New 29 gallon tank Should I buy a test kit to test the water?

Question

I was told by a few people that putting chemicals in cud screw the water over. I dont want to indanger my fish? HELP! wut should I do?

Answer 1

Yes, but you don't put the test chemicals in the tank. you test a small sample and then throw it away.

Answer 2

Definitely test the water, it doesn't matter how seasoned you jump start your tank, your adding beneficial bacteria, but it doesn't automatically cycle you tank. Bio Spira is the only product I have heard to work to cycle your tank. I have used cycle and stress zyme, and they are just giving your money away. The best thing to do is get a test, liquid, you can do 90-250 test per pack, it last longer than the strips (I have some that actually have gone bad) and don't tell me the right readings anymore. I have a chemical PH test, Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia test. You'd be better off getting the chemical version if you have alot of tanks or don't plan on using them often. You don't put the chemical in your water you take a 5ml sample and add 10 drops here, 3 drops there, or 5 drops here then you shake and wait five minutes and get your readings by comparing the color of the liquid to a card that comes with the test. Empty the completed test in the sink or toilet, DO NOT EMPTY INTO YOUR TANK!

Your good with the strips (they have a master kit) as they come in packs of 25 and better, if your going to use them right away, and with a new tank going your probably going to use it before their year expiration. I just seeded my 75 gallon tank with a used filter and all 25 pounds of gravel from my other tank with ornaments, the tank still has a reading of ammonia little but it is still slightly there. Nothing is written in stone, better safe than sorry! Your fishes life depends on it. Remember there is also fishless cycling I will include a link if your interested, GOOD LUCK, and remember, anything worth having is worth waiting for, I know it is hard sometimes, I am so impatient, I have fry and want them to get big so fast so I can put them in my larger tank and put my firemouths in my smaller tank, but I have to wait 3 more months, Come on you can do it!

http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_fishless.php

Answer 3

Buy a test kit to test the water. You will need to monitor ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH. The kit should come with a test tube so you don't actually put the chemicals in the tank.

Answer 4

It all depends on the fish you have.
I don't use a test kit but then I raise cheap fish like guppies and wags. I keep a sea shell in the tank to act as a natural buffer. If you can keep plants in the tank, that will take care of the ammonia.

many aquarist dont use plants because it increases the chances of introducing snails, but I have a remedy.
place the plants in a white bucket. Each day check for snails and change the water and bucket for one week. This allows what ever eggs attached to the plants to hatch. Snail larvae are microscopic and swim. So when you dump the water, you dump whatever larvae that were present. I recomend using water siphoned from an aquarium already up and running.

Answer 5

Unless you are a very well seasoned aquarium keeper, you should have an ammonia test kit to monitor the water until the tank cycles. You are right, most of the chemicals sold are not worth the bottle thy come in and should be avoided.

MM

Answer 6

pH= appropriate Ammonia: appropriate Nitrite: appropriate Nitrate: i will shop mine at 0.0ppm, as a results of fact i take advantage of a fertilizer for vegetation that reduces phosphates and nitrates to boot as fertilizing the vegetation, it somewhat is noted as, 7 Kugeln. Stocking checklist: appropriate, you somewhat have area for a Dwarf Gourami or maybe an Angelfish in case you ought to, a million Guppy desires 0.5g, and each and each Cory desires a gallon, so, you're using in basic terms 12g of the tank, you would be able to desire to upload a million-2 Angelfish or 3-4 Dwarf Gouramis and 3 Guppies or A bristle nosed pleco and 5 greater guppies or purely, 10 greater Guppies, purely as long as you do no longer exceed 25-30 fish, this is sweet that they have some room for growing to be and swimming. good success!

Answer 7

we have a 55 gllaon tank and dont have a test kit, u kinda learn on ur own what to do and where u should have things. ask a local pet store , they could tell u how the water and all that should be, i dont know where u livem but i live in NY and i know that if i think my water in my tank is bad, i can just bring a sample of it to the pet store and they will test it for me.

Answer 8

Yes, test the water. This does not involve putting chemicals in. Find your water parameters after setting for a couple of days and choose your fish according to what kind of water you have. It makes it easier.

Answer 9

The only neccesary chemical is a water dechlorinator. I use "Stress Coat". Yes, it is a good idea to get a test kit for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and ph at least to use regullarly for a while untill your tank cycles and you are more experienced.

Answer 10

you have to buy a water conditioner to get the ph right and buy a pH test kit they are not that expensive test your water every week.