Interpet Master Test Kit

[lozzamum]

is the interpet test kit reliable? i am using it. my tank has only been up and running for a couple of weeks and i used amtrite down which is supposed to start the nitrite cycle and doing regular tests with no ammonia or nitrite registering i am following all directions prorerly is it possible this $45 test doesnt work? or could the tank be cycled??

 

[waterdrop]

From what I've seen over the years this has not been the most popular kit with the members. The pecking order seems to be Salifert at the top followed by a significant gap and then API, followed closely by Nutrafin and then TetraTest and that's about it, although I'm probably forgetting someone. Statistically it's most likely your cycle has not actually started yet - many fishless cycles can take 70 days or more although lucky ones can be as short as a month.

WD

 

[BigbruiserAl]

After using 3 API kits £60! i chnaged to Salifert much better 100%. They seem far more accurate for me

 

[Louiseness]

is the interpet test kit reliable? i am using it. my tank has only been up and running for a couple of weeks and i used amtrite down which is supposed to start the nitrite cycle and doing regular tests with no ammonia or nitrite registering i am following all directions prorerly is it possible this $45 test doesnt work? or could the tank be cycled??

You don't say but I presume you either have fish in there or are dosing with ammonia, right? If that's the case then you should definitely have something showing.

 

[willowstwin]

i used amtrite down which is supposed to start the nitrite cycle

Am I right in assuming that this is like a filter start, containing "helpful bacteria"...? If this is the case and either a) you're not dosing with ammonia (fishless cycle) or b) have fish in there, then those products are useless. Even if they did have the beneficial bacteria, what are they going to eat?

many fishless cycles can take 70 days or more although lucky ones can be as short as a month.

If you get mature filter media you can (as I did) have your tank cycling in a matter of weeks. However, we need to establish whether Ioazzamum has actually cycled using ammonia or not... as even if mature media was used, it will all be dead now if there was no ammonia for them to live on.

Please give us more info on how you are cycling your tank, and what this amtrite stuff is/claims to be. It may turn out you've been wasting a $45 test kit

 

[lozzamum]

Ok sorry I didnt clarify. Amtrite down claims "instant bio starting or restore bio starting after water exchange" has nitrifying bacteria. Yes unfortunatley there are fish in the tank I am also using stress coat these were both recommended by the pet shop and yes I now know not to listen to the pet shop I am a newbie never owned fish before thought it would be a nice birthday present for my son and am quickly learning that the pet shop will tell you anything to sell you things regardless of whether they die or suffer. I read on here about the test kits so went and bought one as soon as i could and it is not regestering anything so I can only assume it isnt working another $40 wasted. Until I can afford a better test kit should I do 20% water changes daily the 28liter tank has 1 betta in it and a heater and undergravel filter. Any help appreciated thanks.

 

[willowstwin]

to be honest, 1 betta won't cause that much of a bioload so your levels are probably fine I didn't mean to come across as being off, I wasn't at all, just the more information people on here have, the better they are able to help I'm sorry if I came across wrong

Those bacteria containing solutions are practically useless hun. And at $40, I'd say that was a pretty good test kit. So I'd say keep testing, just not as often, and you should be fine. If it's been running for a few weeks, with no deaths, I'd say you're fine although you have just done a fish-in cycle.

Are you getting nitrAtes? If so, then your tank is definitely cycling.

LFS's in general are businesses first, animal lovers second... makes me sad really as they cause so much heartache for adults and children alike when the fish you've set your heart on die.

 

[Louiseness]

Are you getting nitrAtes? If so, then your tank is definitely cycling.

Good point. I must have misread because I assumed you were getting no nitrates either. If you have nitrates then you've actually finished cycling If not, then the test kit is probably wonky.

 

[lozzamum]

sorry I was not at all offended by what you said just upset with the advice I was given at the pet shop and I am sorry it came out that way. You have all had great advice. i will check nitrates tonight and post the results later. The fisky (named sunset) seems to be doing fine he is a pig and has such a personality likes to be hand fed so cute!!! I will try another test kit if no nitrates register and keep everyone infomed on those results so ppl dont waste their money on a crap kit either. Thanks everyone.

 

[Harlequins]

Are you getting nitrAtes? If so, then your tank is definitely cycling.

Good point. I must have misread because I assumed you were getting no nitrates either. If you have nitrates then you've actually finished cycling If not, then the test kit is probably wonky.

Getting Nitrates showing doesn't necessarily mean its cycling,has the op may have nitrates showing through the tap water...

Test the tap water for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/ph. This will help in the readings for your tank,some peeps have varied readings for all for of these but nitrate does tend to be in tap water to start with.(Mine is 10ppm before the tank tests.)

 

[Harlequins]

Bio starting products/bacteria in bottles is an expensive way and doesn't work in a lot of cases,try getting some donated mature media for your filter is the best option.

It is also possible that this product is not working,hence thats why your not getting any readings from your test kit,get yourself some bottle Ammonia,available from hardware stores,must not contain soap additives and using the calculator dose your tank,the follow the fishless cycle in the beginners section

 

[Louiseness]

Getting Nitrates showing doesn't necessarily mean its cycling,has the op may have nitrates showing through the tap water...

Test the tap water for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/ph. This will help in the readings for your tank,some peeps have varied readings for all for of these but nitrate does tend to be in tap water to start with.(Mine is 10ppm before the tank tests.)

Duh! Didn't think of this. Apologies OP!

 

[Harlequins]

Just read you've a Betta in there,just keep a check on the stats and do a w/c's if necessary,so ignore bit about the ammonia