Seachem ammonia badge

homer1475 · 04/05/2016, 08:13 AM

SO for my cycle I'm using an API kit(have it laying around from my fresh tank with an expiration date of march 2017) and an ammonia badge from seachem. My problem is the badge shows 0 ammonia present(even though I've added 9ml), but the API kit is showing over 8ppm. I also had one in a QT tank that was showing no color change but API was giving me 2ppm.

This is the second time one of these badges has failed me out of the two times I've used them.

Is this kind of failure rate a known issue with these badges?

thegrun · 04/05/2016, 08:33 AM

I know they do go bad over time. To test one spay some Windex on a paper towel and hold the paper towel close to the badge, it will turn color quickly if it is still good. I wish there were directions with the badge that tells you how long or how many different times the badge can be used.

WWIII · 04/05/2016, 08:36 AM

I'm pretry sure the api kits have different color comparison cards between their freshwater and saltwater kits? I would send u a pic of my card if I knew how to post pictures, but you could probably Google it to be sure. Then again it could just be the badge reading incorrectly?

homer1475 · 04/05/2016, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

I know they do go bad over time. To test one spay some Windex on a paper towel and hold the paper towel close to the badge, it will turn color quickly if it is still good. I wish there were directions with the badge that tells you how long or how many different times the badge can be used.

I just dropped a drop of pur ammonia on the badge and it instantly changed to dark blue. My issue is they were both brand new in a package, so I'm not sure which test to believe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWIII

I'm pretry sure the api kits have different color comparison cards between their freshwater and saltwater kits? I would send u a pic of my card if I knew how to post pictures, but you could probably Google it to be sure.

Yes I know they have different color cards(I have both sets of cards). They really aren't much different in color. When its deep green, you obviously have ammonia since 0 is yellow. My initial cycle showed 4ppm ammonia then went to 0 in a couple days(used seeded material from my other tank), so on that result my thinking is the API kit is fine, its the badge that is off.

cougareyes · 04/05/2016, 12:51 PM

The api test kit reads both NH3 and NH4, one of them is not deadly. The Seachem alert badge only registers the deadly one.

runningrandy04 · 04/05/2016, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cougareyes

The api test kit reads both NH3 and NH4, one of them is not deadly. The Seachem alert badge only registers the deadly one.

+1. Api tests for total ammonia while the badge test for free ammonia.

Jerett83 · 04/05/2016, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cougareyes

The api test kit reads both NH3 and NH4, one of them is not deadly. The Seachem alert badge only registers the deadly one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by runningrandy04

+1. Api tests for total ammonia while the badge test for free ammonia.

+2 go by the badge.

I dont trust the test kits on my QT tank only the badge

heathlindner25 · 04/05/2016, 03:26 PM

The badges are complete garbage

CHSUB · 04/05/2016, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerett83

+2 go by the badge.

I dont trust the test kits on my QT tank only the badge

Quote:

Originally Posted by heathlindner25

The badges are complete garbage

quite funny!!!

runningrandy04 · 04/05/2016, 06:31 PM

The badges have the same sensor that is used in the seachem ammonia test kit. Problem with the badge is that it doesn't come with the care instructions for the sensor. Sensor should not be touched with your fingers and should not be allowed to dry out. Should also be rinsed with ro/di before going into the tank and before going into a humid storage container.

heathlindner25 · 04/05/2016, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHSUB

quite funny!!!

I thought it was funny too.

homer1475 · 04/06/2016, 03:49 AM

Definitely going by the test kits. API ad salifert both came in at 3ppm ammonia, while the badge still shows 0. Regardless of whether its free ammonia or total ammonia, adding pure ammonia to the tank should have made the badge change color.

04/05/2016, 08:13 AM	#1
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Seachem ammonia badge SO for my cycle I'm using an API kit(have it laying around from my fresh tank with an expiration date of march 2017) and an ammonia badge from seachem. My problem is the badge shows 0 ammonia present(even though I've added 9ml), but the API kit is showing over 8ppm. I also had one in a QT tank that was showing no color change but API was giving me 2ppm. This is the second time one of these badges has failed me out of the two times I've used them. Is this kind of failure rate a known issue with these badges? __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

04/06/2016, 03:49 AM	#12
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Definitely going by the test kits. API ad salifert both came in at 3ppm ammonia, while the badge still shows 0. Regardless of whether its free ammonia or total ammonia, adding pure ammonia to the tank should have made the badge change color. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

04/05/2016, 08:33 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I know they do go bad over time. To test one spay some Windex on a paper towel and hold the paper towel close to the badge, it will turn color quickly if it is still good. I wish there were directions with the badge that tells you how long or how many different times the badge can be used.

04/05/2016, 08:36 AM	#3
WWIII Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 158	I'm pretry sure the api kits have different color comparison cards between their freshwater and saltwater kits? I would send u a pic of my card if I knew how to post pictures, but you could probably Google it to be sure. Then again it could just be the badge reading incorrectly?

04/05/2016, 12:51 PM	#5
cougareyes Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 713	The api test kit reads both NH3 and NH4, one of them is not deadly. The Seachem alert badge only registers the deadly one.

04/05/2016, 03:26 PM	#8
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	The badges are complete garbage

04/05/2016, 06:31 PM	#10
runningrandy04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sycamore,IL Posts: 130	The badges have the same sensor that is used in the seachem ammonia test kit. Problem with the badge is that it doesn't come with the care instructions for the sensor. Sensor should not be touched with your fingers and should not be allowed to dry out. Should also be rinsed with ro/di before going into the tank and before going into a humid storage container.