Pic confirmation of false API ammonia readings

[ScubaSkeets]

Hi folks
I purchased Salifert tests (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) and did a comparison between Salifert and API. Only a slight difference with nitrate and nitrate, but a pretty big difference with ammonia. Salifert shows 0 while API shows around .50ppm!

Everyone speaks highly of Salifert and not so good of API. Now I know why.. Surely, API knows of this issue. I wonder why they haven't fixed it.

 

[Greg P]

@brandon429

 

[ZoWhat]

API is the TONKA TOY of testing


"Is my API green, a light green, a green that has yellow in it, or a green that has a hint of brown?"


.

 

[brandon429]

Team thank you for the heads up

may we pls have a tank shot pic this came from then it’s perfect post for a readings comparison thread we have running

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi folks
I purchased Salifert tests (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) and did a comparison between Salifert and API. Only a slight difference with nitrate and nitrate, but a pretty big difference with ammonia. Salifert shows 0 while API shows around .50ppm!

Everyone speaks highly of Salifert and not so good of API. Now I know why.. Surely, API knows of this issue. I wonder why they haven't fixed it.

Imagine that and no surprise. API tests have gotten so many reefers in trouble. Ever wonder how a master kit can be only $20 ??

 

[ScubaSkeets]

Here's a pic of the tank

 

[346700984]

Hi folks
I purchased Salifert tests (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) and did a comparison between Salifert and API. Only a slight difference with nitrate and nitrate, but a pretty big difference with ammonia. Salifert shows 0 while API shows around .50ppm!

Everyone speaks highly of Salifert and not so good of API. Now I know why.. Surely, API knows of this issue. I wonder why they haven't fixed it.

We’ve experienced the same discrepancy with the ammonia (Red Sea test and Seachem ammonia badge vs API). Did you ever find any discrepancies with nitrites though?

 

[Dan_P]

Hi folks
I purchased Salifert tests (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) and did a comparison between Salifert and API. Only a slight difference with nitrate and nitrate, but a pretty big difference with ammonia. Salifert shows 0 while API shows around .50ppm!

Everyone speaks highly of Salifert and not so good of API. Now I know why.. Surely, API knows of this issue. I wonder why they haven't fixed it.

This situation is not the typical ambiguity of zero vs 0.25 ppm. This test result looks like a solid positive for ammonia. Where are you in the “cycling” process?

 

[ScubaSkeets]

We’ve experienced the same discrepancy with the ammonia (Red Sea test and Seachem ammonia badge vs API). Did you ever find any discrepancies with nitrites though?

There was a little discrepancy with nitrates and nitrates, but not much. Ill have to run the comparison again to get the exact numbers

 

[ScubaSkeets]

This situation is not the typical ambiguity of zero vs 0.25 ppm. This test result looks like a solid positive for ammonia. Where are you in the “cycling” process?

Its been up and running for approximately 4 months. With 6 fish

 

[brandon429]

Dan I agree it’s atypically distinct. Not common but not rare possibly


this 100% accounts for false flag ammonia alert posts in every way shape and form. If even a small % of api kits do this on a running reef, madness happens in super long ammonia tracing posts where all forms of visual proof to the contrary are instantly discounted.

has this tank been dosed with prime, or amquel anywhere in the water prep

 

[ScubaSkeets]

has this tank been dosed with prime, or amquel anywhere in the water prep

No.

 

[RobB'z Reef]

API is the TONKA TOY of testing


"Is my API green, a light green, a green that has yellow in it, or a green that has a hint of brown?"


.

Why do ppl buy this stuff?

 

[ScubaSkeets]

So here's another comparison with another, newer tank (a little less than a month since cycled)

this one was dosed with Prime last night as the high reading of the API test (before getting the Salifert today) caused me to put some in. I didn't take a pic of the API test last night, but I do not remember it being THAT dark green.

 

[brandon429]

we do see some yellow readings though, this thread is the collection post and most are panning out working so far


even if this is test error in some way, just a few are needed to really cause cycling doubt for many. * it’s not always api, we had a seneye stuck in the hundredths last week and before that a Red Sea was over reporting daily running in a 1.5 year sps reef, not restricted to api but I think api carries the greatest weight of misreads due to number of kits sold, its #1

Post a pic of your API or Red Sea ammonia kit reading, ran on your post-cycle reef

A simple thread to track partial reads, hard zero reads, or high reads on common reef tanks. Please post pics like this, here’s Dr. Reef getting true zero on Api in his bottle bac thread. the reading is not from a reef tank, it’s from brand new aged saltwater not used yet. A starting...

www.reef2reef.com

most of the ones listed there are good yellows on post cycle tanks. I predict not all will be, as we get out a few pages.

 

[ScubaSkeets]

even if this is test error in some way

I can guarantee you that the test was done precisely per the instructions.

 

[ScubaSkeets]

This is the API test of straight RODI water (no salt). Test is 0 for ammonia. Doesn't this say that the positive API reading from the tanks mean something is causing it?

 

[KrisReef]

I'd guess the pH difference is causing the dye color issue, but I make my claim for free and you don't have to buy a kit to get my own best guess.

 

[Greg P]

Why do ppl buy this stuff?

Because API pushes their products on LFS due to it being cheap/marketable
Should be labelled as not for Reef Use

 

[Greg P]

This is the API test of straight RODI water (no salt). Test is 0 for ammonia. Doesn't this say that the positive API reading from the tanks mean something is causing it?

Not sure the kit is capable of reading in a zero salinity solution.
Something I remember reading a way back. I could be wrong.
Can someone confirm the API kit can read NH3 in RO water?