cycle question...(zzz)

[BHead707]

I have had my tank for over a month now..Doing a fish in cycle. i had the nitrite spike phase of the cycle start about a week and a half ago. today i tested my water and i had
~.25ppm ammonia
0ppm nitrite(been 0 for past 2 days w/o pwc's)
20ppm nitrate

i believe my cycle is over but i have never really had 0ppm of ammonia ever before. could someone tell me why? I think it has to do with not being a fishless cycle, cause even if i don't do pwc's it doesnt go above .25ppm.

 

[librarygirl]

YOur tank could be cycled. It's very hard to distinguish between 0 and .25 on the ammonia test. The test tube can look yellow but if you hold it up against the card it can look like .25. To be sure, test some spring water or distilled water (which should have 0 ammonia) and hold it next to your tank water ammonia test and see if there's a difference. Also don't let nitrate get any higher than 20; regular water changes should keep those down.