Ammonia Checker

[StPatrick89]

What do y’all think of the Seachem Ammonia Checker?

 

[Miami Reef]

I use it. I believe the 0ppm has a slight yellow tinge to it which makes it look like there’s minuscule ammonia. Other than that it’s really accurate and gets the job done.

 

[StPatrick89]

I use it. I believe the 0ppm has a slight yellow tinge to it which makes it look like there’s minuscule ammonia. Other than that it’s really accurate and gets the job done.

Do you use it on your main tank or a QT tank?

 

[Miami Reef]

Do you use it on your main tank or a QT tank?

Main tank. I will say that I don’t test ammonia anymore ever since my tank finished cycling.

if you are using ammonia tests in a tank with medications (like copper) be sure to research because most require certain test kits to detect the ammonia with medicine present.

 

[brandon429]

There’s no need for one in any display. To have one in a display means the keeper thinks ammonia can rise without a cause, but it can’t. If fish disease wipes out half a tank of fish, and that causes an ammonia event, having the tester won’t beat being attentive to the tank and removing dead fish before they rot. In any setting where ammonia wouldn’t be totally controlled always in a display, we would not need the meter to find the cause of the event well before free ammonia would harm a reef tank


matter of fact, the only thing I can think of in all of reefing that would cause a display to lose control over ammonia is half the fish dying all at once, not even one or two fish. Like eight at once, left in to degrade totally / keeper on vacation/ that’d do it for a little while.

in a restricted surface area qt tank they’re great tools and justified since a low surface area system might not control its ammonia.

don’t think these are infallible from misreads, we have a few incorrect badges on file.


how people handle fish disease affects their display biofilters possibly. If we use the methods from zoos and the fish disease forum here, no display tank is ever given meds therefore no display can fail to control ammonia. In any setting where someone is using a dose of medication into a display tank to affect fish disease, the shortcut that does not work option from a bottle, then who knows how their display may behave regarding ammonia- they’re winging the whole thing at this point.

 

[StPatrick89]

Main tank. I will say that I don’t test ammonia anymore ever since my tank finished cycling.

if you are using ammonia tests in a tank with medications (like copper) be sure to research because most require certain test kits to detect the ammonia with medicine present.

Oh ok, I understand. Thank you

 

[StPatrick89]

There’s no need for one in any display. To have one in a display means the keeper thinks ammonia can rise without a cause, but it can’t. If fish disease wipes out half a tank of fish, and that causes an ammonia event, having the tester won’t beat being attentive to the tank and removing dead fish before they rot. In any setting where ammonia wouldn’t be totally controlled always in a display, we would not need the meter to find the cause of the event well before free ammonia would harm a reef tank


matter of fact, the only thing I can think of in all of reefing that would cause a display to lose control over ammonia is half the fish dying all at once, not even one or two fish. Like eight at once, that’d do it for a little while.

in a restricted surface area qt tank they’re great tools and justified since a low surface area system might not control its ammonia.

don’t think these are infallible from misreads, we have a few incorrect badges on file.


how people handle fish disease affects their display ammonia. If we use the methods from zoos and the fish disease forum here, no display tank is ever given meds therefore no display can fail to control ammonia. In any setting where someone is using a dose of medication into a display tank to affect fish disease, the made up no foundation in truth option, then who knows how their display may behave regarding ammonia, they’re winging the whole thing at this point.

So not even over feeding can raise ammonia to a high amount? Just asking for knowledge reason

 

[Miami Reef]

There’s no need for one in any display. To have one in a display means the keeper thinks ammonia can rise without a cause, but it can’t. If fish disease wipes out half a tank of fish, and that causes an ammonia event, having the tester won’t beat being attentive to the tank and removing dead fish before they rot. In any setting where ammonia wouldn’t be totally controlled always in a display, we would not need the meter to find the cause of the event well before free ammonia would harm a reef tank


matter of fact, the only thing I can think of in all of reefing that would cause a display to lose control over ammonia is half the fish dying all at once, not even one or two fish. Like eight at once, that’d do it for a little while.

in a restricted surface area qt tank they’re great tools and justified since a low surface area system might not control its ammonia.

don’t think these are infallible from misreads, we have a few incorrect badges on file.


how people handle fish disease affects their display ammonia. If we use the methods from zoos and the fish disease forum here, no display tank is ever given meds therefore no display can fail to control ammonia. In any setting where someone is using a dose of medication into a display tank to affect fish disease, the made up no foundation in truth option, then who knows how their display may behave regarding ammonia, they’re winging the whole thing at this point.

I believe ammonia testing is crucial in new display tanks.

I also believe that ammonia can rise in new tanks with sudden large bio load increases over a very short period of time.

 

[Miami Reef]

So not even over feeding can raise ammonia to a high amount? Just asking for knowledge reason

Food will raise ammonia, but a mature tank can easily convert it into the end product of nitrates. The older the tank the less risk with ammonia. I believe after a few months a tank can handle any sudden (reasonable) food increase. Just don’t dump a whole container of pellets and you’ll be very well!

 

[Dan_P]

There’s no need for one in any display. To have one in a display means the keeper thinks ammonia can rise without a cause, but it can’t. If fish disease wipes out half a tank of fish, and that causes an ammonia event, having the tester won’t beat being attentive to the tank and removing dead fish before they rot. In any setting where ammonia wouldn’t be totally controlled always in a display, we would not need the meter to find the cause of the event well before free ammonia would harm a reef tank


matter of fact, the only thing I can think of in all of reefing that would cause a display to lose control over ammonia is half the fish dying all at once, not even one or two fish. Like eight at once, left in to degrade totally / keeper on vacation/ that’d do it for a little while.

in a restricted surface area qt tank they’re great tools and justified since a low surface area system might not control its ammonia.

don’t think these are infallible from misreads, we have a few incorrect badges on file.


how people handle fish disease affects their display biofilters possibly. If we use the methods from zoos and the fish disease forum here, no display tank is ever given meds therefore no display can fail to control ammonia. In any setting where someone is using a dose of medication into a display tank to affect fish disease, the shortcut that does not work option from a bottle, then who knows how their display may behave regarding ammonia- they’re winging the whole thing at this point.

Hey, I was going to say “there is no need”. So, why do people bother with a $200 Seneye?

 

[StPatrick89]

Hey, I was going to say “there is no need”. So, why do people bother with a $200 Seneye?

Sheesh, that’s expensive. Being new to the hobby I try to avoid buying things I don’t need.

 

[mrlavalamp]

Hey, I was going to say “there is no need”. So, why do people bother with a $200 Seneye?

People love gadgets that report things to them.

It does seem like a waste in a tank that even has a basic level of establishment.

In a new reef where the cycle is just about finished and the owner is trying to start adding things, it's a tool that makes sense, light meter and pH monitor especially. Ammonia meter still there in case the new additions go too fast I guess.

I never bought one because they never seemed worth it in the long run.

 

[StPatrick89]

People love gadgets that report things to them.

It does seem like a waste in a tank that even has a basic level of establishment.

In a new reef where the cycle is just about finished and the owner is trying to start adding things, it's a tool that makes sense, light meter and pH monitor especially. Ammonia meter still there in case the new additions go too fast I guess.

I never bought one because they never seemed worth it in the long run.

I’m Fowlr so I’m pretty sure I don’t need one. Although I’m thinking about setting up a 55G in addition to try and do some reefing

 

[mrlavalamp]

I wouldn't buy one even then, but to each their own. They just aren't cost effective for what they offer, and considering the cost of consumables especially.

If you are interested in monitors and controllers the apex or hydros systems are much better feature AND function wise, but also much more expensive.