Tank cycling need some help on current Levels

[imfsub12]

Ok new test from yestuday..

PH = 8.1
Alkalinity = 4 (not sure why so low before it was 6)
Ammonia Free = 0.11
Total Ammonia = .4 (what does this give me??? compaired to ammonia free)
Nitrite = 0-0.1
Nitrate = 0

and

yes i need some help on this Seachem testing kit.. for the ammonia..

as there are Free and Total... what one should i be using when i run my tests.. (starting to cycle) and the round yellow disks for the test.. i just take one out and run inunder water then put it in my testing kit.. for amounted time.. then read value...

and once done put back in jar with the other ones and the jelly stuff? (not sure what that stuff is)

then instructions are really vague on some of the stuff..

thanks


:mrgreen:

 

[imfsub12]

here are my new samples for today but damm they are hard to read... the acuracy (i still have the shrimp in it looks SWEET - all the fuzz on it anyone want to cook it up would be great with little butter and garlic ummm :lol: )

Ammonia(NH3) .188 mg/L
Nitrite .003
Nitrate .2

i see that most books read ppm?? what is the diff

 

[imfsub12]

when should i do a water change some ppl say around .5 ammonia? is this right? about 25% but some ppl say don't bother... any input?

 

[brandon4291]

until it's stocked with life I think it's not a big deal, the small ammonia readings. If you haven't directly added too much food it ought to die down soon.

If you do a water change and it doesn't rebound, then the cycle is completing and eventually your system will shift to nitrate only. If you are registering too much ammonia upon cycling (mine never did and I was in small containers, where ammonia is far more concentrated) then check for anything rotting, big sponge networks on some of your live rock or live rock that hasn't cured well and is technically curing (having lr dieoff cycles) in an uncycled tank

 

[Anonymous]

1 milligram/liter is ppm, i think

use the total ammonia reading for your determinations-if for no other reason, it will always be the higher value, and force you to be more cautious