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New Member
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Last Login: 4/11/2012 1:13:48 PM
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| I'm cycling with fish. Therefore, I'm doing daily water test and water changes atleast twice a week, if not more. However, this is the first ammonia reading I have gotten. It was .5 this morning. I just did a water change, with gravel vac. a couple of days ago.. So do I need to suck the gravel again so soon..or would it be acceptable to simply take out 15-20% of the water and replace it? Or should I just add a little bit of Amiquel? ALSO: I wanted to add, how bad are the STRIP TEST? Most of you say they are bad..why are they so bad? You would think if they make a product it has to work? Thanks for your help!
125 Gallon Aquarium: 4 Discus, 6 Cardinal Tetras, 16 Red Eye Tetras, 2 Flame Tetras, 3 Cory Catfish
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 6/21/2012 8:40:03 PM
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Strip tests read not only the harmful ammonia but less harmful nitrites and can sometimes yield a inaccurate answer. Definitley change the water and a gravel siphon wont hurt. Just be careful how often you do it. You dont want to remove all the beneficial bacteria present and make your situation worse!
Fish are friends, not food!!
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Senior Member
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 10:01:40 AM
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I wouldn't vacuum your gravel bed.
Test strips are fine. Yes, liquid tests are probably more accurate. A digital tester is even more accurate than liquid or strips assuming it is calibrated. But how much accuracy do we need for general aquarium keeping? Your test strips are fine and it is good you are using them to monitor your tank's cycle. Your fish will appreciate the good care.
SGN
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Fish Moderator
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I agree with Stephen.
Yes, the liquid kits are more accurate, but only for a certain length of time, and even so, they are certainly accurate enough for this application.
Don't vaccuum the gravel bed. That is one place, in addition to the filter, that will begin to accumulate a lot of bacteria, and you don't want to remove any while you're in the process of cycling.
55 gallon
Baby - lionhead/ryukin cross
Westie - lionhead/ryukin cross
Speedy Rodriguez - oranda
Currently searching for a good new tankmate!
planted 29 gallon
3 red eye tetras
4 cherry barbs
2 cardinal tetras
4 albino cories
2 Bolivian rams
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/11/2012 1:13:48 PM
Posts: 95,
Visits: 214
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| Thanks for the information! I have been cleaning the gravel....trying to keep things nice and clean for my fish... But I'll back off a bit... I was just scared when I got the ammonia reading you know? But I won't clean the gravel so often now...
125 Gallon Aquarium: 4 Discus, 6 Cardinal Tetras, 16 Red Eye Tetras, 2 Flame Tetras, 3 Cory Catfish
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