J-Dog Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Just got tank going again, but I’m a little stuck with the cycle process. I’m using dry rock, but I bought some Ocean Direct Live Reef sand. I’m not sure using the sand will put my tank into the full tank cycle I need, but I don’t have a cycling test kit (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate) to make sure it’s working. Anyone have any advice that can help? Or anyone near Oregon City that would happen to have a test kit I could borrow or buy to test the water myself? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodus Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 The easiest way I found was to purchase a thing of Ammonia, get a Seachem Ammonia Alert test for the glass ($7), then daily pour enough in to read 1~2ppm of Ammonia. When you can drop it to 0 in 24 hours you are cycled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocboat Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I'm sure I have some API test kits for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate around here somewhere as well as some Fritz ammonium chloride to kick start that cycle into high gear. Let me know if you want to grab them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-Dog Posted February 2, 2018 Author Share Posted February 2, 2018 The problem is can’t find any place that sells pure ammonia 1 hour ago, Exodus said: The easiest way I found was to purchase a thing of Ammonia, get a Seachem Ammonia Alert test for the glass ($7), then daily pour enough in to read 1~2ppm of Ammonia. When you can drop it to 0 in 24 hours you are cycled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodus Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 6 minutes ago, J-Dog said: The problem is can’t find any place that sells pure ammonia Thats ok, even dollar store Ammonia works its just diluted with water requiring the use of more. This is where the Seachem test comes handy so you can visually check every 5 minutes to see where you are at opposed to having to repeat titration tests only guessing by the shade and color card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexinverts Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 The easiest way is to add some of this stuff, along with a few invertebrates to feed the cycle. Ammonia is cheaper, however. https://www.amazon.com/DrTims-Aquatics-Nitrifying-Bacteria-Cycling/dp/B001LUMZ4C/ref=pd_sbs_199_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002DVTFGE&pd_rd_r=XMDNGR2KW75MCKVY5MFT&pd_rd_w=uNAZZ&pd_rd_wg=uyjyF&refRID=XMDNGR2KW75MCKVY5MFT&th=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manny Tavan Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 ace hardware has pure ammonia - it's like $3 a bottle but you'll only need a few mls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashy Fins Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 I'm in Oregon City and have API tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and high pH, but I see their expiration dates range from 5/17 to 7/17. Not sure how accurate they'd be, considering, but you're welcome to them if you want. They're just collecting dust with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-Dog Posted February 3, 2018 Author Share Posted February 3, 2018 13 hours ago, Flashy Fins said: I'm in Oregon City and have API tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and high pH, but I see their expiration dates range from 5/17 to 7/17. Not sure how accurate they'd be, considering, but you're welcome to them if you want. They're just collecting dust with me. Thanks for the offer, but ocboat is going to let me use his kit. If something goes bad, I'll drop u a PM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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