My tank is on it's way...

[Everlasting]

My ammonia has dropped to 0, my Nitrites have spiked to 5, and my nitrates are going up and currently sitting at 10 woohoo I think I'm getting somewhere! So within the next week or 2 I should see increased Nitrates, and decreased Nitrites right?

 

[Zagz]

Yes you should. You are still adding an ammonia source right?

 

[mike47517]

yes your right. but Zagz is right in asking you if you are still adding an ammonia source? something like alittle fish food or something.

 

[Everlasting]

Yup I am

 

[mike47517]

oh ok then your all good

 

[Everlasting]

Yesterday ammonia, nitrates and nitrites all tested zero. So i did a 50% water change and now....i'm done? Am i safe for fish now? And my one fake silk plant has some brown colouration on it's leaves...I think I read somewhere nitrate/nitrite poisoning can leave fish with brown fins, so is this colouring on the plant from when those levels were high? Or is it something else entirely?

 

[Jnam]

may be algea, or a diatom bloom sometimes happens right after you cycle is complete. As long as you are getting a 0 on the test. Are you using strips or liquids to test?

 

[bluerose]

For a FW tank you should have nitrates if you're adding an ammonia source (unless you've been doing significant PWCs). Generally I think the 'guideline' is to see around 10ppm nitrates to confirm your tank 'cycled'-- as a lot of tap waters will have a few ppm of nitrates.

A silk plant, not being living, wouldn't get poisoning (the dark fins you're talking about)... likely algae.