I like the look of that test kit, seems to be accurate and the colours seem very easy to match, unlike some I could mention but no names...Salifert!Looks like I have 1.5ppm ammonia.
So just gonna sit tight and wait for it to drop.
Cycling first tank with Microbacter 7. What to expect?
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kilnakorr
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It's ok. But once opened I find it goes bad in a few months. Not a problem when cycling a tank though, and easy to spot as you will have readings of zero when it goes bad.
kilnakorr
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We'll see.
I got a 'new' smaller skimmer today (skimmate 7205 - noisy as h***). While removing the other skimmer I noticed the rubbermat under it, was really slimy. I also noticed the water was a bit cloudy. I replaced the rubbermat with som filtermat, and investigated the slime-issue.
Seems to happen to several people using MB7, as it contains a carbon source.
So for now, I'm not dosing MB7, and have diverted the flow through my UV, hoping to clear up the water a bit.
My Dr.Tims one&only should artive within 10 days or so, so might not do anything until then.
kilnakorr
Well-Known Member
Just thought I'd keep updating the progress.
It's not eady capturing the right color on camera, with the changing weather here. It's a little darker this morning, but shows plenty of ammonia still present.
As side by side images. 4 days of progress, or lack of it.
It's not eady capturing the right color on camera, with the changing weather here. It's a little darker this morning, but shows plenty of ammonia still present.
As side by side images. 4 days of progress, or lack of it.
Last edited:
kilnakorr
Well-Known Member
Last picture of the ammonia test for now.
It dosn't seem to change at all, so daily testing is simply a waste. Microbacter 7 may have a use in this hobby, but doesn't seem to cycle a tank at all (at least not in my case).
It dosn't seem to change at all, so daily testing is simply a waste. Microbacter 7 may have a use in this hobby, but doesn't seem to cycle a tank at all (at least not in my case).
I just did one to be safe. I have used this test many times, so I'm pretty confident with the results.
Here's the fresh saltwater result:
What brand is that, it’s the best colour change I’ve seen for ammonia.
kilnakorr
Well-Known Member
An update. Been 3 days since last test, so thought I see if anything had happened:
3days ago test, vs new test.
Definitely lighter green than previous tests. Seems this cycle will take some time to complete
3days ago test, vs new test.
Definitely lighter green than previous tests. Seems this cycle will take some time to complete
kilnakorr
Well-Known Member
I was going to wait till tomorrow, but after a lot of other water tests, I thought why not.
Still a little green hue, but it's coming down nicely.
I've never seen much nitrite though. Just a tiny amount:
Top and side view.
Nitrate looks surprisingly high. Hard to match the colors, but considering I dosed to around 1.5ppm ammonia It looks much higher than expected (25-50ppm):
Question is, should I redose ammonia to eg. 1ppm and see how fast it gets converted, or maybe wait a day or two before redosing?
Still a little green hue, but it's coming down nicely.
I've never seen much nitrite though. Just a tiny amount:
Top and side view.
Nitrate looks surprisingly high. Hard to match the colors, but considering I dosed to around 1.5ppm ammonia It looks much higher than expected (25-50ppm):
Question is, should I redose ammonia to eg. 1ppm and see how fast it gets converted, or maybe wait a day or two before redosing?
davidcalgary29
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Nice progress!
I'm not sure that I'll choose a Brightwell product to cycle my tanks in the future. I set up a Fluval Evo on December 24th and cycled using Dr. Tim's (and bottled ammonium chloride); it cycled in nine days. I also set up a Nuvo Fusion on the 26th, using XLM and QuikCykl, exactly as per the directions; the cycle still hasn't finished. For the record, I ordered the Dr. Tim's solution online, and the bacteria survived shipping in -20C weather. I bought the MIcrobacter XLM in a store.
I'm not sure that I'll choose a Brightwell product to cycle my tanks in the future. I set up a Fluval Evo on December 24th and cycled using Dr. Tim's (and bottled ammonium chloride); it cycled in nine days. I also set up a Nuvo Fusion on the 26th, using XLM and QuikCykl, exactly as per the directions; the cycle still hasn't finished. For the record, I ordered the Dr. Tim's solution online, and the bacteria survived shipping in -20C weather. I bought the MIcrobacter XLM in a store.
I was going to wait till tomorrow, but after a lot of other water tests, I thought why not.
Still a little green hue, but it's coming down nicely.
I've never seen much nitrite though. Just a tiny amount:
Top and side view.
Nitrate looks surprisingly high. Hard to match the colors, but considering I dosed to around 1.5ppm ammonia It looks much higher than expected (25-50ppm):
Question is, should I redose ammonia to eg. 1ppm and see how fast it gets converted, or maybe wait a day or two before redosing?
Depends on the nitrate test, most will show a false high reading until the nitrites are zero.
I would wait till zero before doing the ammonia test, it’s a test so not really telling you much if you do it whilst ammonia is still present.
I would still do the test just to be sure, it’ll only add a day onto the cycle.
If still unsure then, and you want to splash the cash a bit more, you could add a bottle Fritz bacteria or similar but that would be just to give you a bit of comfort, shouldn’t be needed.
