Guidence Needed With Api Nitrite Test

[waterdrop]

Yes, completely agree with MW on this latest exchange.

When fishless cycling, I add water directly to the tank via a hose. I split the overall dechlor via RDD's method, putting half into the tank water prior to, or just when starting the hose (eg. for me, a slight half-capful of Prime) and then the other half capful (or whatever) near the end of the fill.

For fishless cycling I tended to roughly match the temperature because for me it was easy to do (using indoor adjustable taps) and, for better or worse, I've never been worried about too many minerals in my hot water heater etc. However, I don't think there straight cold water is any problem at all - bacteria don't mind it in the least, and the heater will warm it up soon enough to keep the overall bacterial growth moving along as quickly as possible.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[LionessN3cubs]

Yes, completely agree with MW on this latest exchange.

When fishless cycling, I add water directly to the tank via a hose. I split the overall dechlor via RDD's method, putting half into the tank water prior to, or just when starting the hose (eg. for me, a slight half-capful of Prime) and then the other half capful (or whatever) near the end of the fill.

For fishless cycling I tended to roughly match the temperature because for me it was easy to do (using indoor adjustable taps) and, for better or worse, I've never been worried about too many minerals in my hot water heater etc. However, I don't think there straight cold water is any problem at all - bacteria don't mind it in the least, and the heater will warm it up soon enough to keep the overall bacterial growth moving along as quickly as possible.

~~waterdrop~~

well hey ...I got the answer to an issue I was having even! I bought a big bottle of dechlor not even a month ago and its gone already because I thought I needed to add some to each bucketful while I was refilling the tank for a water change. I only have a 10 gallon mind, but I overdose on the dechlor a bit because it brings my ph up like I need it too...so now I know I can add to the 1st bucket but dont need to the 2nd bucket according to what ya'll are saying...saves me a few bucks thanks

 

[Miss Wiggle]

buy pond dechlor........ goes a whole lot further!! on a 10gal tank 1ml would probably be overdosing

 

[simonmac2]

hi all,

i think i have got away with it (although i have "skinned my knees")

reading this evening:

Ammonia 1ppm (down from 5ppm after the water change)
nitrite 2ppm - so still food for the "slow" bacteria to grow on
nitrate 10ppm - although i'm not convinced as it is a bland orangy colour and never changes
ph - around 6.5/7

my summary is that no:1 bacteria have lost a battallion, but there is still a division fighting the good fight. no.2 bacteria haven't changed any so they may have taken a bit of a pasting (hard to tell, but at least there is still ammo for them)

panic over!

Simon

 

[waterdrop]

The nitrite phase, developing a healthy population of N-Bacs, can often go on considerably longer than the first phase of developing A-Bacs, so just carry on if need be. Glad you sorted that out.

~~waterdrop~~