Going Shopping...Help Me Out

djminus1

djminus1

Member
My 90 gallon began its cycling today so I guess the next step is to go get some test kits to monitor the cycle progress. Can someone give me a shopping list of test kits I should buy for now? I would prefer for the list to include brand names as well.
Also, How does this sound for the cycle...
80 lbs of LS
20 lbs of LR
2 Raw Coctail Shrimp
Plenty of water movement
Thanks!
:thinking:
 
djminus1

djminus1

Member
Before you tell me to add more LR, know that I plan to add it in increments. There will be tons of LR before the cycle is complete.
 
ty_05_f

ty_05_f

Active Member
I use the brand Salifert.
Just some general tests
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Ph
If you plan to keep corals:
Calcium
Alkalinity
There are many others but these are just the basics.
 
snipe

snipe

Active Member
I have a hagen master test kit really good and it cost me like $60 or something like that. It has 10 tests all together.
 
T

tizzo

Guest
You musta got lucky snipe!! I had that test kit and ended up throwing it out. They don't tell you that you cannot use the same vial to test different things so I tried to label the vials, and of course my p-touch tape wouldn't stick!! The PH that showed in the vial was not even on the chart. Hagen said it was probably a defective kit, but they weren't about to replace it. Go figure... I hope they've improved that product. It's neat having it all conveniently in one case.
For these reasons, I'll hafta side with Ty... Salifert. I have been very pleased with them for a long time and have no plans to try any other.
 
snipe

snipe

Active Member
nope. And I test my things in the same tubes "broke one had to get a new one lol they fall and it dont take mutch" and my stuff reads fine. Im pretty sure they have done something with it. Mine tells me to wash it out with hot tap water and never mix chems that arent suppose to be and dont let it touch my skin "some always dose". I havent had a problem with it so far. And I got it for $60 and I have seen them price as high as $125.
 
djminus1

djminus1

Member

Originally posted by djminus1
Also, How does this sound for the cycle...
80 lbs of LS
20 lbs of LR
2 Raw Coctail Shrimp
Plenty of water movement
Thanks!
:thinking:
Any comments? Am I doing this right?
 
snipe

snipe

Active Member
I say so but 80lbs of sand isnt a hole lot in a 90gallon tank. I have 60 or 80 in my 55 I dont remember how mutch.
 
djminus1

djminus1

Member
I actually added another 20 lbs of LS about 10 minutes ago for a total of 100 lbs. Added another 10 lbs of LR too.
 
smarls

smarls

Member
DJ,
You are doing things just right.
You are using shrimp not fish. You have lots of LR and LS, although you may at some later stage choose to add more (or not, depending on what you like).
You got flow, now go get some test kits! Start with amonia, nitrate, nitrite so you can test for your cycle.
You may later need a phosphate test kit, a PH test kit, a dK test kit, and a calcium test kit.
That is all the kits i have, and it is plenty! Some people test for other items, magnesium, strontium, etc. But I think the ones listed above are all you will need....and you can get away with only having the Amonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate kits until your cycle is over.
HTH
Stewart
 
plomanto

plomanto

Member
Yep cyceling is the hardest part but the pay back for patience is huge.... sounds like your on the right track:jumping:
 
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