it was like 2.0ppm and I haven't changed the water or anything. That bring me to my next question, Now the I have nitrates (Yayyyyy) and I'm on my way to a cycled tank do I have to start performing little water changes to dilute any ammonia or nitrites? Or will they disappear on their own? I'm thinking they won't but yeah Better to get expert advice rather then wing it and hope something happens lol. Thanks!

SKAustin

Continue testing until your nitrite readings reach 0. If you continue to see an increase in nitrate, but no change in your ammonia and nitrite readings, it's very possible that you are reading the test results wrong. API test kits can be difficult at times to discern. Once you are sure the ammonia and nitrite are at 0. do a 10% water change, and off you go.

Amphitrite

Agreed that the test results can be difficult to read at times. I've found the best way of viewing them is with a natural light source behind me i.e. with my back to the window - it's easier to distinguish subtle differences in colour that way.

Little-Fizz

Ha alright thanks, I'm super excited about this. Yeah I find the natural light works better too but it was like 5:30 in the morning when I tested the water so mr sun has yet to make an appearance. Plus I live in Canada and it's really crappy weather right now It's very dark and cold outside. I think I'm moving soon not far or anything, but I have no idea how to move a fish tank, and since it will be cycled by then but still a very young tank will this mess up my cycle and cause mini cycles? Whats the best way to move a fish tank and have it ready for my fish on the same day? I could always keeps my ten gallon up and running so when I move that tank I can let it settle for a day or two before putting the fish back into it. Or yeah I have no experience with this so any advice would be great. Thanks!

SKAustin

Funny how the instruction sheet dosent have the added tid-bit on how the test should be read. I lay the card on the table horizontally, and stand the vial on the white of the card just behind the color chart. Neither way is wrong, just whatever works best for you.

But since i forgot to answer the question; No water changes through the cycle. you need the ammonia to feed the Nitrosomonas bactierias, and the nitrite to feed the Nitrospira bacterias.

SKAustin

Move most of the water and the fish to 5 gallon pails. Leave water in the filter, and in the bottom of the tank enough to cover the gravel. Move the tank and try to get the water back into the tank and the filter going in as timely as possible. the bacteria in the system should be okay for a few hours, but any longer and you may see the tank go into a mini cycle.

Little-Fizz

Ha, thats almost exactly what I was thinking. Thank you, If I kept like 15 gallons would that be alright? it's just over half of the tank water.

SKAustin

15 gallons of water will be plenty. Remember, a tanks displayed capacity is calculated by the outside dimensions. If you calculate the actual capacity of the tank, less the space cosumed by gravel and decor, you probably only have about 22-23 gallons of water in the tank.