More Fish-In Cycling Questions

[Mellis67]

Ok I know all about the process of cycling and what it is for but I still have some procedure questions. I have had some fish in the tank for about 2-3 weeks now and they appear to be very happy and adjusted. I have been religiously doing my water tests with Seachem Ammonia and Nitrite/Nitrate test kits as well as an API ph test kit. Every so often I confirm my results with my LFS. My readings have remained very low... The Seachem tests for both Free and Total Ammonia and my Free Ammonia has never even registered. My total ammonia has never reached over .1...usually around .02-.05 I do a water change about every other day. Should I let these levels get to .25 before I do my water changes to let the bacteria develop and have food? Should I keep up with these water changes as I have been? I haven't noticed any Nitrites yet and I haven't tested for Nitrates but once a week. Please let me know I don't want to set the cycle back by changing the water too often and if thats possible.. and I don't vacuum the gravel when cycling right?

 

[KittyKat]

There is no need to let ammonia rise to 0.25.

You seem to have the right idea going there.. and do keep in mind that responsible fish-in cycles (as you have there) do often take longer than a fishless cycle, so do expect it to take at least 6 weeks.

There should not be any problems with vacuuming the gravel. The only potential problem I can foresee (assuming you do not have an under-gravel filter) is that the majority of your bacteria may currently be in the gravel.. but if that is the case (there is no way of knowing) and you still want to remove the debris, then I would recommend vacuuming only 1/4-1/3 of the gravel per week.