Just how cycled am i?

Ive got a bit of a predicament. My tanks been running 2 months now.... I have witnessed ammonia go to 0...nitrite to 0 and nitrate present. I then bought a secondary external filter thats been running maybe 9 nine days now. Tonight i did a test....and this is whats showing



Now to my very limited knowledge if i had cycled ammonia would be 0 (not .25)... nitrite is ok and nitrate is what looks like .5ppm but could be 10 ppm. Why is this? how to i have 0 nitrite....and 10 nitrate....yet have .25ppm?

Im baffled......

Is it my new filter cause the tank to semi cycle.....? any ideas?

Cheeers guys,

Gilly (sean)

P.s dont mind ph..... im in the process of lowering it

The second filter in itself should not have done anything drastic unless you've filled the filter with food.

Are you still using that Prime stuff?

When doing an ammonia test, it is of little use unless the pH and temperature of the measurement water and temperature of the tank is also taken.

ian

I am ian.... i used 1 capfull every week when doing 25% water changes.... im thinking of just using the maxi zoo home brand cause i picked up a rake load of it the other day... probably less harsh on the water....

So how exactly ian would i get the most accurate possible ammonia test using the test kit i have?

Gilly wrote:

I am ian.... i used 1 capfull every week when doing 25% water changes.... im thinking of just using the maxi zoo home brand cause i picked up a rake load of it the other day... probably less harsh on the water....

So how exactly ian would i get the most accurate possible ammonia test using the test kit i have?

Personally, I would not use the Prime.
When using a conditioner, all the ammmonia removing qualities of that conditioner really needs to do is make sure that when chloramines in the tap water are broken down with the release of ammonia that the condition just deals with that ammonia and is not a remedy for high ammonia within the tank.

You should compare the ammonia from the tap.........but you need to also measure pH and temperature.

The test kit you have is a total ammonia test kit....it tests ammonia + ammonium + ammonia/ammonium chelated within products such as Prime.
You need to measure your pH of the tank water and the temperature. With the test result we can calculate (and be quite closely accurate) the actual ammonia in the water (but that is a problem if using Prime as it cannot be used with an ammonia test kit).

Ian

So what dechlorinator do you recommend Ian? If not prime, what do you find works best....Thx.

Gonefishy wrote:

So what dechlorinator do you recommend Ian? If not prime, what do you find works best....Thx.

For dechlorinating the water, any dechlorinator will do so long as it is guaranteed to also dechlorinate chloramines.

But, there are some added benefits of certain additions to the conditioner:
Tetra AquaSafe is, in my opinion, the best declorinating conditioner.
However, in recent times (and due to costs and avaialability of AquaSafe in all places) I have been using JBL dechlorinator. It is very close to being as good as Tetra.

Tetra AquaSafe will remove the ammonia produced in the chloramine dechlorination process, but it is not intended to be used to remove ammonia build up in a tank.

Hey Ian,

Does Prime not dechlorinate chloramines because i've been thinking of changing to this?

I'm currently using Easy-Life Fluid Filter Medium but was thinking of changing to Prime because it's a lot cheaper.

Would you stick with Easy Life instead of Prime?

Sorry don't mean to hijack thread.

Thanks,

Alan.

Ski wrote:

Hey Ian,

Does Prime not dechlorinate chloramines because i've been thinking of changing to this?

I'm currently using Easy-Life Fluid Filter Medium but was thinking of changing to Prime because it's a lot cheaper.

Would you stick with Easy Life instead of Prime?

Sorry don't mean to hijack thread.

Thanks,

Alan.

Does Prime not dechlorinate chloramines? Yes it does .

Personally I think its great . Best Value around , lasts for ages and does what its meant to

That fecking API test kit again,for over a year that kit was giving me a small ammonia reading in all my tanks,worried to bits so i was,bringing water samples to the LFS every other week and getting a big fat Zero every time........Now i'm not for a second suggesting there is no trace of ammonia in your tank but as i have since found,other people have had the same issue and it is just with the ammonia test.......Get a water sample to your LFS and see what they say.

Ger

haha i got a bit of a dilemma....my lfs uses the api test kit.... i did a water change yesterday and added some polyfilter.... might be a different story today

Prime not only dechlorinates normal chlorine but also dechlorinates chloramines and then removes the ammonia from the dechlorination of chloramine.
So it is a very powerful dechlorinator.

It is in the top few dechlorinators.

I'm not too happy with it as it is not a great all-round conditioner.

I also need water for dart frogs....and Prime would not be conducive to the long-term health.
Hydrosulfite salts are not my favourite way to dechlorinate, whereas I find Sodium Hydroxymethane Sulfinate (as used in AquaSafe) is far more superior for my needs.

Some dechlorinators are not great at handling ammonia from chloramines and may need addition of something else (such as adding API Ammon-Lock as a back-up)

ian

@ger310. Is there a test kit you would suggest instead of the API?

very interesting reading Lads
particularly interested in the Hydrosulfite salts Vs Sodium Hydroxymethane Sulfinate ?
explains the Rotten Eggs smell that seems to be almost unique to prime...
I think Prime is a good product, it's highly concentrated etc. etc. but I'd agree with Ian in saying that I prefer AquaSafe...

Prime is 5ml for every 200l (I think)
AquaSafe is 2ml for every 10l (I think)
both dechlorinators deal with Chlorine & Chloramine, both bind heavy metals, both protect the Slime Coat but I think I prefer the sound of the Sodium Hydroxymethane Sulfinate method...



Des

Thanks for the all the info. I think i'll have to give prime a go once my easy life runs out.

Q_Comets wrote:

@ger310. Is there a test kit you would suggest instead of the API?

Howya,yeh i splashed out on a JBL Testlab kit but it was a bit pricey if i recall but for piece of mind i'm glad i have it,but that's just my opinion.

Ger

Ski wrote:

Thanks for the all the info. I think i'll have to give prime a go once my easy life runs out.

I used prime before i used Easy-Life Fluid Filter Medium and for me there is no comparison,that Easy-Life stuff is the bizz

Ger

organic aqua would give instant cycling and fish can be added immediately.it would cut out all the expense of testing and the hassle of waiting for weeks and even then as fish are added and fed the cycle can go out of synch so easily.
with organic there is no downside and at the end of the month the tank can be allowed to cycle normally as the good nitrifying etc. bacteria is building in the background anyway and the organic can then be discontinued.
i am constantly amazed that all new tanks are not being set up in this completely trouble free way.

Thx ger the JBL kit looks like quality stuff. When the API runs out I will have to consider it.

derek wrote:

...i am constantly amazed that all new tanks are not being set up in this completely trouble free way.

I must admit, I've never used OA but that sounds like an interesting idea
must look into it...
is Organic Dave still knocking about ?




Des

des wrote:

derek wrote:

...i am constantly amazed that all new tanks are not being set up in this completely trouble free way.

I must admit, I've never used OA but that sounds like an interesting idea
must look into it...
is Organic Dave still knocking about ?




Des

You make him sound like an old codger.

igmillichip wrote:

des wrote:

derek wrote:

...i am constantly amazed that all new tanks are not being set up in this completely trouble free way.

I must admit, I've never used OA but that sounds like an interesting idea
must look into it...
is Organic Dave still knocking about ?




Des

You make him sound like an old codger.

Hahaha
Sorry, that's not My intention, just haven't seen Him in a while ?

what do You think of OA Ian ?


Des

des wrote:

igmillichip wrote:

des wrote:

derek wrote:

...i am constantly amazed that all new tanks are not being set up in this completely trouble free way.

I must admit, I've never used OA but that sounds like an interesting idea
must look into it...
is Organic Dave still knocking about ?




Des

You make him sound like an old codger.

Hahaha
Sorry, that's not My intention, just haven't seen Him in a while ?

what do You think of OA Ian ?


Des

organic steve not dave, i think hes living in wexford these days but i'm sure he can be contacted easily enough. yes you should check it out des, it is a great troubleshooter aid as it works instantly.

derek wrote:

organic steve not dave, i think hes living in wexford these days but i'm sure he can be contacted easily enough. yes you should check it out des, it is a great troubleshooter aid as it works instantly.

Ahh Yeah, that's rite, Organic Steve
cheers Derek

I'm definitely going to look in to trying it out, sounds like a winner for the Customer that is in shock when You have to explain to Them that the Tank needs to be Cycled etc. etc.

I was put off it initially by the fact that You can't get a correct result when You test the water...



Des