Water test results

Question
Hi, I have set up a 55 gal. tank about 2 weeks ago.I have about 10  or 12 fish small fish. I purchased a master test kit. I would like to know what you consider the safe levels for nitrite and nitrate, and the best way to keep them consistent. Also the ph? The ammonia is fine. I match the color of the test water to the test card color strip. I see the reading but I'm not sure what is really safe or not. Please inform me of what range's you think are safe. Thank you, Ben

Answer
Hi Ben;

The charts that come with your kit should give you an idea of how toxic ammonia and nitrite are at what levels. They are both stressful at anything over .5 ppm. At over 1 ppm they can become lethal. Your tank is still going through the break-in period so you will see ammonia levels come up soon. After a couple of weeks of the ammonia being up, you will see nitrites come up and the ammonia will slowly go down. You will have to make some partial water changes to help the fish get through it if they rise too high. The break-in takes 6 to 8 weeks once you put the first fish in the tank. Once the ammonia and nitrites are at "Zero" you will know it's all done.

Here are a few links to web pages about the break-in period (Sometimes called "New Tank Syndrome" or "Cycling")to help you through;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/bcycling.htm

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins