Time Scale

[Helen Louise]

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

Helen

 

[Luke_e]

I dont have a good idea, but i'd just test every other day and see how it goes?

 

[ncjharris]

It'll take a little bit. Depends on the size of the tank, the amount of fish, your tap water quality. Quite a lot of things.

Check it every day after to add the fish, to make sure you don't miss anyting.

 

[gadazobe]

If your tank was cycled properly, you won't get a show of ammonia.

 

[sinistral]

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.