It has been a little over a week now. Started testing recently and the ammonia is reading either 0 or .5...I can't tell because the darn colors look almost the same. The nitrates and nitrites are looking great.

Using used media, filter, gravel and decorations.

Would like to know if it's done so I can add a female betta to the tank. Right now I have two zebra mollies and that's it.

Oh and another question.

I am trying to think about what fish I want to complete my 47 gallon tank.

Here is what I am thinking.

2 zebra mollies
1 female betta
5 black tetras

I am thinking about adding 1 or two more zebra mollies because they are beautiful, but I don't want them to have babies.

How many more fish should I get so its not understocked, or overstocked? Do you recommend any that are could size and type to go with these?

i have a 44 gal and stock is
10 neon tetra
5 harley raspora
1 blue ram
1 bolivian ram
1 kribnesis
4 sterbia cory
3 zebra loach
2 SAE
1 sp. pleco

might have to pull the SAE when they grow up. people probably wouldnt recomend the kib and rams all together but they are best of mates.....

There is a sight called Aqadvisor or something and it is great to a stocking guide.

As for you original q, there is quite a difference in 0 to .5 ammonia, you shouldnt have many troubles determining the differance there. dont look at it and think yuou see 0 if it is zero it will be zero. What is you Nitrate and Nitrite? Have you read the instructions clearly for the nitrAte test? paticularly the shaking of bottle 2??

Using test strips, so results are just colors. Kinda hard to read on some.

Dude you gotta get rid of them. They are way off!!! Do yourself a massive favor (i spell favour...) and get the API master test kit. Honestly the strips are a waist of time and money. Everyone else (with experience) will 100% agree

I have looked into that and I think I am going to get it. Bad thing is I will have to wait for shipping because no one in town has it. So the strips is all I have for now.

i can appreciate that. However with out a definitive zero ammonia you have no idea if your cycle is done. As far as ammonia levels go 0-.5 is a huge difference!

I understand. Going to try a store tomorrow and if they don't have it I will buy it online.

You won't regret it. You'll probably find your PH comes down a bit....well not come down but test acuratly. Not that it really matters....

harveya how does your ram get along with your other smaller fish? no nipping or anything? they are a beautiful fish. Thinking about getting one.

I have 2 rams, a Bolivian and a German blue. The only problem if any is between the 2 rams. The blue is the boss and can chase the Bolivian at times. No nipping at all, just the odd chase around the tank. Oddly the krib was best mates with the Bolivian then I added the blue and now the krib is best mates with him....

The blue is a cool looking fish I have to admit! But it is the zebra loaches I like the most. The krib will eat from my hand...

A cycle with fish will usually take 6-8wks. Your cycle has just started.

Ben you need to read his other post.

Yeah.....why people start multiple threads having expected you to read and remembered them all is beyond me.

If all the stuff wasn't washed with tap water, his cycle may go quicker than normal. Otherwise, ......

This. There's no way your cycle is done. It just started. Ammonia's just starting to build up. The reason your nitrites and nitrates look good is cause that part of the cycle hasn't started yet. Give it two weeks, you'll see the nitrite spike.

Haven't had any ammonia for 3 days.

Your first post in this thread says you had 0-.5.

I meant the color looks like the 0 color but I can't tell for sure meaning I wasn't 100% sure it was 0.

I have been feeding every other day and now have 3 Dalmation Mollies and 4 Tetras.

If it wasn't cycled the readings would be above 0 or even .5 with all the waste and fish food, right?

You really need to explain that you brought the tank second hand and was established. The substrate remained wet, as did the filter.

Thought I did. Didn't know I did in another thread and not this one.