Hey guys its me!
I have been cycling for approx. five weeks now and I'm still at the same stage! Ammonia levels just above 0 but nothing else seems to be moving?
I have been doing water changes every other day because of the ammonia and adding beneficial bacteria. Anyone have any advice about what more I can do or is it just a waiting game? Am I doing anything wrong?
Here's a picture to show you what it has looked like for the last 5 weeks! 
Sorry if I'm getting annoying because if posted about my ammonia worries before and got told it takes a while to cycle, just wondering though because I haven't even moved into a stage yet... ?

If those were my levels after 5 weeks I'd call it cycled.

yep, you are looking good

Hmmmm that ammonia..... Is it still showing 0.25ppm? Because that's what it looks like from here...

I've been having mixed feelings about the ammonia test from API, mine has ALWAYS shown a hint of green. Apart from when I first set up the new tank, that is the only time, I have ever seen the darn thing yellow.
I would say keep up with the water changes, maybe cut down on them a little, to twice a week, if you have nitrates showing and no nitrites. But you really want to get the ammonia to 0ppm.

I'm still on my water change marathon and might even resort to getting a second ammonia test kit from another brand, because it annoys me that it is consistently there, I used to often wonder if its something wrong with the test, but obviously it works because it showed up as yellow/0ppm when I first set up the tank.

Hmmm I'm just speaking from experience cdale, after that ammonia poisoning scare and my moment of 'oh crap the test was right this entire time' I wouldn't want the same thing to happen to you hun.

Have you been cleaning the filter? I'm beginning to suspect my un-cleaned external filter is the reason for my annoying level of ammonia, so I intend to clean it this week, just to make sure there's no debris or anything!

every time you feed your fishies you are adding ammonia, every time they pooh they add ammonia...keep an eye on it and if it starts to rise despite weekly water changes then you need to take action...i usually do a mid-week gravel clean in addition to the normal water change at the week-end

what's your filtration to tank size ratio?

that's a tad under-filtered, but is reasonable. As long as your fish are happy, keep doing what you're doing

yes, it should be OK. Try cutting back the water changes to twice a week, and see how you go from there.

he seems a bit brighter today thanks. Put him back in the big tank and the other ryukin kept cuddling up to him...really sweet

Aww ryukin cuddles sounds very cute Scrivens!

Sounds like you know what to do now Cdale My ammonia test yesterday was almost yellow, at a glance it was yellow-ish, but when checking properly I became convinced there was a hint of green to it. So I ended up doing a water change yesterday anyway just in case, will see what it's doing tomorrow.

I'm sure Carlos will be fine hun, you've been doing plenty of water changes. Even Lucky (who has been through a lot) is acting much better, although she does still gasp, it doesn't seem to be as frequently as it was before So slowly getting there!

Might try and do some digging about the ammonia test itself, OH!!! I just remembered something.
Have you tried soaking your test tube and cap in some warm water, completely drying it out and testing it then?
I have heard of people getting mis-readings when their test tubes aren't completely cleaned properly after tests, so residues from previous testing can mess it up.

Just soak the test tube in a bowl of warm water for about 20 minutes, then gently dry it out with a kitchen towel.

It didn't work for me, but it might work for you

I have the API Freshwater Master Test Kit  
I've had no issues with any of the other tests, just the ammonia.

While I do have concern it's the test... I can't help but consider that it was 0ppm when the tank was first set up, it was the most yellow I had ever seen it, I think I just need to be patient and keep at it.
It has to get back to being at yellow at some point, I mean I have ONE goldfish, in a 90 litre tank, with around 1600 lph filtration -it's probably lower than this as filters often do less than the stated amount (the number given is the best possible outcome) because they are usually tested without media and things in them, so when media is added it will be less- this is between two filters and 3 water changes each week, there is no way on earth, that ammonia can stick around this time. At least I sure hope not

It has only been 5 weeks, cycling can take up to 8 weeks, so maybe keep at it for a while?
This tank has been cycling since the end of January so I'm almost at the 8 week mark myself. I think if it goes beyond that and I still have issues, then I'll begin blaming the test again

Ah good tip Cheri, that hadn't occurred to me
I find myself getting paranoid about the ammonia test these days, I sometimes wonder if me staring at it, maybe I just convince myself it's green? It definitely looks green when I'm not holding it up to anything.... One person mentioned to me that they check their water tests in the bathroom because it's the whitest room in the house due to the tiles, perhaps another idea to try as well!

I know, kidding myself the test was wrong (because of the testing at the pet store), was what got poor Lucky sick in the first place
I only hope she doesn't have any permanent damage

Carlos should be okay, his only been in it for a few weeks, whereas Lucky is more like a few months, because of the iffy water quality in the smaller tank. But hopefully she'll be okay Only time will tell with her, I just hope it's nothing serious!