Reading water tests

[ckusnierek]

Just wondering when reading a water test should I look through the side of the test tube or down the end of the test tube? Looking through the side, I'm getting a lighter (less) reading than when I look down the tube. What is the proper way to read test results?

-Chris

[dobejazz]

What test kits are you using? I always look though the side of the container on mine

[Fly Guy]

It depends on which test and sometimes if you are going for a high range ort a low range reading can change which way you look at it as well.

What specific brand and test are we talking about??

[ckusnierek]

Its a API Master reef and aregular salt water. The reason I ask is that I have only had the tank up for 6 days and the amonioa and nitrites are at 0 the Ph is at 8.4 the nitrates are at 0 looking through the side or 10 looking down the tube. Is that fast to get to the end of the cycle??? Here is my setup:
75 gallon tank
100-120lbs LR
Pro Clear 125 wet/dry
Proclear 150 skimmer

I was tol with that much LR it cycle would be shortened is that true? Some of the LR had mushrooms, buttons, and toadstool on it that are looking really good. I think I'll start a new thread about extreemly short nitro cycles...
-Chris

[Fly Guy]

Aquarium pharmaceuticals brand is one of the most notoriously innacurate tests on the the market. Im not familiar with its tests and how you read it.......it should say in the directions though

I wouldnt worry about nitrates so much if you are wondering if the cycle is over though...more so the ammonia and nitrItes. Where did you get the rcok?? Was it fresh uncured or cured? Shipped or from lfs??

Being done cycling within a week isnt unheard of if the rock was already cured and not out of the water very long in transit from wherever you got it.

Were your tests showing ammonia nad nitrIte earlier in the week??

[ckusnierek]

The live wock was fully cured never out of the water I use my truck and large rubermaids. Theis was my first test other than alkalinity, calcuim and phosphates. I do also have the brown alge all over it started on wensday this also usually indicated teh end of the cycle doesn't it? I will go to LFS and have a sample tested.

[ckusnierek]

I think I need to goto bed since I missspelled everyother word in my last post

[Fly Guy]

lol

If it came out of an established reef or lfs and was already cured and cycled and never left the water in transit, there probably wasnt much cycle to speak of anyway.

[ckusnierek]

should I add a damsil or to to force a cycle?

[know-it-all]

1. always look down if you have a color chart to match to.
The light can reflect differently if you look through.

2. only add a damsel if you want a damsel in the tank.

3. and if you want a damsel in the tank, make it the last fish you add.

throw a cocktail shrimp in to help with the cycle

[Fly Guy]

Under the circumstances you describe, you prbably arent going to have any more cycle.

And if you were, defintely dont add a damsel. Its cruel and when its over you are left with a agressive hard to catch fish in yoru reef that will limit what other desirable fish you could put in there

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by know-it-all

1. always look down if you have a color chart to match to.

not always true for different tests and different ranges depending on the brand.

Salifert even has several tests which can go both ways

And i thought you KNEW IT ALL!!!!

[YLChik]

with the api test you want to hold them up to the white background and light. I think the ammonia is next to impossible to read, but the nitrite is easier - any shade of blue and you have none at least according to the test.... If it's purplish at all your cycle isn't done
HTH

FWIW I used cured rock and had about the same results - in a week and half or so

[salt-rookie]

I don't like API test kits either...I use Salifert exclusively!