SnazzyShrimp Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 Hi, I recently set up my 10 gallon tank. It's been running for around 6 days, I'm yet to see if it's cycled because I got some test strips from pets at home and turns out they're rubbish + they don't test ammonia. I'm getting the API Master Test Kit instead of those though, my mum says she'll only be able to order it in a couple of days when she gets enough money, until then I'm stuck with nothing to test my ammonia with. Other than that the tank is doing pretty well, I used my last test strip today to test the tank, here are the readings: GH - 180 KH - 40 pH - 7.0 Nitrites - 0 Nitrates - 40 (I will update the ammonia above when I get the test kit) Are all of these suitable for shrimp? Also, I didn't test for a few days, I literally only tested the day I set it up, yesterday & today (I did it twice today because I messed the first one up, the pack only comes with four) so I don't know if I missed the cycle or what? Once I get the ammonia readings will I be able to tell its cycled? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loumeer Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 If you have nitrates its a good sign meaning the cycle is working. I have no idea what those gH and kH numbers mean. I am used to the API test kit for gH and kH which usually range from 1-15 maximum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoBlue98 Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 6 days isn't near enough to cycle.. I know it's difficult to wait but it has to be done. Are you adding an ammonia source? Seeding the tank with beneficial bacteria? Filter media from another tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jem_xxiii Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 like stated above, 6 days are is not enough to properly cycle a tank. give it some more time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zodiac Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 you'll also need api gh/kh test...that's not in the master kit. when you get the master kit,test your tap water for nitrate. if that's 40 ppm for nitrate,that's your tap water...it's no good to use. it takes like 3 weeks to cycle a tank. Loumeer,they're ppm GH - 180 ppm = ~10 dghKH - 40 ppm = ~2-3 dkh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuri Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 DAMN, looking at your tapwater my tapwater is heaven for my tanks! i have from my tapwater: gh: between 10-12 kh: between 7-8 ph: 7,8 NO3: 5-10 MAX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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