How to use aquarium water tests
3,655 views · Published 26 January 2014 · 5:49 · Indexed 6 October 2026
Channel: Everyday Aquarist · 2014 · Pets & Animals
How to know when your aquarium has cycled
During cycling your water should be tested everyday. You should be testing for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. As explained earlier one type of bacteria needs to be present before the next in the process will start to colonize. During the first week to two week you may experience cloudiness or "murkiness" within your aquarium, this is a bacterial bloom and is normal for this process. It will disappear eventually one the aquarium has cycled.
At the start there will be only ammonia then some ammonia and nitrite will be present then some ammonia, nitrite and nitrate will be present after a while the ammonia and nitrite will disappear from your test leaving only nitrate coming up positive.
When there is 0mg/l ammonia, 0mg/l nitrite and some mg/l nitrate your aquarium is cycled, and ready for you add fish. Remember, add your fish slowly; introducing around 25% of your intended total every two weeks is a good idea. This allows your aquarium bacteria to adjust between batches of fish and reduces the chances of disease and sickness for your fish.
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