weird cycling. suggestion required.

Hi Everyone,

I did few successful tanks in the past 1 year. 20 gallons, two 3 gallons pico, and 60 gallons and most of them cycle complete within 4 weeks without any problem.

I try to prepare a 5 gallon for my friend recently. 4 lbs live rock, 5 lbs live sand, around 4 gallon water from LFS. Light cycle for around 8-12 hrs per day.
I added 2 piece of dead brine shrimp since day one. and the ammonia test result as following

1 week after - 0.50ppm
2 week after - 0.25ppm
3 week after - 0.25ppm <-- 1gallon water change
4 week after - 0.25ppm
5 week after - 0.25ppm


I didn't test Nitrite and Nitrate until now (5th week) and they both read 0ppm

all my other tanks read 0 ammonia beside this 5 gallon new tank. Anyone has any idea why? is the cycle complete yet? If yes, is that safe to add fish for 0.25ppm ammonia?

Should i do more than 20% water change and try to bring down the ammonia? if mass water change like over 50%, is that going to tricker the cycle start all over?

Please advice.

Thanks

 

sounds more like a bad test kit. are you using and api test kit by any chance?

 

Yes, I use API
Amazon.com: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater Liquid Master Test Kit: Kitchen & Dining

But I don't think my test kit are bad. Since my 60 gallon tank did get 0ppm ammonia

if API is a not good, another suggestion?

Thanks

 

You'll hear Salifert.

 

^^ What he said.
Lil pricey compare to others, but you get what you pay for.

 

I dont think its a bad test kit either, its just the api color chart is a tad tricky to read at times, depending on your water chemistry (say you have a lot of organics floating in your system, the test will show more green, so you may think you have ammonia when you actually dont.)

BTw, is your 60g a freshwater tank by any chance?