Magic Cycling Tank?

[ers81239]

I have a question about cycling my very first fish tank. Its a 40g and has had 5 Platys in it for a week as well as Hornwort and Java Fern. I bought some test strips which it turned out tested for most everything EXCEPT ammonia. I figured I would just do lots of water changes and wait for the Nitrite to spike. Well, I kept getting 0 on Nitrite and Nitrate, and I did 20% water changes nearly everyday, hoping the ammonia wasn't too high. Last night I tested positive with about 20ppm Nitrate. That didn't seem right so I made the trip (40 minutes or so) to buy an ammonia test kit. I've tested it every 12 hours now and get 0ppm every time.

Is it possible that the cycle is complete somehow? Are the plants affecting the cycle? Can I add more fish?

Thanks!

 

[stang1]

You're best bet is to buy a liquid test kit as test strips are not very reliable. You can buy a master test kit which allows you to test for ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and ph.

 

[The-Wolf]

you have to remember that nitrAtes (NO3) can come directly out of your tap, so it is possible to get a NO3 reading with out have first had ammonia or nitItes (NO2)

 

[ers81239]

you have to remember that nitrAtes (NO3) can come directly out of your tap, so it is possible to get a NO3 reading with out have first had ammonia or nitItes (NO2)

I forgot to mention a couple of things I guess. I have been testing the Nitrates and Nitrites twice a day just because I'm curious to watch the process. I have been getting zeros on both. Next trip to the store I will pick up the dropper tests for Nitrite and Nitrate so I can be more sure of my readings.

Tonight I noticed that my white cottony filter material is all brown as well as the 'ramp' exit from my penguin bio wheel. Maybe that is my bacteria? It also occured to me that maybe I got a jump start on bacteria that came on the plants?

The platy's seem happy as clams, so that is what is important. I've ordered some brighter lights for the plants, although now they seem to being doing fine with only .70wpg. The new lights will take me up to 2wpg.

One of my hornworts is floating around the tank. The fish seem to love to play in it, so maybe I will just let that one float.