New tank cycling issues

BrandonParham · May 6, 2024

started up new 40 gallon breeder tank 3 weeks ago and have been dosing quick start beneficial bacteria. I have followed correct dosage per bottle instructions and 1.5 bottles into this cycle. Using API test kit

Filtration
Filter floss
Carbon
Chemi blue and Purigen
Bio rings

Protein skimmer

Week 3 test results
Ammonia: 5ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm

Week 4 today
Ammonia: color is between 0ppm - 0.25
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: color is just under 10ppm

Question
Has my tank completed the cycle and should I do water change to reduce the ammonia?

Garf · May 6, 2024

BrandonParham said:
Has my tank completed the cycle

Yes, looks ok. Don't worry about a little ammonia reading such as zero to 0.25ppm.

Magok · May 6, 2024

API tests always show a false positive (something between 0 and 0.25 like yours) for me in saltwater. Since you are 4 weeks into cycle I would dose some ammonia, write down the result and then monitor again in 24 hours to see how much has been reduced. If its zero API test will still show 0.25ppm.
You can also test freshly made saltwater and check the color and how close it is to the color of your tank result.

BrandonParham · May 6, 2024

Garf said:
Yes, looks ok. Don't worry about a little ammonia reading such as zero to 0.25ppm.

Awesome! So water change is not necessary?

BrandonParham · May 6, 2024

Magok said:
API tests always show a false positive (something between 0 and 0.25 like yours) for me in saltwater. Since you are 4 weeks into cycle I would dose some ammonia, write down the result and then monitor again in 24 hours to see how much has been reduced. If its zero API test will still show 0.25ppm.
You can also test freshly made saltwater and check the color and how close it is to the color of your tank result.

Thank you for sharing and will consider