What test kit do you use?

I've found the API Master Kit for $40 AUD online if that helps you out Ranga? (pm me and I can point you to the online shop)

In order of importance (IMO)
Ammonia
Nitrate
pH
Nitrite

Total individual value ~ $56, so you'd save $16 buying the kit, which then allows you to get the GH/KH as well, and still have spent less than buying the 4 individuals above.

Next would be GH/KH, get the one that has both tests in it (costs the same as individual)

Then, for planted tanks: Phosphate, and then if you want to get real scientific, Copper, Iron - but these last two are probably only used by serious plant keepers with high demand, high tech setups.

Can you get an advance on your allowance just to get the Master Kit and save some money in the long run?

 

OK, id like that, and I think I know where the place online you talking about thanks.
what brand is it? is apI good?

 

API is what most people here use. It is the only brand available locally to me so I am not familiar with any others.

 

Good morning,

I have moved your thread to the Aquarium Water/Test Kit section of the forum.

Thanks!
Ken

 

Ranga, if you can get the master test kit, that's great. If not, then I'd go with the ammonia test first, even in an established tank.

 

ok, thanks

 

Ok, well this morning I bought a ammonia kit (for $21) and I was wondering how often I should test it.
It read about 0-0.05. Is this OK?

 

What is the brand of the kit?

If it is the API kit, then telling the difference between 0 and 0.05 is quite easy, as zero is yellow. Any variation from yellow, and it's 0.05

As for how often to test... you'll get varied recommendations.

I test mine every water change now that the tank is cycled and somewhat established.

While I was cycling, I tested everyday, and tested every second day when I added new fish, just to keep an eye out for any potential mini-cycle with the higher bio-load.

I probably don't need to test every water change, now that I have a solid history, but I do it as piece of mind, and to give me an indication of how much water to change.... e.g. if I get a spike in nitrates I might change more than normal.

So in terms of days, I test every 7-10 days on average.

It's a good idea to keep a diary of your readings so that you can keep track of the readings and gain some 'confidence' in the stability of your tank. Then after sometime, you may get a 'feel for things' and just know when something is not right.

 

My API ammonia test doesn't have .05, I don't think. I think it goes from 0 to .25, and then .5

 

Meenu is right. API kit starts at 0.25, but either way, zero is yellow, any variation indicates ammonia is present.

Thanks for the pickup meenu

 

I agree totally with ryan, I'd start testing every water change, and if those stay consistent then I would cut it back to once a month, or if I spot any trouble in the tank. Also if you do any major changes, like adding stock, changing substrate, filters, etc, its good to test daily for a while to make sure you aren't spiking.

 

Yes, it is EXTREMELY close to the 0 reading except I can only just make out the slightest of variants, its not enough to be halfway between the two.

Its sort of a rough estimate.

 

Hi,,names ross and totally new to this site and totally new to aquariums,,I'm sorry if I'm about to ask a couple of questions that are answrered elsewhere in this site and please excuse my ignorance,,,I bought a 95 litre tank yesterday,,and been told to wait at least a week b4 addin fish,,,I live in the uk,,,what test kit would you recomend,,and when should I be startin to test the water after the initial set-up,,,any help would be greatly appreciated,,and again many apologies on my ignorance,,,,regards Ross

 

Hello and welcome to fishlore! You have come to the right place for answers. The members on here are great and love sharing their knowledge. I don't know if they sell them in the uk, but most of us on here use an A.P.I liquid master test kit. Test strips are unreliable and don't give accurate readings. Please read up on the nitrogen cycle. It should be hilighted in blue and just click on it. You cannot just wait a few weeks and put fish in your tank. There is a science to it. I also reccomend getting a declorinator if you use city water. Prime is a great one. It removes any metals in the water along with detoxifying ammonia and nitrates in the water. Please do research and ask questions about any fish you are thinking about putting in your tank. This will ensure that your start into this wonderful hobby is a great one!

 

thankin you greatly chris for your info,,,the fish I am lookin to get are most probably goin to be tetras and darios,,I am using nutrafin cycle,,and also nutrafin aqua-plus,,which is a water conditioner for tap water,,that's what the pet store recommened,,,tho I don't know how good it may be,,,,again may I be a pest and ask how soon should I be startin to testr the water,,again many thanks,,ross

 

I've only heard bad things about the nurafin cycle. I believe it contains the wrong kind of bacteria for the aquarium. The one I know works is tetra safe start. I personally have used it with success. I have never used the nurafin aqua-plus. I would stop using the nurafin cycle. Unfortunately, since the nurafin cycle won't get your tank to actually cycle, you will have to start over. I would do a fishless cycle using pure ammonia. You can usually get pure ammonia at a local hardware store. The directions for this method are in the nitrogen cycle info.

 

Good morning and Welcome to Fish Lore Ross!

A couple of links for you:

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/four-methods-of-fish-less-cycling.48446/

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...-cycling-with-established-filter-media.66727/

https://www.fishlore.com/acclimating-tropicalfish.htm

I hope you enjoy the site. Don't hesitate to ask questions, we are all here to help!

Ken

 

I don't know if they sell them in the uk, but most of us on here use an A.P.I liquid master test kit.
I also reccomend getting a declorinator if you use city water. Prime is a great one. It removes any metals in the water along with detoxifying ammonia and nitrates in the water.

yes we do get apI master test kits over here



and I also advise getting prime it has made life so much better



also i'd have a good look around for good fish stores in your area take time to look around (most stores are used to us customers spending 3 or 4 hours just looking at fish) pay attention to their stock and how healthy the tanks look if you do spot an ill or dead fish in the tanks (even the best stores loose fish from day to day) see how the staff react when you tell them, a good store with good staff won't just give you any fish you ask for they will tell you what's suitable for your tank and will advise you how to add fish and when etc etc,

oh and welcome to fishlore !

 

the API Master kit IS availble in the UK - I actually got mine at pets@Home - Had to ask though as its not on the shelf)

 

the API Master kit IS availble in the UK - I actually got mine at pets@Home - Had to ask though as its not on the shelf)

it's on the self in all the pets at home stores around cardiff, but it's the most expensive place i've found to buy it

oh and I also advice avoiding cycle all it does is feed the wrong kind of bacteria into your tank stopping it from cycling and meaning you have to keep using it for the life of your tank, I have used tetra safe start but had mixed results, my advice is patience and a fishless cycle or get filter media from an established tank,

trust me I learnt the hard way....

 

again chris,,mant thanks for your help,,,maybe slightly more complicated than I invisaged,,but I know it will be worth all the work when I eventually get the fish in my tank,,,and aquarist many thanks alkso,,I found your links most helpful,,,well back to work on the tank and readin more posts and try to get it sorted out properly,,again many thanks to the both of myou,,,regards Ross

thx djsmiley and cowboy,,alas to petsathome and spend more money,,,wooohoooo the wife really gonna love me now,,thx for the help,,,sorry if my lack of knowledge is tedious and annoying,,but alas after a while you'll get used to it haha,,thanking you both kindly

Merged back to back posts. Ken

 

thx djsmiley and cowboy,,alas to petsathome and spend more money,,,wooohoooo the wife really gonna love me now,,thx for the help,,,sorry if my lack of knowledge is tedious and annoying,,but alas after a while you'll get used to it haha,,thanking you both kindly

dude we all started in the same way and had to learn somehow, just remember there is no such thing as a stupid question

and if you think it's bad going to pets@home for a test kit just wait till you find yourself browsing ebay for the second tank


then the third tank


then the fourth........

 

haha,,,,shhhh don't tell the wife bout those just yet,,,how long should I wait after initial set-up b4 I start doing water tests,,I just talked her into the liquid master test kit as everyone seems to be sayin the same thing about it being good,,and I'm wanting to do this right

 

I was testing mine every couple of days throughout my cycle, but wait and see what the more experianced members say

 

how long roughtly should I be gettin out the master kit,,I know that's an open question as to how often I use it but a rough estimation would be rather helpful

 

Good morning,

Testing may depend on exactly how you decide to cycle. Cycling fishless is most widely recommended. It may take 4 to 6 maybe even 8 weeks to cycle.

If you have a friend also in the hobby, perhaps you could obtain some filter media from his/her filter to jump start yours. The filter media is where most of your beneficial bacteria live that helps to maintain the tanks cycle. Getting a jump start will cut down the amount of time it takes to cycle greatly!

You'll know the tank is cycled when you 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and under 20 nitrates.

Should you decide to cycle with fish and I don't recommend this method, you would need to test every day. Cycling fishless and being a new member to the hobby, every couple of days should be good, but I'd be excited and still test every day.

Ken

 

one last question,,and I know its been partially answered already,,,when I bought my tank yesterday dobbies ( a garden centre ) they said I could place fish in after a week,,,how can they say this if you yourself,,who has obviously more knowledge than the staff there by telling me that,,,I have already been told that using nutrafin cycle and nutrafin aqua-plus aint the right stuff and that's what they suggested,,gettin confused now,,lol,,again my apologies for my lack of knowledge ,,,Ross

 

HI Ross,

Keep in mind that stores are in business to make $. That doesn't mean they know anything about keeping fish and aquariums.

This isn't true, of course, for all pet store employees, but I have found over the years it is for many.

The information you've been given about Nutrifin Cycle is correct. It is a bacterial additive that is supposed to give you an instant cycle, more or less, but it hasn't worked for most of our members.

If you want a quick way to cycle then what is most widely recommend is Tetra Safe Start (TSS) See link below:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/q-a-with-tetra-about-tetra-safestart.58116/

The TSS hasn't worked for everyone but it has worked for many! If you go this route, then follow the information to the letter in the link I provided above.

KEn

 

again aquarist many thanks for your patience and advice,,,maybe patience would be better if you could buy that to,lol,well lots to read and get on with,,again many thanks ,,kindest regards Ross

 

Glad to help! Keep the questions coming anytime you need to. So many members with tons of knowledge!

Have a good weekend!
Ken

 

think this way if you do a fishless cycle then the few weeks it takes gives you time to plant and scape your tank so once the cycle is done the tank is planted and everything is roooted in well for the first fish being added

 

thx for that,,,,,goin to buy tatra safe start and the apI master test kit tomorrow,,,goin to bin the cycle as after readin loads of posts here on it,,if I keep using it I think I may have a few members here huntin me down for cruelty to ma fish,,,tho using safestart,still goin to wait a while before I add ma fish,,if that makes sense

 

Hi, welcome to Fishlore! In order for Tetra Safe Start to work, fish need to be added at the same time as the bottle of TSS.

 

I will chime in about the Nutrafin Cycle.

When I was setting up my ten gallon tank early last year I was told to use it by the pet store employee. I continued to use it for a few months and the maintenance on the tank was ridiculous. I found that to keep the "cycle" that it claimed I had to add more and more each time I put it in. I did some research and found out that it was a land born bacteria that dies off in the water rather quickly.

When I stopped using it I already had my fish in the tank and needless to say I had a terrible time of getting my fish to stay healthy and happy. It took several months just to get it right again. I have finally move on away from that tank as there have been more problems with it than I can handle. I am about halfway done moving my fish from my 10 gallon to my new 29 gallon. The fish that I have moved over to the new tank seem to be happier and moving around better.

Again, I blame the Cycle for all my problems.

 

Good morning,

LexI above is correct. When you use Tetra Safe Start (TSS), 2 or 3 fish need to be added right away. The waste the fish produce will feed the bacteria in the TSS. Make sure you follow the directions in the link in post #16, Q an A for TSS to the letter .

Ken

 

Welcome to fishlore!

 

Just wondering, what brand and what does it test for in the water of your tank? Just out of curiosity I made this thread.

I use the API master kit.

It tests for nitrate, nitrite, high level pH, pH, and ammonia. I think that's about it.

 

I use API master kit as well, but I also have a shrimp tank and test for GH and KH.

 

Same, apI master test kit, gets used hardly ever but they are good.

 

I use the API master test kit too! I have used a different brand before, I had 3 test kits for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate but I actually prefer the API kit