A question about Aquarium Pharmaceuticals test kits

kyarnkid

kyarnkid

Member
I have used them before and I want some clarity on my test results. I tested my ammonia today and it most closely resembled the first color bar on the card(no ammonia). However, when I say it closely resembled the first one I did not mean it looked exactly like it. It resembled the first bar, but it looked chalky.
Does this mean that I am still showing ammonia or is the chalkyness from me shaking the test tube?
Also my tank is 9 weeks old and it is a 55 gallon. I have had a True Perc for two weeks and 2 yellow tail damsels for three weeks. I also have 10 astreas, 10 blue legs(I added these a week and a half ago), and 5 scarlet reefs(I added them Saturday).
Also how do you tell the difference on the nitrate chart. I think mine is zero, but then again it could be between the first and second bar on the color card. I cannot really tell.
 
kyarnkid

kyarnkid

Member
So I do have ammonia in my tank?
So the reading has to be identical to the chart? (meaning it cannot be that color with a chalky look)
 
fshhub

fshhub

Active Member
do you rinse the vials out??, salt or calcium residue, can cling to the walls of the vials, and would look chalky, if there is NO green(i think the AP testeri syellow and green based), then you ahve no ammonia, if it is bright yellow, and i agree with teh nitrate tester, the color chart is not most distinguishable(very close between the 2), but they are good test kits, but if you are in that range, you are probably getting close to zero, it does take some time, for a dsb to get all the nitrates out, thye need to grow and establish, too, one thing that may help, is to do your test, and read them with sunlight, household lighting, isn't the best to distinguish these colors with, and fog may your judgement a little
HTH
 
kris walker

kris walker

Active Member
Hi Kyarnkid,
I have the same exact kit you have for ammonia and nitrate. The ammonia one really stinks. I too have a very difficult time matching colors on it. It doesn't help that it only has 3 colors to represent the most important range for reef aquaria (0-0.5 ppm).
I would either (1) get another test kit (I just did today--get one that you have to look through both a transparent color scale and test compartment at the same time, and make sure the color scale is distinct), or (2) look for signs of stress in your fish--like rapid breathing, gasping for air at the top of the tank, or just awkward behavior. If the ammonia is 0.25-0.5, signs of stress will probably be apparent.
EDIT: and I agree with fshhub, color match for all test kits under sunlight if possible.
Cheers,
sam
 
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