Ammonia levels during FISH IN Cycle?

[jiffy]

After a long unsuccessful bout with a fishless cycle, I am now using 4 longfin zebra? dainos to cycle my tank. I was wondering what is the highest I should let the ammonia get before I do a waterchange to lower it so that the fish are as comfortable as I can make them while still allowing the cycle to continue?

 

[Underdog766]

I cycled a 30 gallon tank with 4 zebra danios (not the long finned variety). I changed the water once a week (15%). Keep in mind that if you change that the more you change the fish water the longer it takes to cycle. Thats what i've been told anyway...

 

[Bol]

I was wondering what is the highest I should let the ammonia get before I do a waterchange

That depends on your water's pH and temperature, among other things. A short generalization is, a given amount of ammonia is more toxic at higher pH levels, and higher temperatures.

This article may explain more, and the chart in the middle of this article is probably what you're looking for.

 

[jiffy]

underdog - i believe you are correct about the cycle taking longer, because you would be removing ammonia before the bacteria has a chance to convert it. That is why I posted this topic. I don't want to change it too much and lengthen the cycle, but I do not want to do it too little and hurt the fish.

bol - I actually was at thekrib.com earlier and had looked at that chart. I still posted because I wanted some more input instead of just trusting that one source. It was very informative though, I was not away that ammonia was so dependant on pH.

My pH is 7.8, and the temp is at 76 F, so I could probablybe at about .7 ppm max.

So, would I be right to say that I should keep the ammonia under .5ppm by doing the water changes?