Help with Tank Cycle

[Rhys]

So I am about 3 weeks into my tank cycle.

I am slightly worried about 2 things.

There appears to be an oily film appearing on the water, which is worrying me. I am cycling with live plants in the tank, could this cause this? I am using a tank with an inbuilt filter (I bought it from a trader, not sure of it's flow rate, etc. Could this problem be related to the filter not pumping enough? Or will this filter not produce enough surface agitation for effective cycling? I am slightly worried that this may be compromising my cycle progress.

My second worry is that my process isn't following a generic cycle process. My ammonia is dropping quickly over a couple of days (from around 2ppm to well under 1). I am using the Master API test kit to test, but I am still concerned that I am either not reading them correctly (the color is sometimes hard to determine) or that something is not going correctly within the tank cycle. I am testing once every other day, but I am certain no Nitrite has begun to increase, but the Ammonia has definitely dropped significantly. Should I continue to dose it up to 2ppm or just allow it to drop? Most sites conflict with adding more until Nitrites have formed, so I am unsure as to which way to head with it.


Thanks.

 

[Nano]

What is your source of ammonia??

And you know when the cycle is complete when you're getting readings at 0ppm for nitrite and ammonia (nitrite will spike before dropping)

 

[Rhys]

Thanks for the response,

I'm currently using Dr Tims Ammonia drops

Okay, is there a way to check that my cycle has finished?

EDIT: As in a way to check if I've missed the spike in Nitrite

 

[Luca1980]

What is the temp of your tank? Cycling happens most efficiently when the temp is at 25 Celsius.

 

[Luca1980]

Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First! | Tropical Fish Forums

Try reading this, very helpful and easy to follow

 

[Rhys]

I've been using this guide already, but thanks for the response.

I have my temperature at 25/26 Celsius.

Is there a way to continuously monitor my Ammonia levels, such as a reader?