Problem cycling tank....

[logan89]

I bought a master water test kit, it included a ph, nitrIte, and ammonia testers. Problem is, my ammonia test kit (color system) only goes to 2ppm, how am I supposed to know when i'm up to 4-6ppm?!?! WHAT DO I DO!

Is there any alternative besides going and buying another/better ammonia test kit? I paid $15 for this one, and I literally have NO money.

Please help me out!....

Thanks,

-Logan

 

[rdd1952]

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do. If you are trying to raise the ammonia level to about 6 ppm to start your cycle, try this:

Add a few drops (make sure you count them) and test the water. Keep adding drops until you get the ammonia reading to 1 ppm. Once you know how many drops it takes to raise it 1 ppm, simply add 5 or 6 times more to raise it to 5 or 6 ppm. After that, the only thing that really matters is when it falls back to zero. When it does, add enough to raise it back to about 2 ppm and start testing the nitrites. Everytime the ammonia drops back to zero, add to 2 ppm again. Once the nitrite drops to zero, do a big water change and add your fish.

I have the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master test kit and would highly recommend the AP test kits when you use up the ones you have.

 

[logan89]

Ok, thank you very much.

It sounds like such common sense now, I feel like I need to go back through the 2nd grade lol

Thanks again,

-Logan

 

[Angel Lady]

That was great advice. I would have never thought to do it that way.

 

[pseud]

Smart thinking RDD!