Near End Of Cycle, Need More Test Tubes

[MichelleAntoinette]

Hello!

I'm nearing the end of my fishless cycle with my 28L tank. This morning I had readings of 0PPM Ammonia, 0PPM Nitrite, 80PPM Nitrate so I did a huge water change and algae clean. Then added some ammonia to take my tank to 2PPM. 12 hours later and my readings were 0.25 Ammonia, 0.25 Nitrate, 20PPM Nitrate. So will continue and hope I'm near the end.

Anyway, during the last 3 weeks I've broken 2 of my 4 API test tubes. Does anyone know where I can get replacements?

Btw, I've been lurking on this board for 3 weeks and have found it so informative - thank you contributors!

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

I know you can buy a box of 24 online. Never seen them in like packs of 4 or anything though.

You could use any 5ml tubes really

 

[CezzaXV]

I used some generic ones and used a syringe to measure out 5ml. The official API ones are way overpriced and break super easily. I managed to get a box of 10 generic ones on eBay for £4. This was six months ago and I haven't broken any yet. When I was using the official API ones, I was breaking one a day at some points.

 

[MichelleAntoinette]

Glad I'm not the only one!

 

[MichelleAntoinette]

Result!

Went to Pets At Home this morning to look at the fish and got talking with one of the assistants. When I told him I'd broken some of my test tubes he gave me one of his plastic ones for *free*.



- Morning numbers: 0ppm Ammonia, 0ppm Nitrate (dosed again up to 2ppm Ammonia)

0ppm Nitrite not Nitrate!

 

[CezzaXV]

Yay!

I will warn you though with the plastic ones that they can become stained by the test solutions, making it seem like it's giving you different readings.

 

[Welshweeks]

Is your nitrite clearing within 12 hrs? Mines currently taking 14 hrs hope to be down to 12 hrs in the next few days!!

 

[MichelleAntoinette]

Mine's taking 14 hours too... My husband thinks I'm deluded, my children think I'm crazy and quite frankly I'm bored of looking at a pretty but *empty* tank.

Then again, prefer this to dead fish...

And it's given me time to do research and learn about my tank, water, my filter and ofcourse my future fish.

 

[littlenemo]

Just wait it out fellow fish keepers. Mine was taking around 14 hours for about a week then over night it just dropped to 12 hours. I no looking at an empty tank is boring but when it's done and full of fish and plants wood etc it's a great sense of achievement

 

[CezzaXV]

If you've not already, I say start considering what fish and plants etc you're going to put in. You're really not far from the end now.