Ammonia badge contradicts API test

[Mariette]

This is for my qt.

Test kit showing 0.25 ppm, ammonia badge showing 0.05 ppm.

Yesterday, i tested ammonia at 0.5.
Did a 50% water change, and added the badge. Another 40% water change today.

Seeded qt w 1 live rock from DT. Ammonia spike could be due to lack of beneficial bacteria. Should I add some filter media from DT? Keep going w heavy water changes? Get a new test kit? What do I doooooo?

 

[Quietman]

I never could get those badges to read with my test kits. Any positive indication of ammonia is probably too much. No need to do water changes unless you have livestock in there. Mature media always a plus to help cycle faster. Had a couple bumps in ammonia in my QT. Used Polyfilter (keep it on hand for emergencies and to help remove coral toxins) and WC because had livestock. Couple days came back down to undetectable.