How long until first ammonia spike?

[mgx42]

Just started a fish-in cycle with 4 danios yesterday. They've been in a little over 24 hours with no ammonia readings thus far. I have one nubius nana plant in there and my temp. is 78 degrees. When can I expect to see the ammonia rise?

20 gallon tank
PH: 7.5
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: < 5

 

[librarygirl]

What size tank? What type of danio? If it's a smaller tank ammonia should rise fairly quickly, if it's larger it might take longer anywhere from a couple of days to a week, depending on tank size.

 

[mgx42]

What size tank? What type of danio? If it's a smaller tank ammonia should rise fairly quickly, if it's larger it might take longer anywhere from a couple of days to a week, depending on tank size.

20 Gallon Tank, and they're zebra danios.

 

[librarygirl]

Good, that's a good ratio of fish to size tank to start with. Just keep testing, it'll happen. You've probably seen this but here it is: I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?! - Aquarium Advice

 

[mgx42]

Thank you!

 

[tamtam]

yea, like librarygirl said you will prob see them in a little bit just keep testing daily to be sure.

Also what type of test are you using?

 

[mgx42]

yea, like librarygirl said you will prob see them in a little bit just keep testing daily to be sure.

Also what type of test are you using?

API master test kit (liquid)

 

[mgx42]

Update: The color of the ammonia test is not 100% yellow anymore (0.0ppm), but is still not green enough for that .25ppm area. So I would say its getting there but slowly. At what reading should I do a water change for the fish?

 

[tamtam]

you want to keep it under .5 ppm for sure but anything over .25ppm is said to cause stress on your fish so that's a great target.