lynniejean
Aquarium Advice Newbie
So I bought one of those near-death Bettas from Petsmart on a whim thinking he would be a nice desk-buddy in a 1-gallon bowl. Only then did I do some research and learn that he needs more room. So here I am a few days later surrounded by 3 different test kits, Gil getting treated for fin rot in his one-gallon bowl/turned hospital tank, and me learning to cycle his larger more-humane home.
Here's my point of confusion regarding ammonia testing: The water in the tank that's cycling was pre-treated with Prime per the awesome "(Almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling" you have posted on this site. So in order to know the true levels of ammonia I have in that cycling tank, I would need to use the API kit I have that tests Total Ammonia...correct?
But when it comes to Gil's water in his bowl, if I use the API kit, it ALWAYS shows ammonia--- even with his Prime-treated water. (I read that I should be doing 100% water changes daily in something that small---hope I'm not stressing him out too much). But if I break out the Seachem Multitest and test only for Free Ammonia, it shows no ammonia present. (The test strips I originally purchased have been cast aside).
So, what I'm thinking is that I can still use up the API for the tank in the cycling process, but use the Multitest free ammonia test in a tank with fish so I can rest assured that the harmful ammonia has been neutralized. Free ammonia testing for established tanks, and Total ammonia testing for cycling tanks. Do I have this right or am I just making a confusing matter even more so? Thank you in advance for any insight you can provide
Here's my point of confusion regarding ammonia testing: The water in the tank that's cycling was pre-treated with Prime per the awesome "(Almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling" you have posted on this site. So in order to know the true levels of ammonia I have in that cycling tank, I would need to use the API kit I have that tests Total Ammonia...correct?
But when it comes to Gil's water in his bowl, if I use the API kit, it ALWAYS shows ammonia--- even with his Prime-treated water. (I read that I should be doing 100% water changes daily in something that small---hope I'm not stressing him out too much). But if I break out the Seachem Multitest and test only for Free Ammonia, it shows no ammonia present. (The test strips I originally purchased have been cast aside).
So, what I'm thinking is that I can still use up the API for the tank in the cycling process, but use the Multitest free ammonia test in a tank with fish so I can rest assured that the harmful ammonia has been neutralized. Free ammonia testing for established tanks, and Total ammonia testing for cycling tanks. Do I have this right or am I just making a confusing matter even more so? Thank you in advance for any insight you can provide