amonia alert badges-do they work?

Tabasco1 · Apr 12, 2011

I am in the process of setting up my QT and rock curing stations. I am looking at these as options to have in the systems. Has anybody used them and if so, what has your experience been?

Thanks!

Electrobes · Apr 12, 2011

I've used them in the past but never really gave them much credit for doing much. If anything I compare them to hydrometers.

swannyson7 · Apr 12, 2011

I got one for free with something I bought and I threw it in the sump, but it's nothing I would rely on. Chances are, it wouldn't register before you were already aware of a problem due to corals looking ticked off
'

fsu1dolfan · Apr 12, 2011

Never heard of it. So it's a montior that you put in your tank to alert you if there are traces of ammonia?

Tabasco1 · Apr 12, 2011

Aquarium Water Quality & Testing: Seachem Ammonia Alert Device

This is an example. I wasnt thinking of using it for the DT, but using it in my QT and in the container that I am setting up to cure my rock. So that I don't have to test daily. The initial feedback is not so positive. Dang.

btkrausen · Apr 12, 2011

I've seen a bunch of quarantine related threads that had nothing but positive things to say about it. I'm currently using one right now in my tank, need to test ammonia to see how it compares to the Ammonia Alert.

Tabasco1 · Apr 12, 2011

BTkrausen-thanks! Well, I just ordered one to put in the rock curing station. SO I will definately follow up with this as well and let ya'll know how it goes. It was only $6 and thought that was worth a trial. I got a regular test kit as well and will definately compare to make sure that all is good.

Thanks!

CJO · Apr 12, 2011

I put one in with my copepod culture to see if things went south. Can't tell you how well it's worked as I haven't had an issue with the culture and the badge has never changed colors.

CJ

Tabasco1 · Apr 12, 2011

HA! So I guess no news is bad news with that. And seems to be working just fine. I guess with these things you don't ever really want them to "work".

swannyson7 · Apr 12, 2011

For something like curing rock or a FOWLR, I would give it a whirl, but I just wouldn't trust it in an SPS reef or anything. The one I got for free (Who knows how old it was, so that may be a factor) said ammonia levels were "safe" a couple weeks after swithcing over to my 180, but when I used a test kit I was coming up with around 0.75 ppm. May be a good supplement to testing, but by no means a replacement. Just my .02

Tabasco1 · Apr 12, 2011

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification. Going to use it for the rock and I got scared off of using it for the QT, but we will see how it does on the rock, cuz I am sure there will be amonia present for me to check on. I will let you know and if it is good I will use it on future QT efforts.

Amici · Apr 16, 2011

They are effective for a couple weeks IME but only really trigger when you get HIGH ammonia content in the tank, which at that point odds are its already done some damage. IMO the best thing is to know your tank, test with a quality kit and visually inspect your inhabitants for signs of stress regularly.

btkrausen · Apr 16, 2011

After doing a few water changes this weekend, mine went back to yellow, so I assume its working correctly. I do have a brand new Salifert ammonia test it, so I'll try that and compare once it starts reading again.