My Tank Water

[Ronnie27]

Hi my LFS where i bought my tank said they would test my water after the cycle and see if it is ready for fish. I live bout 20mins drive away from the shop and they asked me to take a sample in. My worry is that after i put a sample in a bottle (500ml Coke Bottle) the results may change becuase of this. I am right to worry or will it be ok. I have a test kit on order bout dont think it wil be here for friday and would like to get fish this sat if the water is ok. Any help and advice would be great cheers

 

[arobinson1984]

Don't listen to your lfs, most tell you that a cycle is leaving your tank for about a week before adding fish, this does absolutely NOTHING, you could stand your tank for a year and it still wouldn't be ready for fish.

A cycle takes 6-8 weeks to complete and needs a source of ammonia in order to progress, I'd recommend doing a fishless cycle as it's a hell of a lot easier.

Have a read in the beginners resource section that is pinned in the new to the hobby area and read up on the nitrogen cycle and fishless cycling

Andy

Edit: if your lfs did inform you correctly and you are currently doing a proper cycle then I apologise but most lfs don't tell you how to cycle properly. How are you cycling the tank?

 

[Ronnie27]

i have done a cycle but they said they would test it this weekend and make sure that it is ok for fish just wasnt sure weather it would change after puting in a water bottle

 

[Curiosity101]

How long have you been cycling for? And how have you been introducing ammonia into the tank to cycle it?
You can only really tell if you water is ready for fish if you add ammonia to the tank 12 hours before you take your sample that you are going to get the lfs to test.

But back to the question you asked, wash the bottle thoroughly with hot water and allow to air dry. It should be fine.
Other things you could put a sample of water in:
Fish bag
Double bagged kitchen food bags
Tupperware pot

and there are probably more things that I just haven't thought of.