Is My Tank Cycled?

[GGss6]

I have a 5 gallon tank with 2 guppies in it.  I've had it for a few months.  I bought this thing to test the water constantly for ammonia. (http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11147371&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo) When I first got it, the reading was up and down.  It went way up then dropped to safe.  It has been there ever since, and I think it might be finished cycling.  It seems pretty reliable.  
 
Thanks in advance,
GGss6

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Do you know your exact readings? Also have you tested for nitrite or nitrate? Just testing for ammonia alone isn't enough because the nitrite is likely to have spikes which could effect the fish (if you put more in there thinking it's cycled).

 

[Supraman]

I have one of those, it is very accurate in my tank, but I would not use this as a way of justifying if you are cycled or not.

 

[GGss6]

It isn't very precise but it is yellow meaning safe.  I will get a liquid test kit.  How do I know when my tank is fully cycled?

 

[This Old Spouse]

How often and how much do you change the water, and what kind of dechlorinator are you using?

 

[kad191]

I have one of these in my tank but I still test with a liquid api kit once a week. It's more of an early warning as I'm walking past the tank.

 

[GGss6]

I do still do a 25% water change every day because I am not sure if it is cycled or not.  I do not use a dechlorinator as I do not have chlorine in my water.

 

[TekFish]

No chlorine? You sure? That's pretty odd...
 
Tek oot.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Even well water sometimes has trace minerals that aren't good for fish. Using Seachem Prime (the best IMO) will neutralize a lot of them.

 

[Supraman]

I would still add prime as mentioned before

 

[Blondielovesfish]

 How do I know when my tank is fully cycled?

Your tank will be fully cycled when you have no nitrite or ammonia. The whole cycling process is to build up the good bacteria that changes ammonia to nitrite and then nitrite to nitrate.
If you add around 5ppm of ammonia and within around 24 hours there is no ammonia or nitrite then your tank is cycled!

Oh wait your doing a fish in cycle. Sorry I didn't realise that.
I think with a fish in cycle it's just when there is no ammonia or nitrite.

 

[This Old Spouse]

You should invest in a liquid test kit such as API, Nutrafin, Salifert or Seachem. They include tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. 
 
Before your tank is fully cycled, you should be doing daily water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrite down. You can read up on the fish-in cycle by clicking on the link in my sig below.