Is my tank safe?

[Tjkj]

I’ve had a 55 gallon set up for 3 weeks now with seeded media. There are 8 small fish in the tank from my previous set up all of them between 1-2 inches in size. The tank has had a constant ammonia level of 0.25. It never goes up and never goes down just at a constant 0.25 this has confused me because I would think if the media hasn’t worked it would be going up and up but it doesn’t it just stays at that constant level. There are no nitrites in the water either. Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[CrackerboxPalace]

The API ammonia test can often give a false 0.25 when there' actually closer to zero ammonia. By now the bacteria would've consumed the ammonia, considering there's only eight 1-2 inch fish.

 

[Tjkj]

The API ammonia test can often give a false 0.25 when there' actually closer to zero ammonia. By now the bacteria would've consumed the ammonia, considering there's only eight 1-2 inch fish.

Okay thank you I use the API master kit so hopefully it is just a false positive. A little bit frustrating though but as long as my fish aren’t gonna die lol. Thanks for your help.

 

[idk]

I find the API test so difficult to tell between the different ammonia levels - especially the lower ones if it makes you feel any better!

If you've recently done a water change and your water has a bit of ammonia in it and used conditioner like prime which binds to ammonia, it will still give you ammonia readings but it'll actually be ammonium which is practically harmless to fish. Since its constant and doesn't change it should be a false reading. I'm sure your fish would start to show signs if they're unhappy! If you're uncertain about your tank being cycled you can always test for nitrates. Majority of cycled tanks will have a nitrate reading. It might be really low though if you've got a heavily planted tank with your small fish and/or do water changes often.

 

[Tjkj]

I find the API test so difficult to tell between the different ammonia levels - especially the lower ones if it makes you feel any better!

If you've recently done a water change and your water has a bit of ammonia in it and used conditioner like prime which binds to ammonia, it will still give you ammonia readings but it'll actually be ammonium which is practically harmless to fish. Since its constant and doesn't change it should be a false reading. I'm sure your fish would start to show signs if they're unhappy! If you're uncertain about your tank being cycled you can always test for nitrates. Majority of cycled tanks will have a nitrate reading. It might be really low though if you've got a heavily planted tank with your small fish and/or do water changes often.

Yeah the lower levels are hard. And yeah I’ve tested for nitrates and they are very low the tank is quire heavily planted though and I’m doing water changes once to twice a week and dosing with prime. I just wanted to check on the safety of the tank as I have a fish order arriving tomorrow. But as it has been consistently 0.25 for the 3 weeks it’s been up I would assume it’s just a false reading as it hasn’t risen and all is good. Thanks for the help.

 

[Azedenkae]

As per everyone else, given it's a consistent 0.25ppm ammonia reading that neither goes up nor down, you should be fine.

 

[Tjkj]

As per everyone else, given it's a consistent 0.25ppm ammonia reading that neither goes up nor down, you should be fine.

Okay thank you. Quite an expensive set of fish so just wanted to make sure it’s all okay for their arrival I appreciate everyone’s help