Seachem ammonia alet not working?

[Reefer_madness78]

so I have had a 10g qt with 8g of dt water in it with a bag of cycled bio rocks and ceramic (that I bought at lfs) in hob filter. I have been dosing microbacter7 everyday (more than recommended dose) and seachem ammonia alert has stayed same color.

so I tested with my red sea kit

what gives? Seachem badge not working? And why is ammonia so high?

 

[Ron Reefman]

IMHO it's a cheap piece of..... cow manure. Just toss it.

 

[Eric1493]

I believe that the ammonia alert badge only measures free ammonia, (NH3, which is much more toxic than ammonium (NH4)) while the red sea test kit measures the concentration of ammonia and ammonium (NH3 & NH4). As for the microbacter7, I don't know why it isn't bringing ammonia down, but the bacteria are in a dormant (cyst?) form, so it might take a while to bring down ammonia.

 

[Eric1493]

The amount of NH3 vs NH4 depends on pH, but to my understanding, free ammonia will be much less than total ammonia. The badge might be wrong, but I think it is unlikely unless you didn't peel the film off or something.

 

[pecan2phat]

Those ammonia badges are hit or miss IME.

 

[Reefer_madness78]

I believe that the ammonia alert badge only measures free ammonia, (NH3, which is much more toxic than ammonium (NH4)) while the red sea test kit measures the concentration of ammonia and ammonium (NH3 & NH4). As for the microbacter7, I don't know why it isn't bringing ammonia down, but the bacteria are in a dormant (cyst?) form, so it might take a while to bring down ammonia.

I might need a new bottle of mb7. I've had it about 6 months but maybe it's not no good no mo lol