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[e_tothe_lijah]

What is a good tester kit? What's it run price wise? Will the kit tell us the ammonia amount? How do you know how much ammonia do you add? 55 gallon tank

 

[e_tothe_lijah]

Anyone?

 

[Hholly]

The API test kit is the best. If you already have fish you don't add any ammonia. You only add it if you are starting a new, empty tank. Hope this helps!

 

[e_tothe_lijah]

We are just starting. What's the API cost?

 

[Hholly]

It costs between $24 and $28, depending nowhere you buy it. There is another thread with the formula for adding ammonia. Do a search for "how much ammonia to add" maybe. You can add it slowly and just keep testing until you have about 4 parts per million. For my 45 gallon, it took about 5cc.

 

[giants1249er]

Calculator is at bottom:
Fishkeeping - Fishless Tank Cycling and Avoiding New Tank Syndrome - General Guides - Articles

 

[jlk]

An API freshwater master test kit will run you @30-35 dollars at a big chain pet store. Its about $10 cheaper online (amazon). The kit includes tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, & high-range ph. There are literally hundreds of tests you can perform so both the accuracy & the cost per test (pennies) make it a worthwhile investment! The amount of ammonia you have to add is dependant on various factors such as is there ammonia in your tap/source water or what type & strength of ammonia (% ammonium hydroxide)? For example-you wont have to add as much ammonia if theres ammonia in your tap or the weaker the ammonia is (%), the more you have to add to get to 4ppm.