Ask Questions About Cycling

[eaglesaquarium]

Did you give the bottles a really super good shake first?

What's the expiration date of the kit?

 

[KieranBoyne]

oh yeah!! The expiry date!! Didn't think of that

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Just a few Qs. Are you using the blank according to the instructions? How long has it been since the ammonia reagent bottles were first opened?
 
Also, I do not know how this kit would react, but putting in 4 ties the ammonia it is designed to measure may cause it to read 0.
 
Here is some information from the JBL site:

 



Do my water tests still work although they have been open for nine months?
Basically a sealed test keeps longer than an open one. How much the shelf life is reduced depends crucially on the handling and the storage conditions of the reagents. It may happen that a reagent in a test that has been open for 9 months doesn’t indicate correctly any more. However, additional information is needed to answer this question properly.





The instructions point out that the comparator block should be used to compare the colours. Can this be done without the comparator block as well ? Or is there a factor from this comparison that is required for the measurement ?
The colour charts are intended to be used with the comparator block. Besides this, when the comparator block is used, the blank water sample compensates for the water’s natural colour.

Therefore, if the comparator block is not used, there will most likely be deviations in the readings.





The JBL Ammonium/Ammonia Test (NH₄/NH₃) does not turn green, and instead turns black.
This JBL Ammonium/Ammonia Test expired many years ago and will not function anymore.



What is the shelf life of the JBL Ammonium/Ammonia Test ?
The JBL ammonium/ammonia test has a shelf life of 2 years in the original sealed bottle.

The following is printed on the bottom of the packaging:

CH/B: 2246 (e.g.) = batch number
BBD: 05/12 (e.g.) = best-before date.

Please note that the best-before date does not apply for opened reagents. Exposure to atmospheric oxygen decreases the shelf life.

from http/www.jbl.de/en/aquatics-freshwater-products/detail/2438#faq

 

[baz2126]

Ive had the test kit around 3-4 months expiry date 08/15 I'm just testing my water now this is 3 days in and added like I said due to it not turning colour around 20ml. I've shaken the liquids vigorously and going to use the comparing block let's see what it does.

Ive had the test kit around 3-4 months expiry date 08/15 I'm just testing my water now this is 3 days in and added like I said due to it not turning colour around 20ml. I've shaken the liquids vigorously and going to use the comparing block let's see what it does.

And to answer your question twotankamin they will have been opened around 3 months is this not good when should you replace??

 

[KieranBoyne]

Im not really sure to be honest. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[baz2126]

Here you go I've attached a picture the A is the water with the test kit solution in B is just clear water on top of the card. 3 days in 20ml added and it's still saying <0,05 mg/l(ppm)
Why hasn't my picture uploaded lol???
Here
To twotankamin you replied to my other thread saying a tank can't be cycled on R/O water I think you have found my problem and to answer your question on why I haven't used tap water this is because my water has 30ppm nitrates already in it wasn't sure if is good enough

 

[KieranBoyne]

hmm.... this is pretty weird, I genuinely cant think of anything

 

[baz2126]

hmm.... this is pretty weird, I genuinely cant think of anything

If it's true m8 that u can't cycle a tank on R/O water that is my problem sorry I forgot to mention I was using that water in this thread

 

[eaglesaquarium]

 

hmm.... this is pretty weird, I genuinely cant think of anything

If it's true m8 that u can't cycle a tank on R/O water that is my problem sorry I forgot to mention I was using that water in this thread
 

 
It is most definitely true.  The bacteria require carbonates to grow, just like they need ammonia, and just like they need oxygen.

 

[baz2126]

hmm.... this is pretty weird, I genuinely cant think of anything

If it's true m8 that u can't cycle a tank on R/O water that is my problem sorry I forgot to mention I was using that water in this thread

 It is most definitely true.  The bacteria require carbonates to grow, just like they need ammonia, and just like they need oxygen.

Cheers guys looks like a massive water change is due hahaha what do I do about my nitrates in my tap water being between 20-30 ppm though??

 

[eaglesaquarium]

That's not too bad, honestly.  What fish do you plan on keeping?

 

[baz2126]

That's not too bad, honestly.  What fish do you plan on keeping?

Not sure yet I guess it all depends on the parameters of my water when it's finished then I will find fish based upon that

 

[eaglesaquarium]

 

That's not too bad, honestly.  What fish do you plan on keeping?

Not sure yet I guess it all depends on the parameters of my water when it's finished then I will find fish based upon that
 

 
 
The only thing that I think would be a concern would be discus.  Most others that nitrate isn't an issue. 

 

[baz2126]

That's not too bad, honestly.  What fish do you plan on keeping?

Not sure yet I guess it all depends on the parameters of my water when it's finished then I will find fish based upon that

  The only thing that I think would be a concern would be discus.  Most others that nitrate isn't an issue.


I'm not a great fan of discus m8 so that shouldn't be a worry I like my small fish
Fighters, guppies, tetras sterbai corys etc

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'm not a great fan of discus m8 so that shouldn't be a worry I like my small fish
Fighters, guppies, tetras sterbai corys etc
 

 
Then there should be no issue.