Help identify ammonia level, etc. (using API freshwater?)

[Leo.LA]

I have a API freshwater master test kit that I bought back in 2017/2018, but the expiration in the bottles are still good.

I just set up my nano tank (Fluval evo 13.5g)

• RO/DI water
• 10lbs of live rock (real reef) from LFS which is supposedly cured but the guy said "I would still cure it to not blame the store" but I transported it in a bucket with water and saw some pods
• Bio-Spira (Instant Ocean Nitrifying Bacteria
• A snail and hermit crab
• No fish or corals yet

Based on my research, it looks like I can reuse this kit for saltwater (ammonia, nitrite, nitrates) for the most part, but the color card is different. I've seen different card by googling it so not sure which is correct. I also don't know if I can test my pH level using the high-range?

Today is now the 4th day and the ammonia color is making me insane since I do not have the color card for the saltwater.

Attached are the pics. I tried getting pics from different angle and lighting but I think what I got is very close in person.

yellowish/greenish - ammonia
blue - nitrite
light orange - nitrate
purple/violet - high range pH

If I am going to interpret this using the freshwater card, it's looking like
ammonia - either 0 but most close to 0.25ppm
nitrite - 0 ppm
nitrates - 5-10ppm
ph - 8.4

I'm hoping someone who has the correct color card can compare with theirs. Thanks for the help!

 

[Nick Steele]

Here’s a link to a site with both freshwater and saltwater color cards on it. I used my api freshwater during my cycle for ammo and nitrite and nitrate as well.

Free Downloads | Pump & Filter Instructions | Test Kit charts

Free Aquarium and Pond Downloads. Test Kit Instructions & color charts. Via Aqua powerhead & Multi-filter directions. UV installation diagrams.

www.americanaquariumproducts.com

 

[lapin]

My ipinion
If you have pods then you dont have very much ammonia. You can ghost feed for a while, if you want to increase the bacteria level before adding fish. Live Rock plus Bio-Spira is plenty of good stuff.

 

[Leo.LA]

Here’s a link to a site with both freshwater and saltwater color cards on it. I used my api freshwater during my cycle for ammo and nitrite and nitrate as well.

Free Downloads | Pump & Filter Instructions | Test Kit charts

Free Aquarium and Pond Downloads. Test Kit Instructions & color charts. Via Aqua powerhead & Multi-filter directions. UV installation diagrams.

www.americanaquariumproducts.com

Thanks, it's looking like my ammonia is at 0 based on that link. I also tested a new RO/DI water and it was the same color with my tank, a little yellow greenish.

As for pH. Not sure if I can re-use my freshwater kit, but if so and looking at the link, then my pH is at 8.8? If that is the case, that's really bad right? Or maybe the testing result is not correct or maybe I am color blind and it is at 8.4...

 

[lapin]

I would not worry about Ph unless you are using some weird water source.

 

[Leo.LA]

I bought my own RO/DI filter, then added instant ocean reef crystal salt. I haven't measure the TDS of my tap water after RO/DI since I don't have refractometer but I just assume it should be fine since it's RO/DI

 

[lapin]

Reef Crystals might give you problems if you have nothing to consume the very high levels in that salt.