Question About My Ammonia Test Kit

seaera

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Hi there,
I've been cycling my tank since early January (unfortunately with two fish, white clouds, I didn't know any better at the time).
Anyhow, my ammonia test kit is kind of confusing.
Nitrites have always read at 0, but for the ammonia kit, the reading shows up at 3.7 right now. But there is also another chart that you gage that reading against the ph (which is 7.2). This gives me another number of 0.03 when I cross reference the two numbers and it shows it's in the green zone.

What does this mean? Which number is my actual ammonia reading? Is the ammonia level at a point where I should do a water change? I've been doing weekly water changes so far of about 20-25% but it's doesn't appear to be cycling yet as my nitrites have been at zero right from the beginning.

Thanks.
 
Hi,

I'm sorry that this is not going to be much help to you; I have basically the same problem. I'm guessing that you're using the test-tube kit with three bottles of chemicals??? Yes it is confusing. I work under the assumption that the first reading is the number that most people go by. The chart that you use to cross-reference indicates the amount of 'toxic' ammonia in the tank. Note that the higher your pH the more 'bad' ammonia is present.

In short, 'they' say that if the chart is in the green, then your fish will be OK. Personally I'd do a smallish water change every day (maybe 10% - 20%) and wait for the Nitrite/Nitrate test to show that something is happening. There's not much else you can do really.

Again, sorry this is no real help to you, except to say that at least your not on your own, and that I would welcome some useful advice as much as you!

Take care,

DocBanzai.

P.S. Sorry forgot to ask; Are you using any products like 'Cycle' or 'Stress Zyme'? These are suposed to help but I'm not convinced... Loads of people will no doubt suggest asking your LFS for a bit of mature filter media or old gravel, but I've yet to find a LFS that are that helpful!
 
If the Nitrites have "always been zero" then the cycle hasnt started at all !
What filter and substrate are you using (substrate is the gravel or sand)

The ammonia will climb, then drop off... at which point the nitrite will start to climb, when this falls nitrate will appear... by this point the ammonia should be near zero.
 
If the Nitrites have "always been zero" then the cycle hasnt started at all !
What filter and substrate are you using (substrate is the gravel or sand)

The ammonia will climb, then drop off... at which point the nitrite will start to climb, when this falls nitrate will appear... by this point the ammonia should be near zero.


I'm using an Aqua Tech 5/15 filter (hangs over the back of the tank) and my substrate is gravel.
Bummer....yes, it definitely looks like it hasn't cycled yet. I'll keep waiting...thanks for the info.

And to Doc...yes, I've been using the cycle product but obviously it's not working! :(
 
It looks like you are at the spot where I was. It took me 7 weeks before my ammonia went to zero, and my nitrites started going up. So hang in there. I would do at least 10% water changes everyday. I am not too familiar with your test kit as I use an API Fresh Water Master Test Kit. But ammonia or nitrite (when you start getting it) is toxic to the fish if the level is over .25 ppm, and should require an immediate water change if it gets up that high. As far as the Cycle or Stress Zyme goes, they really do not help at all at speeding up or helping a tank cycle. They are pretty much snake oil, but just continue to use it until it is gone (it wont harm anything). The only really proven product to work is Bio Spira, which cycles a tank in about a week as it is kept refrigerated and contains real live bacteria, unlike other products that claim they do.

Just keep up on the water changes, trying to keep the ammonia below .25 ppm. You have to be patient, your tank will cycle!

Best of luck!

-FHM
 

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