Just starting

[griff]

Hi,

I've started up a fish only marine tank (65 litres) on january 22nd. I'm looking to add 2 Percula Clowns when the tank's cycled.
I've been checking the water regularly and have readings of :

Temperature - 26 degrees C
pH - 8.2
Alkalinity - Normal to High
Nitrite - 20-50 ppm
Nitrate - 0.5 ppm
Ammonia - 0.66 ppm

Is this all ok?

The readings haven't really changed over the last week. I did a water change (10%) 2 days ago and the readings were the same.

I haven't got any live rock. I'm using a fluvial 2+ filter.
When I first set up the tank I added Waterlife BioMature filtration maturation fluid which I was advised to do by my lfs until the nitrite level picked up. I've stopped using this and last week started using Waterlife's Bacterlife to try and speed up the nitrogen cycle.
I did a test today and find that the readings are the same as 2 days ago apart from the Nitrate levels seem to be increasing. There is no change to the ammonia (0.66 ppm) and the Nitrite (0.5 ppm).
For about the last week and a half I haven't added anything to increase the ammonia and did a 10% water change 4 days ago.
When reading my test kit, it's suggests in cases where ammonia levels are high to do a large water change 30-40% to reduce the levels.
Should I do this now to reduce the ammonia and nitrite readings?
Am I cycling my tank correctly as I was expecting the ammonia levels and nitrite levels to drop over time but nothing seems to happen. Why are the ammonia and nitrite remaining the same yet the nitrate increasing? I would expect them to decrease as they get broken down into nitrate?
Sorry for the long post and if I asking questions that have already been asked.
Thanks


Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Paidbychrist0825]

the ammonia and nitrite levels will drop, just give them more time. it cant take 4-6 weeks to finish cycling. You have been up 4 weeks and 1 day, so you are still doing fine for a cycle. the clowns will do nicely in a tank together, but introduce them at the same time, or some fighting may result.

no. let the cycle finish, the ammonia and nitrite will go down on their own.

[miztahphong]

paidbychrist is true about the ammonia and nitrate levels dropping in the next week o so but im not really sure about the clownfish. i had 1 clownfish in my tank and added another the next weekend. they seem to be swimming side by side and doing fine without and snapping at each other like my damsels do from time to time. :D

[ytsejam02]

Paidbychrist is not saying they will definitely fight, just that it's possible. This is definitely true. For best results do as he said and introduce them together, but as miztaphong said, it's certainly possible to introduce them separate, and for them to be best of pals.