Testing The Water

[tezmac]

Hi, being new to the hobby i have been reading about cycling the tank. I have never done this but am keen to learn what to do. But how do i test for amonia and nitrate. And where do i buy the test equipment your help greatly appreciated

 

[rdd1952]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

You can get a good master test kit at most fish stores. API kits seem to be the most popular. Make sure you get a liquid kit and not strips. Most 5 in 1 strips won't test ammonia, something that I can't figure out since that is the most important thing to test in a cycling tank. They are also very inaccurate too.

Also, I see that your group is still "Validating". You will need to find the email you received when you registered and click the link to validate your membership. Otherwise, you will only be able to post in a few sections. If you didn't receive it, check the bulk or spam folders for it.

 

[doresy]

Hi, and when you have 'Validated' your membership......read the pinned post (fixed posts at the head of each section) on 'Fishless Cycling' by the member (rdd1952) replying above my post and you too will feel like an expert

Thank you rdd1952...still doin it

 

[tezmac]

Also was wondering about buying an tetra external filter as my tank water never seems clear and the man in my local shop has recommended this. Is this good advice

 

[rdd1952]

What size is your tank and what type and size (gph) filter do you currently have? generally cloudy water has nothing to do with the filter but is a bacterial or algae bloom.

 

[vinylman]

Also was wondering about buying an tetra external filter as my tank water never seems clear and the man in my local shop has recommended this. Is this good advice

The Tetratec external filters are fabulous. If you have anything but the smallest tank, you won't do much better than the Tetratecs.