I picked up stuff to test for nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia. I would like to test my tank to see if it is fully cycled but don't quite understand the difference between the two and see when to use which and what they mean. If someone could break this down for me it would be appreciated.
Testing
- Thread starter Catfish Keeper
- Start date
Ammonia is created by fish. The bacteria that live in your filter and gravel turn ammonia into nitrite. Both are harmful to fish. Then that bacteria turns nitrite into nitrate. Nitrate can only be removed by water changes. Nitrate is okay for fish, but becomes stressful above 40. If you are fully cycled, you will have no ammonia or nitrite, and you'll show nitrate.
You will feel less stressed if you remember the following:
If your nitrites are undetectable and your nitrates are robust (say, >40 ppm), your tank is almost certainly cycled and the nitrogen cycle within your filter is almost certainly functioning properly regardless of what your ammonia readings are. The reason for this is because it is common for chloramines to give you a false positive with many ammonia test kits, after you have reacted them with dechlorinating agents. So, if your fish appear to be eating and swimming as you would expect, you can essentially disregard the ammonia readings as long as nitrites = 0 and you're getting a strong nitrate reading. To be honest, I don't even bother testing for ammonia anymore.
If your nitrites are undetectable and your nitrates are robust (say, >40 ppm), your tank is almost certainly cycled and the nitrogen cycle within your filter is almost certainly functioning properly regardless of what your ammonia readings are. The reason for this is because it is common for chloramines to give you a false positive with many ammonia test kits, after you have reacted them with dechlorinating agents. So, if your fish appear to be eating and swimming as you would expect, you can essentially disregard the ammonia readings as long as nitrites = 0 and you're getting a strong nitrate reading. To be honest, I don't even bother testing for ammonia anymore.
