Question about ammonia

[stingythingy45]

I have some fish in a hypo QT tank now that's uncycled.
I bought a ammonia badge from Marineland that measures"Free ammonia".Yet it hasn't really shown anything.But my API test shows 1.0.
Is this total ammonia?
What's the difference?
And anybody use these before?

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idproduct=SC4111

[usmc121581]

They dont really work if they really work at all. Go with the test kit results.

[demonsp]

Never used and would not trust as a long term solution. Get a good test kit , that you need anyway and test in the morning only. Just do water changes to help reduce any ammonia.

[marin31ife]

never seen one before???

putting fish in an uncycled tank is just asking for trouble IMO it will jsut make the ammonia spike larger and the fish will suffer??

what size is the tnk and how many fish/size???

joe

[bertoni]

The ammonia badges might detect only free ammonia (NH₃). The test kit will report ammonia and ammonium (NH₄+). In either case, I'd use some Amquel or Prime, and do some water changes. The tank needs a filter or a lot of water changes. A filter is usually much better.

[kevin2000]

Most test kits report total ammonia and as Bertoni has indicated that includes free ammonia (toxic) and less toxic ammonium. Ammonium converts to ammonia based on the level of PH and the test kits which measure "total ammonia" are really testing total ammonia potential rather than current level of toxic ammonia.

[stingythingy45]

Right now it has a Aquaclear 50 running on there that I moved from my 55 a few days ago.I also moved the bio-media bag from the filter.I find myself changing at least 5 gallons in a 20L every 3-4 days so far.
I have Amquel for emergencies.