API test kit Colors Confusion

[Hamza Hamid]

0 ppm nitrite
pH 7.6 (low)
nitrate 5 ppm
ammonia needs to be redone..
Are you cycling a new system?

can u check my new test and let me know please.

 

[Hamza Hamid]

Remember that the vial must be held against the white card to read the vial. It can make a difference for some folks when reading it.

Have a look to my new test thanks.

 

[Reeferdood]

can u check my new test and let me know please.

Ammonia is .50 (high)
pH is 7.6 (low)
Everything else looks ok.

 

[Hamza Hamid]

Ammonia is .50 (high)
pH is 7.6 (low)
Everything else looks ok.

shall i do an immediate water change.? for ammonia? PH stays constant cant do anything. Shall i add some PH buffer ?

 

[captan42]

Honestly I would test again, I have had the API kit give me wonky results doing them back to back. Especially the ammonia and PH. I actually shake up all the bottles and use the syringe from Red Sea kit to get 5ml.

I just don’t trust the results and have stopped testing with the API kit altogether because of no faith in their accuracy.

Before you take fish out or do anything I would grab another ammonia kit or at least one of the badge testers to either validate your ammonia is high.

 

[Hamza Hamid]

Honestly I would test again, I have had the API kit give me wonky results doing them back to back. Especially the ammonia and PH. I actually shake up all the bottles and use the syringe from Red Sea kit to get 5ml.

I just don’t trust the results and have stopped testing with the API kit altogether because of no faith in their accuracy.

Before you take fish out or do anything I would grab another ammonia kit or at least one of the badge testers to either validate your ammonia is high.

Thanks to share your great experience with api. will do the test again and my tank is only 6 gallon and i think 1 gallon water change would be an good idea also safe side. what you say?

 

[40B Knasty]

Did your nitrites EVER show up on your test kits while cycling the tank?

 

[Hamza Hamid]

Did your nitrites EVER show up on your test kits while cycling the tank?

Actually my tank is running since January 2018 but never done a test i have just done a weekly water change religiously. Now i am planning to add corals as it was 3 clown fish tank only. I have done my 1st test last week results are uploaded in the same post.

 

[40B Knasty]

I wouldn't put anything in if you are reading ammonia and such high Alk. Also with clowns I would put 2 in. 3 will leave one out of the bounded circle between two. Which will lead to major bullying of that one fish left out till it is probably dead.

 

[40B Knasty]

I want to know why you are getting ammonia. Did you change a biological media out for a new one, add or subtract live rock, or pull the sand while sand bed.

 

[Hamza Hamid]

I want to know why you are getting ammonia. Did you change a biological media out for a new one, add or subtract live rock, or pull the sand while sand bed.

No change in biological media no added or subtract live rock.
last week i have removed the live rock, brushed with toothbrush and put back in the same place, did this in same tank water while water change. Also Power cut for 30 to 40 mins 2 days ago.
Feeding garlic dipped food.
Dont know what is going on.

 

[Hamza Hamid]

I want to know why you are getting ammonia. Did you change a biological media out for a new one, add or subtract live rock, or pull the sand while sand bed.

And also ni do vaccum sand with siphon weekly on water change.

 

[Hamza Hamid]

Honestly I would test again, I have had the API kit give me wonky results doing them back to back. Especially the ammonia and PH. I actually shake up all the bottles and use the syringe from Red Sea kit to get 5ml.

I just don’t trust the results and have stopped testing with the API kit altogether because of no faith in their accuracy.

Before you take fish out or do anything I would grab another ammonia kit or at least one of the badge testers to either validate your ammonia is high.

As u suggestd. Done it again 2 PH and 2 Ammonia both looks same. What u say?

 

[Hamza Hamid]

No change in biological media no added or subtract live rock.
last week i have removed the live rock, brushed with toothbrush and put back in the same place, did this in same tank water while water change. Also Power cut for 30 to 40 mins 2 days ago.
Feeding garlic dipped food.
Dont know what is going on.

done the test again to be sure as others advised this.

 

[40B Knasty]

Do me a favor. Test the water that you are using for a water change to see if that has ammonia in it, before it goes in your tank.

 

[Hamza Hamid]

Do me a favor. Test the water that you are using for a water change to see if that has ammonia in it, before it goes in your tank.

Ohhh never thought of it. But i am using RODI only. still let me test. thanks.

 

[Hamza Hamid]

Do me a favor. Test the water that you are using for a water change to see if that has ammonia in it, before it goes in your tank.

U mean shall i test the freshwater or after salt mix?

 

[40B Knasty]

U mean shall i test the freshwater or after salt mix?

Both. Might as well.

 

[Hamza Hamid]

Both. Might as well.

Tested my tank again 2days after water change and also tested my rodi also. All 3 test are ammonia. pics attached.

 

[40B Knasty]

I am going to guess the middle vile of the 3 is your RO/DI. Well that's good to know it is not your source water. So now we have figured out it is your tank. So something is going on in there.
1) Do you have powerheads? How many?
2) What kind of filtration do have (HOB, Canister, or Sump)? What is the biological media?