Help! Figure 8 puffer pacing and not eating

[piffpuffer]

Everyone, I'm completely stumped. This is crazy. I'm out of Amm test drops so I went back to LFS to pick up another test kit and this time got the API test kit (they only had freshwater). Since I had the API kit opened up, I used that to test the water parameters of the tank and it gave me COMPLETELY different results from NT Labs kit the LFS recommended to me the first time I got my tank. I did a test with my usual one right after the API results were cleared.
API is in blue & yellowy-orange, NT Labs (my usual one) is pink. Take a look!



If the tank really has been ready for some time... *facepalm* cant believe this, everyone uses API so I should trust that right?
There's a fishless cycling guide by the puffer forum, saying to do a 75% WC and its ready. And other suggests doing another small ammonia dose to see if it goes down to 0 within 24h, then it's ready for a WC. What would you guys suggest?

 

[piffpuffer]

update: retested API to confirm, and it's exactly the same result

 

[Deadeye]

Imo I’d trust the api results. It’s just far closer to what I’d expect to be the case.

 

[Lotsoffishandthings]

Imo I’d trust the api results. It’s just far closer to what I’d expect to be the case.

Agreed, API isn’t perfect but the last one’s just didn’t make sense. Where was all that nitrate coming from.

 

[piffpuffer]

So the tank is ready then! Should i do a small amm dose and wait overnight to make sure or we're really good to go?

 

[Deadeye]

I think you’re good to go

 

[piffpuffer]

Thank you all for your help and advice since the start, can't express how grateful I am!! He's in his tank now and seems overjoyed, already has a favourite plant and rode the bubbles! All the MTS were removed prior as well. Here he is!!



Thank you again everyone!

 

[Deadeye]

I personally like to keep MTS around - they do a good job of substrate sifting. Not a huge deal if you get rid of them (especially if you’re worried about the puffer), though I’m sure a few escaped your notice…

 

[piffpuffer]

probably haha! I'll keep an eye out for any leftover ones, if my puff doesnt disturb them, I might just leave them there. if theres any babies, im sure my puff would have a great time hunting them down

 

[phreeflow]

Never heard of NT Labs

I personally like to keep MTS around - they do a good job of substrate sifting. Not a huge deal if you get rid of them (especially if you’re worried about the puffer), though I’m sure a few escaped your notice…

Deadeye’s right in that MTS do have their uses. I’m just biased because I hate those things. I just nuked two tanks with hot water and h202 to get rid of them buggers. Bred so fast, they’d coat the walls and neither the assassin snails, loaches, or puffers ever kept their numbers down.

Your puffer’s looking good!