What to believe

[bjtrapjr]

I am trying to cycle my qt tank. I have had 2 shrimp in a nylon stocking in the tank for about 5 days (10 gal tank) my ammonia badge is reading between .05 ppm and .2 ppm, so I decided to test the water with my api test kit ( I know they aren't the most accurate for ammonia) and is reading between 4 ppm and 8 ppm. What do I believe.

 

[myofibroblast]

Are there chloramines in your water? Did you use dechlorinators? Why did you use two different tests that are based on different chemical principles (and thus read two different output measures)?

 

[bjtrapjr]

What are chloramines. No I didn't use dechlorinators I didn't do anything and I used the test kit because I was told that even with the badge I should still check every couple of days. I'm just not sure what test to believe I don't want to take the shrimp out to early but I also don't want to leave it longer then I have to.

 

[reepher315]

If it reads ammonia take the shrimp out.

 

[myofibroblast]

Only you know the parameters of your procedures. May I suggest reading up on the principles of the test kits you use so that you can interpret the results in the proper context? Seachem and API both have websites explaining their respective tests. And whether you desire to check ammonia in the early stages of cycling is purely your preference.

With regard to the shrimp, I agree with taking it out. Nasty and unnecessary. Flake food will suffice.

 

[disc1]

Those vials look awfully opaque even for reading that high. It makes me wonder if there might have been an error performing the test. Definitely wouldn't be the first.

 

[Maivortex]

test again

 

[bjtrapjr]

I tested twice and they both came out the same

 

[myofibroblast]

If expense is not an issue, you can also use Seachem's ammonia kit. At least this way you minimize the variable of different chemical tests. Sometimes the explanation is really as simple as operator error (e.g. forgot to peel plastic off the badge, too many drops of solution 1 or 2, etc) and no one here is omniscient. The devil is in the details.

 

[bjtrapjr]

I just retested 2 more vials of water with the api test kit and it came back the same. So that is now 6 vials of water to read between 4 ppm and 8 ppm

 

[shesacharmer]

It's enough either way...ditch the shrimp.

 

[myofibroblast]

Please stop using the shrimp. So nasty. Take up another hobby for a couple weeks, maybe read up on the chemical tests you plan to use. Revisit your tank after a couple week's of absence and see if you have nitrates. In the meantime, enjoy the summer.

 

[bjtrapjr]

Listen I never said I was an expert at this stuff I thought forums were here so people can learn you really don't need to be a dick about it @ myofibroblast. I have heard of a few different ways to cycle a tank and this was the one I chose I'm sorry I offended you by using "nasty" shrimp but I don't feel comfortable at this point using the straight ammonia and it's inhumane to use live fish also I'm sorry I'm not a expert like you apparently are on chemical test but like I stated earlier I thought this was a place to learn not and not get bashed for not doing tons of research on the test kits

 

[bjtrapjr]

But thank you to everyone else that is trying to help

 

[m0nkie]

Listen I never said I was an expert at this stuff I thought forums were here so people can learn you really don't need to be a dick about it @ myofibroblast. I have heard of a few different ways to cycle a tank and this was the one I chose I'm sorry I offended you by using "nasty" shrimp but I don't feel comfortable at this point using the straight ammonia and it's inhumane to use live fish also I'm sorry I'm not a expert like you apparently are on chemical test but like I stated earlier I thought this was a place to learn not and not get bashed for not doing tons of research on the test kits

chill out man.. no need to be angry. You needed the shrimp to provide the ammonia. It did. It is not necessary to keep it in any longer to rot. nobody is saying the shrimp way is wrong or "nasty". What "nasty" meant is it will keep decomposing in the tank and creating ammonia. too much ammonia may even stall your cycle. it will smell pretty bad too

testing this early is not necessary. A cycle will take a month at least. whatever # you measure now will eventually turn to 0. except for nitrate.

btw I used many ammonia badges and found them all accurate. API is known for errors. When it's done, switch over to salifert or other better brands.

 

[bjtrapjr]

Thank you I have currently taken the shrimp out and again thank you for the information and I have posted many times in a lot of my threads I am new to this. When I got into this hobby 10 months ago I got a lot of really bad info from my lfs and lost a lot of money but I sick with this hobby because I think the tanks are beautiful and I have always wanted one but I don't need somebody being rude to me and telling me to take some time off and abandon the hobby just because I didn't do massive research on chemical test kits, it's only the 2nd tank I have ever cycled and I don't even know if the first one was done correctly because the lfs like I said gave me bad advice. I really do love this hobby so far and this forum has been a great resource to have I have learned more in the last month by being involved in this forum then I did in the previous 9 months from the owner of the lfs like I said I really appreciate all the advice I have gotten this far I just took that guys comments really offensively

 

[myofibroblast]

@bjtrapjr. Taking offense at the suggestion of reading up on widely available and easily accessible information is a reflection on your attitude, and no one else's. If you can't put in a little effort, do you expect others to put in the effort for you?

 

[JMorris271]

Please understand that about .99999967 of the people here want to give you the best advice they can and without malice. Sometimes some people use sarcasm or allegories .
So chill out dude. BTW, there is nothing in this hobby that can't be overcome with patience. Sorry about the lost funds. I have done that too with several hobbies. Just research before you disperse.

 

[JMorris271]

I am trying to cycle my qt tank. I have had 2 shrimp in a nylon stocking in the tank for about 5 days (10 gal tank) my ammonia badge is reading between .05 ppm and .2 ppm, so I decided to test the water with my api test kit ( I know they aren't the most accurate for ammonia) and is reading between 4 ppm and 8 ppm. What do I believe.

I had those same exact cobalt blue readings last month. I added about 1/2 cup of ammonia to a 35 gal can full of water and dry rock. It took a big water change to get things looking reasonable again

 

[bjtrapjr]

I am cycling my qt tank right now. I took the shrimp out as advised. I'm pretty sure I have to wait for nitrites to rise also then wait for the ammonia and nitrites to fall back to 0 then test the nitrates and do a water change. Aleast that what I believe I have read before. Also thank you for the comment before your last and I understand most people on this forum are here to help when they comment I just don't see a point on bashing someone for something when they are asking for help if they understood and knew everything about this hobby I'm sure they won't be on here the guy was just being rude so is whatever I'm over it now and more concerned with what my next step is