Ammonia badge at 0.05 ppm

[coronarex]

I am seeing a reading of 0.05 ppm on the ammonia badge of my qt tank. Even after doing a 90% water change. My qt tank has been up and running for 6 months. I have qt’d 3 other fish in it prior. What could be the result of this? Would adding a bacteria supplement help?

 

[BedrockIOMC]

are you testing the water also? I wouldnt just use the badge to get your reading. Test it and see what that shows. Even test your fresh water as well. THe first I would do thought is test that water. your badge could be off by that much.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I am seeing a reading of 0.05 ppm on the ammonia badge of my qt tank. Even after doing a 90% water change. My qt tank has been up and running for 6 months. I have qt’d 3 other fish in it prior. What could be the result of this? Would adding a bacteria supplement help?

I would definitely recommend adding a bacteria in a bottle; however, if this was done in the past you should already have enough bacteria in the system to denitrification.

How old is the ammonia badge? Is there a lot of detritus in the system?

 

[coronarex]

what are you testing the water also? I wouldnt just use the badge to get your reading. Test it and see what that shows. Even test your fresh water as well. THe first I would do thought is test that water. your badge could be off by that much.

Thank you. I will definitely test the water and not solely rely on the badge.

 

[coronarex]

I would definitely recommend adding a bacteria in a bottle; however, if this was done in the past you should already have enough bacteria in the system to denitrification.

How old is the ammonia badge? Is there a lot of detritus in the system?

I agree. I will test the water, see what I get, then add some bacteria. It’s a qt tank so there are periods when the system has no fish. This particular time, no fish for about 3 weeks. Can some bacteria die off Bc of this? Badge is 6 months old and tank is very very clean.

 

[ihavecrabs]

Nope, bacteria will be fine, even if not fed during that period.

I wouldn't worry about it. If you did a 90% WC, then either your salt mix has some organics that are breaking down or the badge is off slightly.

At 6 months it might just be worth it to replace it. They say that they are good for a year, but at $8... might be cheaper than buying another ammonia test kit

 

[coronarex]

Nope, bacteria will be fine, even if not fed during that period.

I wouldn't worry about it. If you did a 90% WC, then either your salt mix has some organics that are breaking down or the badge is off slightly.

At 6 months it might just be worth it to replace it. They say that they are good for a year, but at $8... might be cheaper than buying another ammonia test kit

Thank you. I tested the water and got zero. Appreciate all of your help