Which Ammonia test to believe?

[IKD]

So I’m doing a fishless cycle by dosing ammonia and testing. I have 3 different kits giving me 3 different results. Any advice on which one to believe?

Salifert (.25?)

Red Sea (0.8?)

Seachem (<.2?)

 

[PatW]

For a cycle, I would go with the Red Sea just because it is showing a result. Both Red Sea and Salifert show SOMETHING so they agree there. I would not think that the Seachem was best. When I cycled I used Red Sea and it went to zero. So I would go with the highest reading unless it does not get below a certain point.

 

[Uncle99]

All show too much, so let the cycle continue.
I see .2. .1. and 0.02 from the badge.
They should zero out.

 

[brandon429]

I have great use for this thread w those opening pics.

How many days underwater are you (time axis on a cycling chart can cross check your params)

New cycling science doesn't use ammonia as a zero read to call a cycle done, you can see how hard that is to attain.


We use this

(Motion of ammonia, not bottom end read)

100% Water Change

So in my previous thread, I had an ammonia issue that was out of hand. As suggested, I did a 100% WC and now i’m wondering when I should start adding fish back. If anyone has suggestions, let me know!

www.reef2reef.com

With that move, any of those tests will work. Some might require 2 days for movement though and i wouldn't use the alert badge at all. It's OK to have in the tank, just don't make moves from its reading

Once cycled, a tank won't drift out of ammonia spec until it's moved in old age then the rotten sandbed stresses things. Ammonia runs under control after cycling (ammonia param arc of the cycling chart never goes back up)

 

[IKD]

All show too much, so let the cycle continue.
I see .2. .1. and 0.02 from the badge.
They should zero out.

Thanks. I wasn’t asking about adding livestock, just accuracy of the tests.

 

[Roosterjack]

+1 for Red Sea

 

[brandon429]

Knowing how much original ammonia has been added would help provide context, vs guessing about the colors above. Did u add one ppm ammonia, or two etc

number of days underwater is required so you have a base truth to measure against, per any chart you can see at day 8-10 those tests better be reading close to zero. So, the closer you are to eight days the lower reading wins accuracy.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I trust seachem, salifert and Hanna

I do not trust API or BADGES

 

[arking_mark]

Only the Seachem badge is actually accurate. This measures free ammonia which is whats dangerous to your tank. The other test are more just yes/no for ammonia. If you want something accurate, the Seneye is what really works.

 

[Roosterjack]

Does Hanna make a marine ammonia colorimeter?

 

[IKD]

Knowing how much original ammonia has been added would help provide context, vs guessing about the colors above. Did u add one ppm ammonia, or two etc

number of days underwater is required so you have a base truth to measure against, per any chart you can see at day 8-10 those tests better be reading close to zero. So, the closer you are to eight days the lower reading wins accuracy.

I added enough to set to 2ppm. Badge has been in the water for 4 days but to be honest I never saw much change in color on it. I know ammonia level has gone down via the Salifert testing from the beginning but included the Red Sea test for triple check since the badge and Salifert were not consistent. I was hoping Red Sea would have matched one of the other two LOL.

 

[IKD]

Only the Seachem badge is actually accurate. This measures free ammonia which is whats dangerous to your tank. The other test are more just yes/no for ammonia. If you want something accurate, the Seneye is what really works.

Thanks. I can’t justify a $200 purchase to only check ammonia during startup. I have Apex and Tunze in setup already.

 

[Uncle99]

Thanks. I wasn’t asking about adding livestock, just accuracy of the tests.

Wasn’t making any comment on adding anything

Each test will give a different ( but hopefully relative) answer.

 

[mindme]

Redo your tests in each brand(other than badge obviously) and see what they say.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

I use the RedSea test kits

 

[Cory]

I dont trust any kit without a reference solution and usually only trust the ones i make myself. You may want to ask Randy in the chem forum how to make an ammonia reference.