API Test Kit Ammonia Level Readings HELP!
- Thread starter cutlass
- Start date
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
I use API as well, but I'll be the first to point out that they're not the best in the world in terms of accuracy. At bare minimum, I'd go out and get a new API test kit if I were you....and if you don't trust API, try a new brand test kit.
Also remember that how you care for your glassware is very important -- it should be cleaned thoroughly between tests. In a perfect world, one would wash their glassware with glassware detergent and water, rinse with DI water, and dry with acetone (displaces the water and evaporates quickly).....but I know of nobody who does this. At the very least, rinse it well with tap water, followed by a couple rinses with RODI water if you have it on hand, right after use. Before the next test, rinse once with RODI water and again in the tank water. Make sure you're shaking your ingredients and following the time requirements correctly, as the color DOES continue to darken the longer you wait. Also avoid touching the test tube with the applicator tip.
All these detailed directions just for testing the darn water. Isn't this hobby FUN!
Also remember that how you care for your glassware is very important -- it should be cleaned thoroughly between tests. In a perfect world, one would wash their glassware with glassware detergent and water, rinse with DI water, and dry with acetone (displaces the water and evaporates quickly).....but I know of nobody who does this. At the very least, rinse it well with tap water, followed by a couple rinses with RODI water if you have it on hand, right after use. Before the next test, rinse once with RODI water and again in the tank water. Make sure you're shaking your ingredients and following the time requirements correctly, as the color DOES continue to darken the longer you wait. Also avoid touching the test tube with the applicator tip.
All these detailed directions just for testing the darn water. Isn't this hobby FUN!
geoj
Active Member
Ive had my NANO up and running for some time now but i every time i check my ammonia level i get the same exact reading/color every time regardless if a water change was done. Heres a picture for reference
Are you using a dechlorinator each time you do water changes? A dechlorinator changes chlorine into ammonium. Ammonium is a form of ammonia that is less toxic and can be removed from the system by the bio-filter. The API test reads both types of ammonia as the same. The kit reads total ammonia. Also the test kit has an expiration as it gets older the test is less reliable. The API test kit is made inexpensively so all people can afford to test the water often. API has been around for a long time it is an old testing kit. You can use this kit but you have to learn how and what it is able to do. You get what you pay for. Most of the test will give a positive or negative answer that is fine for fish only tanks. Some of the tests are no good like the pH test. Yet out of all the brands of test that I have used there is none that all the test they sell work. So you just have to use them till you get a feel for the kit.