Cyling without ammonia tester

[Lady Hobbs]

Is a total pain!

I have changed the gravel in 3 tanks this week so trying to cycle 3 at once. *sighs and groans* And wouldn't you just know it.........the ammonia tester ran out and I can't buy them here. No way am I going to order one and pay shipping on one bottle of ammonia tester. (I have the nitrite and nitrate.)

I don't know how people can cycling without a test kit! So here I am, changing water in 3 tanks daily not knowing what my ammonia levels are. What a pain. With angels in all 3 tanks, I just can't the chance.

Two large orders were placed online last week and stupid me never checked my test kit. duh

[kimmers318]

Did you save any of the gravel and put it into a filter or mesh bag? That helps tremendously when you remove the gravel to put a new substrate in. I know, I have done it several times and have seen little or no ammonia spikes. Also, if you have any bio wheels in other tanks give them a swish or 2 in the "iffy" tanks and that will help put some more of the good bacteria in there for you.
Good luck with it, hopefully the fish will pull thru ok.

[Lady Hobbs]

Thanks Kimmers. I do have my ugly blue gravel yet but haven't got anything to put it in. Maybe I can get a pair of nylons from one of the old ladies here. LOL God knows it's been years since I had a pair.

[sergo]

i guess at this point you'll have to regular w/c's to be safe

[cocoa_pleco]

Thanks Kimmers. I do have my ugly blue gravel yet but haven't got anything to put it in. Maybe I can get a pair of nylons from one of the old ladies here. LOL God knows it's been years since I had a pair.


i cant STAND colored gravel anymore. My old 33g had blue, and my 20g now has green and white. Drives me NUTS. not natural enough

[zackish]

There isn't a store near you anywhere? Dam, where do you live haahha

[Lady Hobbs]

20 miles from town

[hungryhound]

20 miles from town

You are in the middle of the Huron Manistee aren't you? While it is gorgeous and stunning, civilization is few and far between.

[Lady Hobbs]

Actually, I'm between Bay City and Traverse City.
You'd think a person that spent most of her life in the woods would know more about wood. I went looking for branches today and I don't know pine from apple from oak to ash to maple. I'm surprised I know what a palm tree is!

I filled a bunch of bags of seasoned gravel and tossed in the tank. I've done this before often enough but always had a tester. It's like driving blind-folded.

[Drumachine09]

It's like driving blind-folded.


Whats wrong with that?


You know enough about aquariums, you should be able to pull it off. Let us know how it goes though.

You need to be so good, you can TASTE the ppm of ammonia!