Test Kits

[USN968]

Just started a 29 gallon tank. Have 2 test kits. API freshwater kit and a Hagen master kit. API says ammonia 0 while Hagen says 6 ppm. Both 2 years old. Who to trust? No exp. on either. Anyone had this problem? Ran both twice with same results. Tank is in first week of cycling. Any comments?

 

[drobbyb]

Test kits expire. If the test kit is open, I believe that they only last a year.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi USN968

Welcome to the forum!

I'm going to move your thread to the "Your New Freshwater Tank" section. The members who post there will help you right through getting your tank cycled successfully.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

When I bought my Nutrafin test kit recently, the LFS said it was good practice to use a LFS as a "second opinion" every few months by getting them to test our water, to act as a calibration for test kits.

 

[JoshuaA]

I think its really up to you to make the decision which one is right. If you're one week into the "cycle", are you doing a fishless cycle or have you got fish in?

Fishless - How much Ammonia did you add, if any?
Fish in - 6ppm are your fish live?

If you could believe there was a substantial source of ammonia in your tank capable of achieving 6ppm in a 29 gallon tank then I would go with the Nutrafin test. However like someone said take it to a fish store!

 

[OldMan47]

Unfortunately, the LFS that I trust most uses the identical kit to the one that I use. The only thing I would be checking by going to them would be my technique. You might try testing your tap water. Even a gross overdose of chloramine won't push tap water above about 1 ppm. That may give you some indication of what your tests are telling you.