API ammonia test - results don't match chart???
- Thread starter forddna
- Start date
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by forddna
http:///forum/post/2588643
My test water looks like Mountain Dew. This is the second time, so I don't think it's a fluke.
I'm hoping someone with the API Master Test Kit will check in...none of the colors on the chart look yellow..they are all shades of green and brownish green.
Did you shake the bottles to be certain that they were mixed? I always do before testing. API kits can give you a false possitive sometimes. The color will be between the colors for 0 and .25. Test water that you know has no ammonia in it to check the accuracy of the test. You can bring a sample to your LFS to double check it as well.
http:///forum/post/2588643
My test water looks like Mountain Dew. This is the second time, so I don't think it's a fluke.
I'm hoping someone with the API Master Test Kit will check in...none of the colors on the chart look yellow..they are all shades of green and brownish green.
Did you shake the bottles to be certain that they were mixed? I always do before testing. API kits can give you a false possitive sometimes. The color will be between the colors for 0 and .25. Test water that you know has no ammonia in it to check the accuracy of the test. You can bring a sample to your LFS to double check it as well.
rtspeed
Member
here are the direction also,
INSTRUCTIONS FORTHE
iFreshwaterlSaltwater
N AMMONIATESTKIT
. Instructions in English
. Mode d' emploi
en fran<;:ais .Instruccionesen
Espanol
Why test for Ammonia?
Tropical fish continually release ammonia (NH3)
directly into the aquarium through their gills, urine,
and solid waste. Uneaten food and other decaying
organic matter also add ammonia to the water. A
natural mechanism exists that controls ammonia in
the aquarium - the biological filter. It is made up of
nitrifying bacteria. which live in the gravel bed.
However. as with any natural process. imbalances
can occur. Testing for the presence of toxic
ammonia is essential. so that once detected, steps
can be taken to remove it. Otherwise, ammonia in
the aquarium will damage gill membranes, and
prevent fish from carrying on normal respiration.
High levels of ammonia quickly lead to fish death.
Even trace amounts stress fish, suppressing their
Immune system and thereby Increasing the
likelihood of disease outbreaks and subsequent fish
loss.
Testing Tips
This salicylate based ammonia test kit reads the total
ammonia level in parts per million (ppm) which are
equivalent to milligrams per Liter (mg/L) from 0 ppm
to 8.0 ppm (mg/L). in either fresh or saltwater
aquariums. Thus. there are two Ammonia Test Color
Charts - one for freshwater aquariums. and one for
saltwater aquariums - so be sure to use the correct
chart for your type of aquarium when interpreting
test results. The Freshwater Ammonia Test Color Chart
is the appropriate chart to use for testing freshwater
aquariums to which salt has been added.
Directions for Testing Ammonia Levels ~Read thoroughly before testing. Do not
U allow Test Solutions to get into
aquarium.
To remove childproot safety cap: With
"''''''''''" one hand. push red tab left with thumb
while unscrewing cap with free hand.
tlJ
1. Filla clean test tube with 5 ml of
water to be tested (to the line on
the tube).
8 2. Add 8 drops from Ammonia Test
Solution Bottle #1. holding the
dropper bottle upside down In a
completely vertical position to
assure uniformity of drops added
to the water sample.
~
,
tlJ'~
"3. Al'I~8 ffl!5j5Sm5n'f Ammonia Test
Solution Bottle #2, holding the
dropper bottle upside down in a
completely vertical position to
assure uniformity of drops added
to the water sampl~.
4. Cap the test tube and shake
vigorously for 5 seconds. Do not
hold finger over the open end of
the tube, as this may affect the
test results.
5. Wait 5 minutes for the color to
develop.
6. Read the test results by matching
the test solution against the
Ammonia Test Color Chart. The
tube should be viewed against
the white area beside the color
chart. Color comparisons
are best made in a well-litarea.
The closest match indicates the
ppm (mg/L) of ammonia in the
water sample. Rinsethe test tuber />
with clean water after each use.
What the Test Results Mean
In a new freshwater or saltwater aquarium. the
ammonia level may surge to 6 ppm (mg/L) or more.
and then fall rapidly as the biological filter becomes
established. The ammonia will be converted to
nitrite (also toxic). then to nitrate. This process may
take several weeks. Use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals
STRESSZYME@to speed up the development of the
biological filter. In an established aquarium. the
ammonia level should always remain at 0 ppm
(mg/L). The presence of ammonia indicates possible
over-feeding, too many fish. or inadequate
biological filtration.
The ammonia level is not an indication of the nitrite
level; nitrite is another toxic
INSTRUCTIONS FORTHE
iFreshwaterlSaltwater
N AMMONIATESTKIT
. Instructions in English
. Mode d' emploi
en fran<;:ais .Instruccionesen
Espanol
Why test for Ammonia?
Tropical fish continually release ammonia (NH3)
directly into the aquarium through their gills, urine,
and solid waste. Uneaten food and other decaying
organic matter also add ammonia to the water. A
natural mechanism exists that controls ammonia in
the aquarium - the biological filter. It is made up of
nitrifying bacteria. which live in the gravel bed.
However. as with any natural process. imbalances
can occur. Testing for the presence of toxic
ammonia is essential. so that once detected, steps
can be taken to remove it. Otherwise, ammonia in
the aquarium will damage gill membranes, and
prevent fish from carrying on normal respiration.
High levels of ammonia quickly lead to fish death.
Even trace amounts stress fish, suppressing their
Immune system and thereby Increasing the
likelihood of disease outbreaks and subsequent fish
loss.
Testing Tips
This salicylate based ammonia test kit reads the total
ammonia level in parts per million (ppm) which are
equivalent to milligrams per Liter (mg/L) from 0 ppm
to 8.0 ppm (mg/L). in either fresh or saltwater
aquariums. Thus. there are two Ammonia Test Color
Charts - one for freshwater aquariums. and one for
saltwater aquariums - so be sure to use the correct
chart for your type of aquarium when interpreting
test results. The Freshwater Ammonia Test Color Chart
is the appropriate chart to use for testing freshwater
aquariums to which salt has been added.
Directions for Testing Ammonia Levels ~Read thoroughly before testing. Do not
U allow Test Solutions to get into
aquarium.
To remove childproot safety cap: With
"''''''''''" one hand. push red tab left with thumb
while unscrewing cap with free hand.
tlJ
1. Filla clean test tube with 5 ml of
water to be tested (to the line on
the tube).
8 2. Add 8 drops from Ammonia Test
Solution Bottle #1. holding the
dropper bottle upside down In a
completely vertical position to
assure uniformity of drops added
to the water sample.
~
,
tlJ'~
"3. Al'I~8 ffl!5j5Sm5n'f Ammonia Test
Solution Bottle #2, holding the
dropper bottle upside down in a
completely vertical position to
assure uniformity of drops added
to the water sampl~.
4. Cap the test tube and shake
vigorously for 5 seconds. Do not
hold finger over the open end of
the tube, as this may affect the
test results.
5. Wait 5 minutes for the color to
develop.
6. Read the test results by matching
the test solution against the
Ammonia Test Color Chart. The
tube should be viewed against
the white area beside the color
chart. Color comparisons
are best made in a well-litarea.
The closest match indicates the
ppm (mg/L) of ammonia in the
water sample. Rinsethe test tuber />
with clean water after each use.
What the Test Results Mean
In a new freshwater or saltwater aquarium. the
ammonia level may surge to 6 ppm (mg/L) or more.
and then fall rapidly as the biological filter becomes
established. The ammonia will be converted to
nitrite (also toxic). then to nitrate. This process may
take several weeks. Use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals
STRESSZYME@to speed up the development of the
biological filter. In an established aquarium. the
ammonia level should always remain at 0 ppm
(mg/L). The presence of ammonia indicates possible
over-feeding, too many fish. or inadequate
biological filtration.
The ammonia level is not an indication of the nitrite
level; nitrite is another toxic
forddna
Member
Originally Posted by prime311
http:///forum/post/2589134
It's between 0 and .5. As you can see, the lower ends of the ammonia scale are a bit yellowish. Or maybe you have slight coloration problems with your eyesight you aren't aware of?
If I had coloration problems, it would affect the card and the water.
btw, that is not what my ammonia card looks like. The first two readings are shades of baby poop. Your first one looks bright yellow to me.
Okay, I took a photo. Beside the first two readings, I added what looks like a closer match to the actual color on the card. I couldn't get a good photo.
The rest of the colors are off a bit, too, but I just did the first two..
http:///forum/post/2589134
It's between 0 and .5. As you can see, the lower ends of the ammonia scale are a bit yellowish. Or maybe you have slight coloration problems with your eyesight you aren't aware of?
If I had coloration problems, it would affect the card and the water.
btw, that is not what my ammonia card looks like. The first two readings are shades of baby poop. Your first one looks bright yellow to me.
Okay, I took a photo. Beside the first two readings, I added what looks like a closer match to the actual color on the card. I couldn't get a good photo.
The rest of the colors are off a bit, too, but I just did the first two..
prime311
Active Member
Oops heh, didnt notice it was the freshwater card in the pic. I sitill get that color though sometimes and it looks like its between 0 and .5 to me. Also, my tank has had LR just over a week now and was from an established tank like yours was. Only diff is my rock did spend some time exposed to air so I was expecting some ammonia readings. Whats your PH at? I check my numbers daily and my PH had been steady at 8.2 for a few days then it was 8.8 yesterday.
U
usirchchris
Guest
Little off the wall here...but what is that can with the picture of the girl on it? I have never seen one like that...I am a sucker for marketing, and would buy that regardless of the actual product.
sieldan
New Member
Originally Posted by usirchchris
http:///forum/post/2591443
Little off the wall here...but what is that can with the picture of the girl on it? I have never seen one like that...I am a sucker for marketing, and would buy that regardless of the actual product.
Mt Dew. They have some 'special' containers out right now. Look for the ones in the 12oz bottles. Pretty cool.
http:///forum/post/2591443
Little off the wall here...but what is that can with the picture of the girl on it? I have never seen one like that...I am a sucker for marketing, and would buy that regardless of the actual product.
Mt Dew. They have some 'special' containers out right now. Look for the ones in the 12oz bottles. Pretty cool.
U
usirchchris
Guest
Mt Dew. They have some 'special' containers out right now. Look for the ones in the 12oz bottles. Pretty cool.
No kidding?? That may have seemed obvious to most as she had it sitting right there with the glass of mt. dew....I personally drink about 48 cans of mt. dew just at home in a week, and I have not seen these...might have to cross state lines this weekend
.
No kidding?? That may have seemed obvious to most as she had it sitting right there with the glass of mt. dew....I personally drink about 48 cans of mt. dew just at home in a week, and I have not seen these...might have to cross state lines this weekend
