How much time is enoug for reading

[Mith]

Hey, I took a reading tonight of my NitrItes. Initially it read .5ppm. THEN I left it there for about 20-30 minutes (forgot about it). And when I returned, it read ZERO NitrItes.

I'm doing a second reading as I speak. Which is more accurate...the five minute reading or the 20 minute reading because if it's the 20 minute reading, then I'm CYCLED!

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

HURRY!.... LOL

[Lady Hobbs]

From the very low reading you had the other day, I'd say you are cycled.

Congrats!

[Mith]

From the very low reading you had the other day, I'd say you are cycled.

Congrats!


So even though initially (five minutes) it reads .5ppm.... it's more accurate if I let it sit for longer than five minutes???


Now assuming the answer you give is yes, it IS more accurate if I wait longer.... now I have to keep the amonia at 1-2ppm until I get fish. BUT before I get fish, I hvae to do a 50-75% water change and get the nitrAtes under 20 right???

[Sharon]

That's right Mith....Now the fun starts!thumbs2:

[sandy_n]

I can hear the panic/excitement beginning to start...do you need a paper bag to breathe into ?! :hmm3grin2orange:
Congratulations. You've cycled !!! :19:

[Mith]

OK... now hear me out. This is TOO BIG to make a mistake. I read your replies... and I'm going to ask this once more....


I re-did the test. It actually takes around 30 minutes for it to go away. Keeping within the five minute standard, I'm still .5 ppm


I will ask this once more and won't ask again depending on what you guys say.


Is it more accurate the longer you wait? Answer me that and we're done! Tell me it's more accurate at five minutes.... sigh, and I've still got a bit more to go.... tell me it's more accurate the longer you wait and I'M DONE!


PS... NitrAtes are roughly 130-150ppm



BTW... if you give me the "it's more accurate the longer you wait" answer... then I'm going to run outside... in my underware... and yell, "HEY WORLD, I'M FREEK'N CYCLED!" lol


BTW... it's been 40 minutes since I tested and it's down to .25ppm.... so the first one must have been longer than 40 minutes.... sigh

[Lady Hobbs]

Just do the test and within 10 minutes you should have your proper results. Make sure the glass vial is well rinsed out between tests.

Do a large water change and prepare to add fish .......IF YOU GET ZERO. If you can not add fish today, add a bit of ammonia. You need not add clear to 2 on the tester but enough to keep your bacteria alive.

Your tank may need another day or two to finish. If so, add ammonia to 2.

[Mith]

Oooook..... then I guess my zero reading was a bit premature since it was about 40-45 minutes. But I'm still lower over all... like .25.... so I'm happy for now.

Thanks. :22:

[fins_n_fur]

Follow the directions that came with the test kit. If the test kit tells to add the drops and mix with the water and check the colour in two minutes, then do that. If it tells you to wait 5 minutes before checking, then do that. You are making way too difficult for yourself :hmm3grin2orange: In any case, you are just about done with your cycle!

[Mith]

Thanks guys! I'm very confident that on thursday when I do my water my Ites will be zero. My trAtes are so high Ill probably have to do at least a 70% water change to bring my trAtes to under 20ppm. Doing that big of a water change SHOULD reomove all measurable amounts of trItes.

Now its bed time. Good nite and thanks again!

[Lady Hobbs]

Good luck and I think Thursday should do it for you, too. A huge water change when done is normal. You added a lot of ammonia to your tank so that's very normal. Next time I talk to you, I betcha you'll have some fish!

[Sharon]

....if he's decided what he's getting! Oh no, another major trauma for Mith!!! Have you decided yet, Mith???:hmm3grin2orange:

[Mith]

....if he's decided what he's getting! Oh no, another major trauma for Mith!!! Have you decided yet, Mith???:hmm3grin2orange:

LOL....yup, trauma up the bazooo! But Miss Hobbs said that since I already have Cichlid substrate I should probably stick with cichlids. So that's probably what I'll get.

I'm gonna go ahead and make a major water change and I suspect that will bring my nitrItes to zero...then I'll run to the fish store and get what ever peacocks they happen to have. There are a couple other fish that this particular fish store has that I really liked.

Since I really want to make sure the water's perfect, I'll probably only get five fish to start with, give it a week and see how they do, then keep adding more each week.