Air Pump & Test Kit

[Aliena]

Hi all, thanks for all the answers to my earlier questions. Been to the lfs today and that has brought up another couple!

I looked at the test kits and all seemed expensive so decided to look online. is this the one I keep seeing recommended?

http/www.onlinepetsupplies.uk.com/p/7153...r-test-kit.html

Second question, how essential is an air pump? Is it something I need before fish can survive in the tank or is it a 'nice to have' item I could add later?

This all seems so confusing!

 

[Truck]

Hi all, thanks for all the answers to my earlier questions. Been to the lfs today and that has brought up another couple!

I looked at the test kits and all seemed expensive so decided to look online. is this the one I keep seeing recommended?

[URL="http/www.onlinepetsupplies.uk.com/p/7153...r-test-kit.html"]http/www.onlinepetsupplies.uk.com/p/7153...r-test-kit.html[/URL]

Second question, how essential is an air pump? Is it something I need before fish can survive in the tank or is it a 'nice to have' item I could add later?

This all seems so confusing!

all you need is a test kit and im not going to recommend an API test kit as i have found them utterly useless and unreliable as have many others...the only viable test in that kit IMO is the PH one. if you can i would buy saliferts (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH)

an airpump is not needed unless its to operate a filter. as long as you have a little surface agitation then there will be enough gaseous exchange

 

[Aliena]

Hi all, thanks for all the answers to my earlier questions. Been to the lfs today and that has brought up another couple!

I looked at the test kits and all seemed expensive so decided to look online. is this the one I keep seeing recommended?

<a href="http/www.onlinepetsupplies.uk.com/p/7153...r-test-kit.html" target="_blank">http/www.onlinepetsupplies.uk.com/p/7153...r-test-kit.html</a>

Second question, how essential is an air pump? Is it something I need before fish can survive in the tank or is it a 'nice to have' item I could add later?

This all seems so confusing!

all you need is a test kit and im not going to recommend an API test kit as i have found them utterly useless and unreliable as have many others...the only viable test in that kit IMO is the PH one. if you can i would buy saliferts (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH)

an airpump is not needed unless its to operate a filter. as long as you have a little surface agitation then there will be enough gaseous exchange

Thanks for the quick answer. I'll have a look at the kit you recommend. I have been wondering why people talk about the API one so much when I have also read posts from a number of people who can't differentiate between 4ppm and 8ppm. I would have thought that you would need something more accurate than that to get it to 5ppm.

I shall wait to get an air pump then. I want to get all the essentials before I get my fish so that they will be happy but I don't want towait forever whilst I save up for non-essential items. Mainly because now I have the tank I am eager to get some fish!

 

[OldMan47]

The Salifert kit is reputed to be a better one but I have never used it. It is that much more expensive that I stick to the API kit. The API kit is accurate enough to get through a fishless or fish-in cycle and that is all that I really need. I do not disagree with Truck on the accuracy issue because I really don't know. I don't have laboratory grade testing available to verify that any one kit is more accurate than another. I know that the API kit is good enough for my needs.

 

[Aliena]

The Salifert kit is reputed to be a better one but I have never used it. It is that much more expensive that I stick to the API kit. The API kit is accurate enough to get through a fishless or fish-in cycle and that is all that I really need. I do not disagree with Truck on the accuracy issue because I really don't know. I don't have laboratory grade testing available to verify that any one kit is more accurate than another. I know that the API kit is good enough for my needs.

Thanks OldMan, been looking at some older posts about the test kits and still not sure which will suit me. I can be a bit anal about accuracy - comes from working with figures all day I think!! Seriously though, if I am supposed to get the tank to 5ppm and I can't tell if it is 4 or 8 that will drive me mad but all the beginners seem to like API and, as some have said, it's a common language on here which may well help when I get totally confused.

I shall have a think before I place any orders. Any other opinions would be appreciated - I like lots of things to think about.

 

[OldMan47]

There is really no need to go to 5 ppm. Use 4 ppm instead, makes an easy color match, and the cycle will progress just fine. We are trying for a grossly over ready tank condition before adding fish. The real world fish load in any tank that we all agree is fully stocked will be equivalent to maybe 2 or 3 ppm of ammonia addition daily. The ppm number is chosen as the maximum that can be dosed without the threat of the wrong bacteria developing. 4 ppm will do just fine at getting your tank ready for fish.

 

[Aliena]

There is really no need to go to 5 ppm. Use 4 ppm instead, makes an easy color match, and the cycle will progress just fine. We are trying for a grossly over ready tank condition before adding fish. The real world fish load in any tank that we all agree is fully stocked will be equivalent to maybe 2 or 3 ppm of ammonia addition daily. The ppm number is chosen as the maximum that can be dosed without the threat of the wrong bacteria developing. 4 ppm will do just fine at getting your tank ready for fish.

Ok, I am maybe getting too hung up on the numbers already and I haven't even got water in the tank yet.

Think I am driving OH mad with fish. He wants a tank to enjoy watching but isn't as into the details as me. He keeps sighing when I mention it now so I think I will have to shut up and talk on here more instead!

 

[OldMan47]

It is not too unusual Aliena. If I start talkingfish with my OH, all I get is a blank stare of or sometimes I get an "I could care less" type of remark.

 

[Aliena]

It is not too unusual Aliena. If I start talkingfish with my OH, all I get is a blank stare of or sometimes I get an "I could care less" type of remark.

He did object very strongly when I suggested we go along with the kids idea of a Spongebob Theme. Took him a while to realise I was joking.

 

[waterdrop]

Does OH always mean Other Half? I have these visions of my wife on some other forum referring to her Old Husband.

 

[Aliena]

Does OH always mean Other Half? I have these visions of my wife on some other forum referring to her Old Husband.

I think in this particular case old husband is far more appropriate.

 

[waterdrop]

Drat, I think I'm going to be dragging a little, trudging home from the office tonight...

 

[Aliena]

Drat, I think I'm going to be dragging a little, trudging home from the office tonight...

lol, I am sure in most cases it means other half. In my case he is a few years older than me and near enough a husband so old husband is appropriate. I bet your wife refers to you as DH in any case.

 

[waterdrop]

Drat, I think I'm going to be dragging a little, trudging home from the office tonight...

lol, I am sure in most cases it means other half. In my case he is a few years older than me and near enough a husband so old husband is appropriate. I bet your wife refers to you as DH in any case.

What's DH?

 

[Aliena]

Drat, I think I'm going to be dragging a little, trudging home from the office tonight...

lol, I am sure in most cases it means other half. In my case he is a few years older than me and near enough a husband so old husband is appropriate. I bet your wife refers to you as DH in any case.

What's DH?

Dear husband.