Salifert ammonia test kit - newbie question

CloruroDiSodio · 04/24/2009, 05:43 AM

Hi gang,

I've had live rock in my tank for about two days now and I know it's a little early for ammonia but I figured what the heck I'll at least get used to using the test kit. I have the Salifert kit and followed the instructions to a T. It didn't look like I had any ammonia yet but the final solution was sort of milky white and not clear. I thought it would remain clear like water, is this normal? It looked almost like diluted milk. it seemed to cloud up when I added the chemical solution to the sample

Boyman · 04/24/2009, 06:51 AM

How long did you wait until the solution turned milky white?

PRDubois · 04/24/2009, 07:02 AM

I have had that happen once. Just retest and it should be fine.

drparker · 04/24/2009, 07:02 AM

Some Ammonia test kits are clear when testing fresh water and get cloudy when testing salt. I'm not sure if Salifert is like this or not. It's been too many years since I did an Ammonia test.

CloruroDiSodio · 04/24/2009, 07:31 AM

Yeah it seemed to cloud up as soon as I added the reagent to the sample. I waited for the time the instructions listed (3 min I think?)

Toddrtrex · 04/24/2009, 08:43 AM

Seem to remember it being slightly cloudy. But, I can try it later on this morning on an existing tank and see if it is cloudy or not.

CloruroDiSodio · 04/24/2009, 09:36 AM

Hi Toddrtrex. That would be great if you could do that! I always remember my old ammonia test kits being clear (regardless on concentration "tnint" or not). Wasn't sure if saliferts were always cloudy (never used salifert before)

Toddrtrex · 04/24/2009, 10:06 AM

Here is the picture. Cloudy, but there is 0 ammonia in this tank.

CloruroDiSodio · 04/24/2009, 10:10 AM

Thanks a lot!! You're sample looks exactly like mine, looks like the salifert solution supposed to be cloudy afterall.

thanks again

Toddrtrex · 04/24/2009, 10:25 AM

Sure thing. Was acclimating some new stuff, so I had the kit out.

Whys · 04/24/2009, 11:07 AM

Mine is a little cloudy too. It's normal.

CloruroDiSodio · 04/24/2009, 11:15 AM

Thanks a lot. Just seems that a clear solution would be easier to compare to the color chart. Too bad they don't have a handheld digital electronic unit!

04/24/2009, 05:43 AM	#1
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	Salifert ammonia test kit - newbie question Hi gang, I've had live rock in my tank for about two days now and I know it's a little early for ammonia but I figured what the heck I'll at least get used to using the test kit. I have the Salifert kit and followed the instructions to a T. It didn't look like I had any ammonia yet but the final solution was sort of milky white and not clear. I thought it would remain clear like water, is this normal? It looked almost like diluted milk. it seemed to cloud up when I added the chemical solution to the sample

04/24/2009, 07:02 AM	#3
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	I have had that happen once. Just retest and it should be fine. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

04/24/2009, 08:43 AM	#6
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Seem to remember it being slightly cloudy. But, I can try it later on this morning on an existing tank and see if it is cloudy or not. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

04/24/2009, 10:06 AM	#8
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Here is the picture. Cloudy, but there is 0 ammonia in this tank. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

04/24/2009, 10:25 AM	#10
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Sure thing. Was acclimating some new stuff, so I had the kit out. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

04/24/2009, 06:51 AM	#2
Boyman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York, New York Posts: 327	How long did you wait until the solution turned milky white?

04/24/2009, 07:02 AM	#4
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	Some Ammonia test kits are clear when testing fresh water and get cloudy when testing salt. I'm not sure if Salifert is like this or not. It's been too many years since I did an Ammonia test.

04/24/2009, 07:31 AM	#5
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	Yeah it seemed to cloud up as soon as I added the reagent to the sample. I waited for the time the instructions listed (3 min I think?)

04/24/2009, 09:36 AM	#7
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	Hi Toddrtrex. That would be great if you could do that! I always remember my old ammonia test kits being clear (regardless on concentration "tnint" or not). Wasn't sure if saliferts were always cloudy (never used salifert before)

04/24/2009, 10:10 AM	#9
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	Thanks a lot!! You're sample looks exactly like mine, looks like the salifert solution supposed to be cloudy afterall. thanks again

04/24/2009, 11:07 AM	#11
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Mine is a little cloudy too. It's normal.

04/24/2009, 11:15 AM	#12
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	Thanks a lot. Just seems that a clear solution would be easier to compare to the color chart. Too bad they don't have a handheld digital electronic unit!