Fish In Cycle.

[libbyloo]

Hi guys,

I posted for the first time at the weekend. Cut a long story short, I am new to the hobby wasn't made aware of the fish less cycle, was advised to buy tetra safestart, to get some bacteria and my fish would be fine.

My water results are below...

Last Thursday-

ph - 7.6
Ammonia - 0.50
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 40ppm

Friday.

Ammonia-0.50
Nitrite- 0
(Added 6 cherry barbs as per my lfs recommendation)

Saturday

Ammonia- 0.50
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 40 ppm

I then came on the site for advice as i read into the nitrogen cycle more, saturday i done 50% water change to get the ammonia down ( i know now i should have done this prior to putting the fish in )

After doing the water change. Then ammonia went down to 0.25 saturday night.

Sunday - ammonia 0.00 and nitrite 0.00.
Monday. ammonia 0.00 and nitrite 0.00
Tuesday. ammonia 0.00 and nitrite 0.00. Nitrate 0.40



I apologise for my lack of knowledge but just wondering what is happening, haven't recorded any nitrite yet

my cherry barbs look very happy (3 males and 3 females), plants are growing so much each day. Feed the fish small amount each day enough to be gone in 2 minutes

Sorry forgot to mention the tank. 125 jewel rio.

 

[libbyloo]

Have just done my tests. I use the api master kit. Silly question, when viewing the test tube against the colour chart should this be done in natural light? Or under a artificial house hold light?

At the moment i do it against natural light coming in from the window,

Ammonia - 0.00
nitrite - 0.00
Nitrate- 10 ppm in natural light, 40 ppm under artificial light from my room

 

[fluttermoth]

Always try to read tests under natural light.

 

[libbyloo]

Always try to read tests under natural light.

Thats what I thought, but just needed some clarification. Thanks

Always try to read tests under natural light.

Are you able to give me some expert advice on my water readings?

 

[daizeUK]

Ideally you should take readings in diffuse (not direct) natural light.
The chances are that you may not see any nitrite for a few weeks yet - the cycle takes time to start building up bacteria.

 

[cturner14]