water test and ammonia

[tameem]

I have my new 50 gallon tank all setup for a week now, with no fish.
I'm checking my water each day just to see what the water chemistry is like, and why am I seeing .25 -.50 ppm of ammonia?

Im using the API water test and I know that I have chloramine in our tap water, and most water conditioners will neutralize the chlorine, but release ammonia. I started using the Amquel +, which is supposed to neutralize the ammona levels so it's not toxic, but should I be getting these kinds of readings of ammonia?
I haven't started to cyle my tank because Im not 100% sure of the process, even after reading two books.

Thanks.

 

[punkrockfish]

cycling your tank is pretty easy if you have the test kit. there is a member on here, missfishy, who has a website link in her signature on how to cycle. if you haven't seen it, check it out, breaks it all down for you. an ammonia reading that small isn't a concern.

 

[rmarrandino1]

You can go the Bio-Spira route. I used that on both my tanks. No need to cycle. Throw in the Bio-Spira and add the fish. Worked like a charm.

Just put the Bio-Spira in first and let the tank cycle for a few hours.