Aaron26
Aquarium Advice Regular
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2017
- Messages
- 63
Though test strips are inaccurate, it appears your cycle is still ongoing. You’ll need your nitrites will need to be 0 as well.
Keep in mind, a cycle can take 6-8 weeks.
what did you use for a ammonia source to start the cycle
I agree, decent test kits can be pricey but are absolutely essential. The api test kits I started with are nowhere near sensitive enough for the needs of a salt water tank.
Red sea is fantastic and Hannah checkers are even better. The cost of the original test kits are high, but refill reagents are available at very reasonable prices.
For cycling, api is great for the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. No need to go further than that with costly Reef tests when cycling.
True, but you use the api tests What? Maybe 10 - 15 times over the course of a cycle then it sits on the shelf because you don't have any other use for it. Following that you need to spend the money on the higher quality test kits anyways. Red sea costs on average $.10 - $.15 per test.For cycling, api is great for the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. No need to go further than that with costly Reef tests when cycling.
I’ve never heard of kijiji in terms of test kits. I’d say hopefully they are accurate, but a broader spectrum will work when we are just talking about cycling.
Mebbid, the same for above applies. We aren’t talking about Reef quality gear here. We are just talking about getting Aaron through the cycling process here. API is good enough for cycling and cheap enough to get for someone just entering the hobby. If Aaron gets into a Reef system, I’ll point him towards Red Sea or Hanna checkers due to their accuracy.