Cycling Help - Different Tests giving different results

[Garf]

I’m highly curious to see if the api test goes to yellow after running the purigen

Yeah, the purigen may actually remove some of the organics. I would throw both bags at it. At least there are no fishy lives at risk, just time.

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

I would much rather trust the Salifert test than the API. I have had a problem with an API test showing no ammonia when it was so high it killed the fish.

 

[Garf]

Yeah look the grey hard stuff is Cement
I cracked the sh*ts with trying coral gum/super glue and got a bit carried away with it

Cement ! Looks genuine from here.

 

[Garf]

Normal cement?

 

[ReefRusty]

@brandon429 its the same rock I used in my tank if it helps. Dead on arrival to Australia but was once real reef rock with the purple spray added.

 

[DarkReefer]

Normal cement?

Nah, it's reef stuff, I think it was called Stone Fix?
Sets so quickly it was amazing after having the issues trying to get my aquascape to stay together and stay stable.
Looks a bit average in person, but one day it'll get covered up Not as easy to see under a blue light either.

Hoping for that low/0 reading tomorrow when I test, we'll see

 

[brandon429]

Hey neat that also gives us a neat test comparison between the two tanks, small world for sure

 

[paul barker]

welcome to the group I think you missing the point on this cycling thing It takes time let the ammonia ride out to it go to 0 and no2 hit 0 and no3 will be high then you cycle is done then change half the water see what your no3 level is after that if it under 20 you can put fish a fish in after a week look at no3 keep the under 20 for fish only for LPS UNDER 10 SPS WILL THAT A LOT DEFEATED THAT I WOULDN'T THINK ABOUT SPS FOR A YEAR

 

[brandon429]

But there’s this point too:

in this thread since it’s a cycling one, everyone is on board api is infallible

but if we change the title and I link a fully matured reef showing free ammonia, the diagnostics instantly change into api being notoriously wrong. Same test kit, two different post titles get opposite recommends

 

[346700984]

I would lean toward trusting the Salifert test as API is notoriously inaccurate. However, if the Ammonia is truly @ 8ppm I would do some large water changes and bring that down. That would be high enough to stop a cycle all together. The general rule, IIRC, is that you don't want to exceed 5ppm at any point.

I agree. Even our fish place said API is unreliable and not to use it. Back when we tested at home with API we read multiple online reviews saying API tests always say there’s green/ammonia when there isn’t and that all the parameters are off. So we had our fish store test and they use Salifert and another type and our results better reflected what we saw in our tank, which were happy heathy fish. Our fish place told us not to use API because everyone has the same issues with results being off. Also, there’s an ammonia reader you can get for $7 that hangs in the tank and gives a constant reading. Happy cycling!

 

[brandon429]

EMERGENCY - Crazy Ammonia spike

Hey all, This tank has been up for 1+ year and its been doing great with SPS, LPS etc. Today I had 1 sps peel out and I thought maybe it was the new carbon I changed out, went to rent out a par meter to make sure had them test the water just for ***** and giggles as I test it myself x2 weekly...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

So we had our fish store test and they use Salifert and another type and our results better reflected what we saw in our tank, which were happy heathy fish. Our fish place told us not to use API because everyone has the same issues with results being off. Also, there’s an ammonia reader you can get for $7 that hangs in the tank and gives a constant reading. Happy cycling!

Who sells the Ammonia Monitor ?

 

[346700984]

Who sells the Ammonia Monitor ?

As much as we try not to buy stuff from Petco, we got it there.

 

[Garf]

Who sells the Ammonia Monitor ?

Seachem Ammonia Alert. It’s a bit vague, but does show you the ups and the downs when cycling.

 

[346700984]

Seachem Ammonia Alert. It’s a bit vague, but does show you the ups and the downs when cycling.

Yes, that’s the one. It has a suction cup for attaching inside the tank. Minimum investment for additional/comparative parameter peace of mind.

 

[DarkReefer]

If API is so widely 'known' to give false readings, how can they continue to get away with selling test kits?
Seems they aren't fit for purpose ?

 

[DarkReefer]

So Day 17
Test results as below;

Salifert - Again hard to pick, is it 1.5 or 0.5, Leaning toward 1.5 personally

API - 1.0ppm - so has not moved from yesterday

pH I would say 7.8-8 IRL (photo definitely shows 8 though)

Nitrates appear to be 0 in this photo however IRL I believe it to be 0.25 as there is a definite purple hue to it, not blue.

Nitrates appear to be 0

 

[brandon429]

And the water smells great

so your poly filter is dead. Admit thats funny

see how anything that disagrees with Api is dead

but not here, where the titles of the thread changed:

everyone agreed api was off base here. The way we read a thread title affects how much we trust api, though the kit never changes.

 

[Garf]

So Day 17
Test results as below;

Salifert - Again hard to pick, is it 1.5 or 0.5, Leaning toward 1.5 personally

API - 1.0ppm - so has not moved from yesterday

pH I would say 7.8-8 IRL (photo definitely shows 8 though)

Nitrates appear to be 0 in this photo however IRL I believe it to be 0.25 as there is a definite purple hue to it, not blue.

Nitrates appear to be 0

Cycle has started by the looks of it.

 

[brandon429]

We should run the purigen another full day looking for api down on the ammonia, I want to see how long it takes for the tester to give permission

yes, the no nitrate is concerning, the bone dead nitrite which usually over reports I haven’t seen a light blue zero in my lifetime lol but we said only ammonia matters and we are sticking to it. The fact ammonia won’t budge even after purigen x2 well thats why reefing never gets boring.

you have a thread that would convince literally every reader it’s stalled and the bottle bac was dead, I love it. My position could not possibly be more left field lol

but check post #51 updates. They were for sure the reading was real. About three grand in reef life disagrees