A neat article comparing ammonia test kits

[Spare time]

I just saw this and figured I'd share it all with you. It's a short article describing different ways test kits detect ammonia and how they demonstrated known ammonia concentrations. I hadn't seen this article before but some of you might.

Week 13: Ammonia, not as simple as you think: the ideal tank cycle | 52 Weeks of Reefing #BRS160

It's Week 13 of 52 Weeks of Reefing, and we're talking ammonia, bacteria, and the nitrogen cycle. We will explore the methods of using bacteria to convert this highly toxic ammonia into safer nitrite and nitrate as well as the final stage of nitrogen gas where it can leave the tank for good...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Sean Clark]

Pretty high praise for the API test.

 

[Spare time]

Pretty high praise for the API test.

Honestly, after having used api ammonia tests hundreds of times across many tanks and kits, I don't think it is as bad as people say. You just have to memorize what cycled tank water looks like and what it doesn't. I use that test without the card for people because I have used it so much to the point where I can simply say yep that's not a cycled tank or yep you can add fish now lol. That is why I like that the article mentions that in api ammonia test with seawater can fool you into seeing a trace amount showing up when its actually just precipitation. I wish they would say this in their instructions so that people don't get endlessly confused, but it is something you can tell over repeated use. In other words, the api test is difficult for those who have never used it, but simple for those who have used it plenty of times.

 

[Spare time]

Honestly, after having used api ammonia tests hundreds of times across many tanks and kits, I don't think it is as bad as people say. You just have to memorize what cycled tank water looks like and what it doesn't. I use that test without the card for people because I have used it so much to the point where I can simply say yep that's not a cycled tank or yep you can add fish now lol. That is why I like that the article mentions that in api ammonia test with seawater can fool you into seeing a trace amount showing up when its actually just precipitation. I wish they would say this in their instructions so that people don't get endlessly confused, but it is something you can tell over repeated use. In other words, the api test is difficult for those who have never used it, but simple for those who have used it plenty of times.

I should also say that this is coming from a colorblind person lol

 

[Azedenkae]

Yeah I've never had major issues with the API test kits to be honest. Their resolution is not great at higher concentrations, but it serves its purposes well. Importantly, its tests are repeatable - it yields the same results each time, at least for me, so eh.