New to the hobby - Ammonia level testing

KateF · 04/21/2015, 02:07 PM

Hello all,

I'm am fairly new to keeping saltwater aquariums, I have always had freshwater. I started cycling my 20g Nano cube tank about a month ago, and it cycled in three weeks using the cocktail shrimp method. I tested every day until everything was down to 0 with very low nitrates. The tank has a 2 inch live sand bed with 9 pounds of rock (not live, I didn't want to have any surprise critters). I am working on adding purple algea and other good critters to make the rock live. I added two baby clowns, three hermits and a tiny shrimp to start. Everything is going well, the smallest hermit died not long after I got him, not sure what happened, looked like he got stuck in the rock, but all others are thriving. Water testing really well, however, when I leave the ammonia sitting for 10 minutes or so it starts to take on a greenish hue (API test kit). I have 0 nitrites and very low to none nitrates with regular water changes. Anyone having this issue? It's stays yellow for a long time then starts to turn green, so I'm unsure if ammonia is rising or not? If anything it's below .25. The LFS tested before I added anything and they said it was great. Any idea if I'm getting false results? Anyone else have this issue ever? I want to start adding some basic corals (mushrooms or leathers) for the clowns. All water is reverse osmosis and mixed by the LFS, salinity is perfect.

Thanks!

ReefsandGeeks · 04/21/2015, 03:04 PM

Some test kits require you to take the reading at a certain time to get an accurate result. I can try this and see what happens, but If i remember, the ammonia should be read after like 30 seconds or something? if you keep waiting the results will be off. You can try the same test on fresh water and see what happens. If you're getting ammonia in new water, your test may be defective.

ReefsandGeeks · 04/21/2015, 03:05 PM

read the directions on your test kit very carefuly and take the readings at the times indicated in the directions. Color changes after that are likely inaccurate.

gone fishin · 04/21/2015, 05:24 PM

Yes, if you do not read the test in the specified time it will change color on you. As long as your reading is good in the specified time then don't worry. Good luck just my 2 cents worth.

04/21/2015, 02:07 PM	#1
KateF Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1	New to the hobby - Ammonia level testing Hello all, I'm am fairly new to keeping saltwater aquariums, I have always had freshwater. I started cycling my 20g Nano cube tank about a month ago, and it cycled in three weeks using the cocktail shrimp method. I tested every day until everything was down to 0 with very low nitrates. The tank has a 2 inch live sand bed with 9 pounds of rock (not live, I didn't want to have any surprise critters). I am working on adding purple algea and other good critters to make the rock live. I added two baby clowns, three hermits and a tiny shrimp to start. Everything is going well, the smallest hermit died not long after I got him, not sure what happened, looked like he got stuck in the rock, but all others are thriving. Water testing really well, however, when I leave the ammonia sitting for 10 minutes or so it starts to take on a greenish hue (API test kit). I have 0 nitrites and very low to none nitrates with regular water changes. Anyone having this issue? It's stays yellow for a long time then starts to turn green, so I'm unsure if ammonia is rising or not? If anything it's below .25. The LFS tested before I added anything and they said it was great. Any idea if I'm getting false results? Anyone else have this issue ever? I want to start adding some basic corals (mushrooms or leathers) for the clowns. All water is reverse osmosis and mixed by the LFS, salinity is perfect. Thanks! __________________ Kate Current Tank Info: 20g saltwater Cadlight nano cube

04/21/2015, 05:24 PM	#4
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	Yes, if you do not read the test in the specified time it will change color on you. As long as your reading is good in the specified time then don't worry. Good luck just my 2 cents worth. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

04/21/2015, 03:04 PM	#2
ReefsandGeeks Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,708	Some test kits require you to take the reading at a certain time to get an accurate result. I can try this and see what happens, but If i remember, the ammonia should be read after like 30 seconds or something? if you keep waiting the results will be off. You can try the same test on fresh water and see what happens. If you're getting ammonia in new water, your test may be defective.

04/21/2015, 03:05 PM	#3
ReefsandGeeks Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,708	read the directions on your test kit very carefuly and take the readings at the times indicated in the directions. Color changes after that are likely inaccurate.