CYCLEN QUESTION

[bookie]

OK I BELIVE my tank is almost done cycling. can some one tell me what the readings should say

right now the stuff are

ammonia- 0
Nitrate- .25
Nitrite- 10

i dont think the nitrite is high enough

 

[cynthia]

Your ammonia should be zero, nitrite should be zero and your nitrate should be low.

The nitrite may go higher before it starts to go down.

 

[dev]

phase 1 of cycling is complete ammonia is 0, nitrite will rise now and then drop to 0. Just takes some time.

 

[bookie]

so when the cycling is done. ummm... what should the nitrate be. or what should it be under.

 

[cynthia]

bookie - I don't put anything in the tank until the nitrate reading is under 20 (but keep in mind I am anal about that sort of thing). Others have said that 40 isn't "that high".

It has been my experience that it usually only takes a few additional days for the nitrate to drop from 40 to like 15 or less. That is why I wait.

 

[dev]

bookie once ammonia and nitrite are 0 just do a water change the tank is cycled...

 

[cynthia]

Do not do a full water change. I don't think that is what dev meant to say but that is how it reads.

Change only 20% and test the nitrates if they are still high then change 10% more water.

 

[dev]

*bump yeah i figure he would have read the cycling how to