Time Scale

Helen Louise

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How long between adding fish to a aquarium & the ammonia levels rising? should I start testing the day after adding them?

Helen
 
In addition to what everybody else said, a lot depends on the size of your tank and how many fish you've added.

Measurable levels of ammonia will occur more quickly if you have a small tank (smaller volume dilutes ammonia less than a larger volume). Similarly, they'll occur more quickly if you've added more fish (more fish produce more ammonia).

If you think of it in terms of a concentration problem (density = mass/volume, so concentration of ammonia is proportionate to total number of ammonia producers [otherwise called fish] / volume of tank) it's easier to visualize.

Since everybody has a different set up, it is safest to test the next day after adding fish, and each day after that.

However, the best and safest way to cycle a tank is by cycling fishlessly.
 

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