Adding Ammonia....

[AllenLeicester]

No offence mate, but how do i know? I havent been able to read any levels ?

How can i tell if its cycled?

Sorry Newbie!!

 

[Gremily]

Sorry it's just you said your tank had been "cycling", so I thought you knew.
Have a read of this :
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

 

[AllenLeicester]

I'm i best to just to wait to after holiday then start doing tests?and adding ammonia?

 

[Gremily]

Either start fishless cycling now and get someone to continue it while you're away, or wait till you get back as it'll take a few weeks.
It took me a while to find ammonia so keep a look out for it.

 

[AllenLeicester]

What test results am i really looking for , to make the cycle complete and ready for fish?

 

[Gremily]

You need to have enough bacteria to reduce the ammonia from 5/6ppm to 0 in about 12 hours, and if you follow the instructions from that thread there will also be enough bacteria to cope with the nitrite that will build up as ammonia is processed and turn it into nitrate which is less toxic and is removed through water changes.
I don't mean to be rude but if you just read the thread I linked you to previously it has almost all the info about fishless cycling you need.

 

[rdd1952]

Read the link in my signature or the one that Gremily gave you earlier on fishless cycling. It will explain everything pretty clearly. As mentioned, the amount of ammonia needed to raise the level to about 4 or 5 ppm depends on the concentration but as a general rule, 1ml will raise 5 gallon to 5 ppm. So for your tank, allowing for displacement of water by substrate and decorations, I would start with about 3 ml and see what that raises it to. You probably do want to wait until you get your test kit or at least to a couple days before so you will be able to monitor the progress.