My Tank is Crystal Clear..

Question
Hello Karen,
How are you? I hope God is watching over you, keeping you healthy and safe always.. As for myself, I am doing great! my tank (33L) is Crystal Clear! just as you said it would be..MUST HAVE PATIENCE!!!and plenty of 30-50% water changes..Right? Thank You..
The question I have for you is, how come my Nitrite and Nitrate and PH(7.0-7.5) is always perfect! I understand why my Ammonia can never be 0ppm. because I have a over 10 fish in my Aquarium, all tpes of tetras(neons,black,Penguin,head&tail) along with 2 Corys and a High Fin Pleco. So what I'm figuring is there has to be some level of Ammonia at all times, around (.05-2.0)don't you agree?
Karen, please advise me on this, I put alot of hard work into getting my water in this condition, I don't want any surprises, so if you could, let know what to expect in the next few weeks, my tank now is 14 days old..
                            Respectfully, Tony L

Answer
Hi Tony!
Actually, all established aquariums should have no trace of ammonia. Of course this indicates that your aquarium is still in the cycling process and needs time to get established. Ammonia or nitrite even in trace amounts can be considered very harmful for all fish and other aquatic creatures. I would a 30-50% water change if you notice any stress signs in your little fish. It sounds like you've just begun with cycling! You're getting there though. First ammonia will rise (hopefully you'll never get a spike--I believe if you were, it would have already happened) anyway, and fall a bit while nitrite would climb somewhat...Later those two other levels will decline and nitrate will begin to rise. When your ammonia and nitrite levels have fallen to zero and nitrate is on the rise your aquarium has cycled!

There really shouldn't be any ammonia in an established aquarium ever as the beneficial bacteria instantly remove it and convert it over to less harmful compounds.

Well, you are doing everything right. Keep up with the water tests and water changes and soon you're aquarium will be cycled and there won't be the worry of testing constantly and making those big water changes.

Once your aquarium is established there is little worry and trouble to it as long as you continue to be considerate of it-- (by that I mean don't overstock, don't add a lot of chemicals besides water conditioner or unless the fish are ill, keep up with weekly/twice weekly water changes, don't add a fish that grows too large, and basically be sure to read and research before you do anything really different to it that you are unsure of--like adding a new fish species) I'm sure you already know these things of course! ;-)

Well, I hope this helps you out a little!
Feel free to write about anymore concerns you may have...

~May God bless you also~ Take care,
Best wishes and Happy fishkeeping!
Karen~