Red Sea ammonia and BA quick cycle

[A3quatics]

So I’m currently about to cycle my 25 lagoon. Have dry rock and ocean direct sand. I’ve read to give the tank 24 hours before adding any ammonia because the bac in the sand might provide some and would spike the ammonia over the 2 ppm. I used a Red Sea ammonia test kit and it reads the yellow 0. My curiosity lead me to take the 5 ml tank water and add 2 drops of the brightwell quick cycle ammonium chloride and test it. It’s completely clear. No color. Is this normal? PH is 8.2

I watched the BRS Biome series and wanted to replicate it to see if I’m successful at reducing algae at the beginning stage. I know they cycled with 2 clowns but thought that a fishless cycle would be better. Am I wrong here?

 

[MnFish1]

So I’m currently about to cycle my 25 lagoon. Have dry rock and ocean direct sand. I’ve read to give the tank 24 hours before adding any ammonia because the bac in the sand might provide some and would spike the ammonia over the 2 ppm. I used a Red Sea ammonia test kit and it reads the yellow 0. My curiosity lead me to take the 5 ml tank water and add 2 drops of the brightwell quick cycle ammonium chloride and test it. It’s completely clear. No color. Is this normal? PH is 8.2

I watched the BRS Biome series and wanted to replicate it to see if I’m successful at reducing algae at the beginning stage. I know they cycled with 2 clowns but thought that a fishless cycle would be better. Am I wrong here?

No - it suggests that either your test is wrong, the concentration of ammonia in your 'ammonia' is wrong. I guess you could test a higher dose of ammonia (than 2 drops). Make sure none of the items are expired.

 

[A3quatics]

No - it suggests that either your test is wrong, the concentration of ammonia in your 'ammonia' is wrong. I guess you could test a higher dose of ammonia (than 2 drops). Make sure none of the items are expired.

The Red Sea kit expires 2025. What I found odd tho was that the sample with just tank water was yellow but the sample with tank water and the ammonia drops was crystal clear.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The Red Sea kit expires 2025. What I found odd tho was that the sample with just tank water was yellow but the sample with tank water and the ammonia drops was crystal clear.

That suggests a problem, but the ammonia dosed was also very, very high, and that might not be the best test.

I'd try tank water plus enough ammonia to give a few ppm ammonia in the solution, and then test that.

Does the Brightwell product smell at all of ammonia? It may be made incorrectly.

 

[A3quatics]

That suggests a problem, but the ammonia dosed was also very, very high, and that might not be the best test.

I'd try tank water plus enough ammonia to give a few ppm ammonia in the solution, and then test that. .

Never thought of that. I figured that dilution of ammonia would have shown a dark green color. Thanks Randy and Mnfish1