Nitrate At 20 - 40 But Ammonia At 0.25?

[serbusfish]

After around a month of cycling I finally started getting a Nitrate reading last night, somewhere between 20 - 40 (hard to tell which as the colour chart was difficult to read). However I am still getting an ammonia reading of 0.25, which confuses me, I thought nitrate shows up after ammonia and nitrite have gone to 0?

 

[leighton_87]

Is this a fish-in cycle or a fishless cycle - if you are doing a fishless cycle are you adding ammonia. Either way if there is a source of ammonia it is possible that the filter has broken down an amount of it turning it to nitrite then nitrate but hasn't processed all of it.

Another possibility is if you are using the API water test kit the yellow at zero is never as yellow as the colour on the card, although once you have done a few tests there is definite difference between the green of the 0.25 and the dark yellow of the 0. I've found the best way to spot this is look through the bottom of the test tube - this makes the colour darker than normal but makes it easier to spot yellow vs green.

 

[Getthejist]

You can still get an ammonia reading if you have nitrates. This just means your tank isn't completely cycled.

 

[Chad]

You can still get an ammonia reading if you have nitrates. This just means your tank isn't completely cycled.

This and it can also mean there is more ammonia in the tank than the bacteria can process completely. This can be caused by a need for more cycling or by too many fish/overfeeding.

 

[serbusfish]

Its a fish in cycle. Ive been using the Tetra test kit but it just ran out today so ive ordered an API kit. I did add 4 more fish on Friday so I guess that might explain it. But does the nitrate reading mean im close to being cycled?

 

[Chad]

Yes, the 4 more fish does explain it, at least to in my mind. Extra ammonia is actually what you would expect since you have increased the bioload. It will take the bacteria a little while to respond to the extra ammonia but they will by multiplying and that will take care of the issue. Until then it's a good idea to do more frequent water changes than you have been.

 

[serbusfish]

Yes, the 4 more fish does explain it, at least to in my mind. Extra ammonia is actually what you would expect since you have increased the bioload. It will take the bacteria a little while to respond to the extra ammonia but they will by multiplying and that will take care of the issue. Until then it's a good idea to do more frequent water changes than you have been.

Unfortunately im at work tomorrow so wont be able to do any water changes until Thursday, so I really hope it doesnt go any higher than it is atm.

I should get my API kit in the post tomorrow fingers crossed, I will test before work, if its gotten worse i'll either ask my dad to do a water change whilst im out or i'll buy some API Quick Start which should drop the Ammonia til I can do a water change.

 

[Chad]

Even a small water change would help if you could manage a pitcher-full here and there.

 

[serbusfish]

Even a small water change would help if you could manage a pitcher-full here and there.

I think im going to get up an hour earlier than normal and do a 25% water change, better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Chad]

That's what I would do too. I'm that way.