price of test kits?

[graceluvsplatys]

how much do test kits cost?
what do I have to buy in order to do fishless cycling
i mean the bare minimum

[cocoa_pleco]

you should have at least ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, alone they run for about $10 each, but you can buy master test kits and mini master test kits too

[graceluvsplatys]

how much for mini master test kit?

[Wild Turkey]

how much for mini master test kit?

about 25 if you shop around usually includes Ph, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia

[cocoa_pleco]

this is good too

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Wild Turkey]

this is good too

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

If the shipping isnt more than 7-8 dollars i would pounce all over that if i were you grace

[AquaBANG]

recently ordered a master test kit (API) for 17+$. Shipping is a 7+$ extra. Ordered from Big als... This will test for pH Ammonia Nitrite and Nitrate...

[Wild Turkey]

recently ordered a master test kit (API) for 17+$. Shipping is a 7+$ extra. Ordered from Big als... This will test for pH Ammonia Nitrite and Nitrate...

There ya go grace, 24 bucks for the master kit shipping in 48 hours. It wouldnt even be cheaper at ur fish store. GO go GO!:19:

[AquaBANG]

link to big als - [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
its $17.99 and shipping is $7.45. so you will get it at $25.50

hope this helps.

[Mvjnz]

I cycled with fish and I didn't have any tests kits apart from pH. It wasn't a problem. The first few weeks I did 30% water changes every day, then every 2 days, then twice a week and now I do once a week. Took about 6 weeks to get to the point where I only changed water once a week. The fish never showed any signs of nitrite poisoning or anything like that, and I have a couple who would be sensitive to those things.

Fishless cycle would be even easier, just leave the tank with plants and the filter running for about 6 weeks, add some fish food a couple times a week as if you were feeding fish, then you're good to go.

[Incredulous_Ed]

I could have gotten a master test kit on ebay for about 12$ shipped. I shoudl have gotten it.

[graceluvsplatys]

thanks for the options everyone!!
I may see how mvjnz's fishless theory workss, for about 6 weeks. If i dont see a nitrate spike ( i am sure I can get that test!) then I will go traditional fishless with ammonia.

[Wild Turkey]

Sorry, but i strongly strongly recommend test kits from start to finish. Without them theres no way to tell if your levels are harmful for fish and this is extremely irresponsible if done on purpose... Even if all your fish live cycling a tank with them can shorten their lifespan and make them more likely to contract diseases and make it harder to rid them of them. I do not recommend cycling with fish, and just adding fish flake could take ages, i was going to do that for a tank when i joined this site, and im glad i took everyones advice and did not, especially if you use this method theres no safe way to know when to add fish as it will take a long time before any ammonia is present in the tank and as with anything rotting in the tank, theres no way to tell how much ammonia is being produced and it almost surely will vary, so you are begging for a mini cycle, and theres no way to tell how many water changes you should be doing or how often.

[LosC]

I paid around 35 for an api master test kit, came with ph, high ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.

[AquaBANG]

check this out - API master test kit on ebay for $9.5 or higher bid.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[cabrego]

The best move for me has been to go to petsmart and price match to drsfosterandsmith.com. Theres is around 15 dollars. Of course I am sure not all Petsmarts pricematch to websites.

[sandy_n]

If you go here the master test kit is on sale for $15.99

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Algenco]

If you go here the master test kit is on sale for $15.99

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Call Big Al's and they will price match and deduct 5%, but you have to call them to get it

[pinsonpa]

If you can get a big chain store to price match a website then go-for-it (and let me know if it worked). Many of the websites drop the price of the product but charge you an arm and a leg for shipping and handling. What is listed on a website for $12-$15 dollars will come out to $20-$25 after they tack on s/h charges. I bought an API Master Test Kit at Petsmart (in person, not online) for $23.

If ANY big chain store will "in-store" price match a $15 "online" price please let me know and I'll be the first one to send graceluvsplatys $5 cash...then she'll just need $10 and a ride to get a test kit. I'm not kidding.

[Algenco]

I have gotten Petsmart store to match their online price several times.
Locate the item on the website and print the page, make certain go get the product #.

Some stores try to weasel out of doing it, others don't even bother looking at the page

If they say they can't do it ask for the Store # and managers name and tell them you are going to file a complaint:hmm3grin2orange:

[Incredulous_Ed]

lol the petsmarts around here nly do it for local stores, and only if you have a flyer. NO stores around hre give out flyers.

[graceluvsplatys]

Sorry, but i strongly strongly recommend test kits from start to finish. Without them theres no way to tell if your levels are harmful for fish and this is extremely irresponsible if done on purpose... Even if all your fish live cycling a tank with them can shorten their lifespan and make them more likely to contract diseases and make it harder to rid them of them. I do not recommend cycling with fish, and just adding fish flake could take ages, i was going to do that for a tank when i joined this site, and im glad i took everyones advice and did not, especially if you use this method theres no safe way to know when to add fish as it will take a long time before any ammonia is present in the tank and as with anything rotting in the tank, theres no way to tell how much ammonia is being produced and it almost surely will vary, so you are begging for a mini cycle, and theres no way to tell how many water changes you should be doing or how often.
Dont say sorry, I came for info. I will take your advice. I will buy the whole shibang. For all you others, you are all right. Ill buy a test kit.
thanks for all the help!

[graceluvsplatys]

Im going to get my mom to drive me to petsmart to check prices right now!

[MandyL]

Woohoo good luck Grace! You're making the right choice!

[graceluvsplatys]

I sure hope so!
bye.. Il,l be back in about an hour!

[pinsonpa]

Before you go, you might try Angelico's tip. I just looked up the API Master Kit (Freshwater) on the Petsmart website [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Print it off and take it into the store with you. Their online price right now is $22.99 which is probably only a few dollars cheaper than the "in-store" price but hey...a few bucks is a few bucks!

Again, if you find it online somewhere for $15 dollars...don't get too excited because by the time you pay shipping/handling you're still going to be out $22.99 (at least). Again, if anyone finds an actual store that will price match Big Al's, etc. and sell me a test kit for $15 IN-STORE please let me know.

I think I'm going to donate an aquarium starter kit to a local charitable auction and I'd love to throw an API Master Kit in there too (along with Williams AC flier and one of my AC business cards). Maybe we'll get a new member or two out of it :c3:

[fastfly]

My local Petsmart had the API Master Test kit for 29.99 and they priced matched from the Dr Fosters and Smith website. I walked out the store paying 14.99

[cabrego]

My local Petsmart had the API Master Test kit for 29.99 and they priced matched from the Dr Fosters and Smith website. I walked out the store paying 14.99

I do this ALL the time for everything that I buy for my pets. It works nicely, as long as the store co operates.

[pinsonpa]

Wow, that's huge fastfly...I'm going to have to try that with my local petsmart!

Grace...did you get that test kit yet?