3 weeks cycling and my ammonia is at 0.25, nittrites at 0.05, and nitrates at 5.0/25 (high range. im testing with red-sea marine lab testing kits so im sure im getting accurate readings but im wondering why my ammonia has been the same for the entire three weeks. it never shot up and came down? also why my nitrites are lower than my nitrates if my ammonia hasnt settled yet? also i have some sort of thin brown film covering my rocks. but none on the sand pics attatched

How much rock, what sized tank, where'd you get the rock from, was it cured, etc. etc. etc. etc.?

it was precured. about 25 pounds of it and its a 24gal AP

Well precured rock will cycle faster. Your haing the algae as part of a mini cycle i would think. I am not sure why your ammonia has not went back down yet. Could be that it was not totally cured before.. Not sure.

You could likely add a small CUC to deal with the algae if you wish but main thing is just stay patient and let it cycle .. each tank is different yours longer than others possibly.

Red sea test kits are not notable for their accuracy. I'm not sure where you read that. API, Salifert, Elos, and Lamotte are more accurate choices.

The brown film is likely harmless diatoms.

What is your water source?

RO water.

Just tested my waters with API kits and my cycle has ended. Three long weeks. I proceeded with adding 2 astraea snails, and six blue legged hermits!!

Another case of Bad Test Kit Syndrome (BTKS) lol

API or RED SEA? which are you referring to?

I experienced the same problem with the Red Sea test kit, where my ammonia held at 0.25 no matter what. Finally got accurate numbers once I switched to API.

Congrats on starting your CUC!

The Red Sea this usuall happens with people who want to skimp out on testin and then they end up with 3 week cycles. Though im not saying this is what you did

no so sure what the last reply is referring to but i was lucky with good pre-cured rock, quality water, salt. Also tons of researching from this site since the day i joined. Im just hoping my tank while look like some of the member photos that i've been seeing