water test update

[jeff6898]

Update on water testing. Seachum Ammonia alert still in safe zone. I did test it and it does work.


First time I ever had a reading on nitrites. Does this mean I am finally cycling?


Ammonia looks darker in picture it is between 0.5 and 1.0

 

[Aiken Drum]

Testing positive for nitrites shows you are starting to grow nitrosomonas bacteria which consume ammonia and produce nitrites. When you also start seeing nitrates thats a sign you also have nitrobacter bacteria that consumes nitrites and produces nitrates. Nitrates are removed through water changes, and plants will take up some if it also.

Continue to test daily, if you get detectable ammonia or nitrites do 25% water change. When you are consistently getting 0ppm ammonia and nitrites after 24 hours and your nitrates are rising, then your aquarium is cycled sufficiently for the fish you have in there. If the plan is to add more fish, this is the time to do it.