Tank cycling

I recently set up a QT and it has started cycling. I use the red sea test kits and to me they are very unclear. There are 3 shades of purple for nitrates and blue for zero. I have a shade of purple but cannot differentiate at what level it is at, either 2.5 up to 5.0. The same holds true with my Nitrites, 3 shades of blue. Zero is more of a blueish green. Anyway, I did a small water change a few days ago, to ease the suffering of the fish. I don't see that the fish appear too stressed but I would like to get some opinions on this. I have read that you can do small, regular water changes and you will not prolong the cycle. Should I keep up with the small water changes every couple of days? Thoughts?

 

My opinion is that having set up a QT and have fish in there already makes a big difference to water changing or not

in a fish less cycle - then doing water changes serves no purpose as there is nothing in the tank to suffer from the polutants

how big is the tank? and how many fish have you got in there?

are you treating the fish in the tank with any chemicals or is it set up to observe at present?

if its set up for observation there is a chance the fish will develop problems due to being in uncycled set up

I would consider using a chemical filter or additive to remove/ absord amonnia , Nitrite etc
something like Purigen will help to maintain water quality whilst they are being observed
obviously if your treating , then you dont have this option

Steve

 

The amount of water in the tank is around 5 to 6 gallons. I have a 6 line wrasse and a drac goby in there. They are there to be observed. I am reluctant to use a neutralizer as I want the tank to cycle and be a permanent QT. I may have possibly contaminated the tank with ICH the other day, so I may be treating these fish soon. I am keeping a watchful eye on them...:I