Is my cycle just starting?

[drue]

I filled my used 55g tank on April 18th, and dropped in a half dozen zebras on the 19th. Yesterday (23rd) I did a water test and then a PWC. My question is how to interpret the results of my water test:

* PH: 8.4
* NH3: 0.5ppm
* NO2: 0.0ppm
* NO3: 0.0ppm

My guess is that the cycle is just starting, and I'm just starting to see ammonia? As I understand it, an established tank usually shows some NO3?

Also, what's with my PH?

TIA,
dan

 

[Zagz]

Yes your cycle appears to be just starting. As you have fish in there you will need to keep your ammonia & nitrite down to as close to 0ppm as possible for the fish's sake. Test your ph out of the tap so you know what your house ph is. A steady ph is better than a variating one. Your ph may not be completely accurate until your cycle is done. I personally don't test for ph or nitrates until after the nitrite spikes.