[somewhatshocked]

That’s just it. It is a new tank (heavily planted with no fish) and I’m trying to gauge where I’m at in the cycle but since using the detoxifier the readings fluctuate I now have no idea. Since the original post I stopped using the detoxifier and my amonia is going back up (1.0 ppm) and nitrites are staying the same (0.25 ppm) and nitrates at staying the same at 20 ppm. Just trying find the best water recipe that I could consistently use to go forward but I don’t know how to use my tap water when it reads 1.0 amonia straight out of the tap. Again … thanks sooooo much for any guidance 💛💛💛

Note that if you're not treating your tap water, chlorine and chloramine can kill off most species of bacteria. So you are likely doing yourself a disservice on that front, unfortunately.

You'll know your tank is cycled when it can process a fixed amount of ammonia (usually 2-3 PPM but sometimes 4-5, depending upon what you plan to keep) in under 24 hours with no detectible nitrite.

 

[somewhatshocked]

Should I just scrap the tap and dechlorination and go down the other rabbit hole for PH ?

Chasing pH is not a good idea in your case. Hardness and osmotic pressure (think kH and gH) are more important in this instance. Most of us tend to ignore pH entirely unless we're trying to gauge CO2 saturation.

What are your actual water parameters - including kH and gH?

Remineralization becomes simple and second nature after mixing up water change water a couple times. If you're using RO/DI water that you buy right now? That also requires remineralization. But knowing more about your water parameters would be the only way to determine whether your tap water will work for you.

 

[somewhatshocked]

OK Doctor … here are the current bloodwork results:

1.0 ppm amonia
0.25 ppm nitrite
10-20 ppm nitrate
2 dkh KH
5 dkh GH
7.6 PH

Diagnosis ? 😎
Thanks again for your time

I'd just focus on getting your tank cycled. This is a good primer on the fishless cycle. Though, I'd probably cycle at 2-3 PPM ammonia, which you'll have to add on a regular basis to maintain concentration. Once nitrites disappear and your tank can process a full 2-3 PPM of ammonia in a 24-hour period, you're "cycled" and can do a 100% water change and add your livestock.