Question About Ammonia And Nitrites.

[karneval]

Okay, so I've just been doing some reading on cycling and everything - just because it's there to read, I'm not especially new or anything, and a question I don't know the answer to popped into my head, so I've decided to ask here.

I don't have anything up and running right now, so this is completely hypothetical. Okay, so let's say I did have a tank set up, and I was doing a cycle. But I didn't have any water tests, so I was taking water samples to the LFS to have them test it. I would take a water sample, do a water change, and then take another sample, keeping them seperate and labeling them. Well, what if I couldn't get to the LFS for a day or two? Would the Ammonia and Nitrite readings still be the same as when the samples were taken?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

good question!

I know that things like the pH will change if the water is left to sit around for a day or two because some of the gasses in the water which affect the pH will have 'gassed off'.

however i don't think that this would affect ammonia and nitrite.

i'd wait for colit, btt and waterdrop though....... reckon this is just their sort of sciency question!!

 

[waterdrop]

I don't know the answer. Best guess is that MW is right and pH would be the one most likely to lose some accuracy if anything.

I agree its a nice theoretical question but its important to understand that there's a huge practical difference, karneval. Fishless cycling and then Fish-In tank monitoring is much better done when you make a commitment and jump in with both feet so to speak. You'll get better results and come to understand the process much better if you can make frequent and repeatable tests right there on your tank. A big part of it is definately getting up to speed from being a beginner to having a real "feel" for what the problems of ammonia and nitrite are like and what the feel and timings are like for dealing with them in your own personal environment you've created - your size tank and your choice of plantings etc. - all things that vary from person to person.

Its unusual to be a person having a thoughtful read and interaction prior to purchases and actions. You can take great advantage from that sort of effort, I commend you.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[karneval]

Thank you for your replies.

I do plan on setting up a tank soon - I've ordered a ten gallon for my betta, and basically to keep myself sane while I wait for it to be shipped, I've been reading everything available. I have a friend with a fish tank that is already cycled, and they're going to give me some filter media when I get my tank up and running, so that will help with the cycle, and I do plan on getting a test kit for at home, too. I was just curious, that's all.

I've had large fish tanks before, a few years ago, when I was still a little bit too young and eager then to worry about cycling, but now I'll definitely be doing things the right way. I'm also going to be planting the tank - my first time working with live plants - and that will keep me on my toes with making sure everything is how it needs to be.

 

[doresy]

Hi, got us all going this one!

Obvious answer to the problem although it does not answer your question is to get a testing kit.

API Master Kit for around £20 is probably THE most essential bit of kit for Fishless Cycling