free & total ammonia...what's the difference?

[albionpo]

Does anyone understand the difference between the two & which one should I be checking for when I do my regular water checks?

 

[seatank]

you do not want any amonia in your tank readings should be
amonia 0
nitrits 0
nitrats 0
salinaty .023
ph 8.5
heat 78 degrees
this should help you.

 

[albionpo]

Well, I'm currently trying to cycle my tank so I think that I DO want an ammonia spike...I just don't understand if I'm supposed to check one or the other or both? ( free & total ) In my test kit, they are two seperate tests. Anyway, are you sure the PH should be that high? I thought around 8.2 or 8.3 was optimal. I guess it depends on the types of fish you keep? Anyway, thanks for your help. Anyone else have any info on the two different ammonia tests? Thanks...

 

[seatank]

ph can be anywere between 8.0-8.5
test them both.
you should not have any ammo in your tank at all.

 

[fishin family]

The test kit we purchased checks them both on the same test strip (two pads ones free ones total) But not sure which one (or both) to look for when cycling your tank.... sorry

 

[albionpo]

SEATANK: I'm sorry, I must be missing something...How am I supposed to build the biological filtration in my tank without first introducing some form of ammonia ( to be converted to nitrites & later to nitrates )? Do I not WANT an ammonia spike so that I build the bacteria neccesary to filter my tank? Please enlighten me...

 

[albionpo]

Hey, Thanks for the info I've been testing for both as I figure they're both probably important but I'm only registering on the TOTAL ammonia and nothing on the FREE just yet. Anyway, I'll keep testing both. Although, just by definition, I figure the TOTAL would be more accurate so anyway...Thanks again!!

 

[albionpo]

You are probably right about the 1.3 factor, can't say that I know anything about it but what I HAVE learned is that the ammonia existing in two forms ( free ammonia & ionized ammonia ) is in an equilibrium dependent upon the PH level. Apparantly, of the two, free ammonia is the most toxic and increases proportionately to increasing PH. ( according to my test kit info ) So I guess that means that if your PH goes up and you have fish die...it's probably caused by a FREE ammonia spike?? Does that sound right?? And I wonder if a TOTAL ( ionized ) ammonia test would even pick it up? Hmmm. I don't know. Anyway, I'm still registering 0 free ammonia & .2 on the total. Well, I hope when this cycle is complete I never have to see it again in EITHER form!!