Cycling, high parameters...?

xslinds

A little background - I had a betta in my 10 gallon, but after I stupidly changed the filter it started to cycle over again and caused tail rot...so I moved my fish to my boyfriends tank. I stuck a cocktail shrimp in to cycle it over again (that's how I did the first time and it worked fine) and that was a good month ago, not sure exactly when. I haven't done water changes, only added some as it evaporates. The temperature stays at 80F. The filter is Top Fin for a 10 gallon. I haven't used any chemicals except stress coat with added water.

Anyway, I thought I understood how this works but I have very high ammonia, around 6.0. Nitrite test is purple, I'd say 4.0, and nitrate looks to be about 20 ppm using the api liquid test kit. I thought ammonia would've dropped by now? I'm completely confused. Do I just keep waiting until ammonia and nitrite drop to 0, or is there something I need to do?

Flashygrrl

Try a 25% water change a day...

xslinds

ok I changed 25%, so how much lower should I try to get them with water changes?

okiemavis

The ammonia and nitrites should be at 0 before the tank is fully cycled. The nitrates should be below 40ppm.