when will the cycle be over?

[ryan]

i'd like to find out when for sure will the tanks nitrogen cycle be over?

i hear it is when the ammonia level is 0 and so is the nitrite level and the nitrate level goes up?

is this true?

and i also hear from some people that it takes at least 21 days? and others say 60 days?

to test for ammonia do i get a proper test kit or will the permanant ammonia tester by seachem do?

can i do with just the permanant ammonia tester which i already bought, a nitrite test ket which i'm gonna buy and a nitrate test kit which i have?

thanks guys!!!

[hongqixian]

The seachem ammonia probe (i'll assume you mean that one) lasts only 360++ days. Does it have coralline on it?

[hydra]

The seachem probe is pretty reliable. Just that it doesn't give the ppm readings. Wait for

the centre spot to be bright yellow, and u can be sure your ammonia is very low. Confirmed

that myself with test-kit.

[ryan]

The seachem ammonia probe (i'll assume you mean that one) lasts only 360++ days. Does it have coralline on it?

what coraline on it?

[ryan]

The seachem probe is pretty reliable. Just that it doesn't give the ppm readings. Wait for

the centre spot to be bright yellow, and u can be sure your ammonia is very low. Confirmed

that myself with test-kit.

yeah my test probe's centre spot is bright yellow...

so is it low?

[hydra]

Ammonia level is low. In the first place, did you introduce any ammonia into your system ? You

need to see the center spot changed from green to yellow, then you can be sure your

ammonia bacteria is working...you can add some prawn meat to kick start.

[ryan]

i added a small bit of fish meat...

its still there rotting in my tank...

ammonia still yellow...

[hydra]

Hi Ryan,

Try to bring up your ammonia level to make the spot green. Honestly, I did not use

decomposed meat.....but I am not advocating other method, as SPCA or others will not be too happy.

When ammonia is down, you should also see nitirite spike, continue to monitor till it is low. Your

cycling should be over. Hope this help.

[B|uEc@rpEt]

I dun think the seachem stick on is very accurate u koe?

Best if u can use test kits...seachem has one...i think its costs 20-25$

[ryan]

oh no that means the lfs i bought it from was wrong...

sigh...

they told me that was all i needed...

so i'm gonna have to get an ammonia tester and a nitrite tester?