Confusing ammonia readings

Toolfan333 · 02/08/2018, 10:21 PM

Hello,
I have 60gal with 65lbs cured LR from a reef tear down. It’s been up for about a week and I added a 1” maroon clown and a 1.5” samsmara squirrel fish 2 days ago. I was told that since the rock was cycled that I wouldn’t get much of a cycle and I could start stocking the tank. I put a sea chem alert in and it consistently reads safe,but when I use my API test, it reads about .25. I heard that API can give false positives, so which of the tests should I believe?

Toolfan333 · 02/08/2018, 10:39 PM

Forgot to mention that I also tested my freshwater tank with the API and it read 0

thegrun · 02/08/2018, 11:46 PM

Neither, get a Salifert ammonia test kit. You are correct that the API test kit frequently shows a false 0.25 positive test result, the Sea Chem alert just isn't very accurate.

tkeracer619 · 02/09/2018, 02:42 AM

It's probable what you are seeing is a false positive on the API. I find it is more sensitive to the light you are using to read the test kit. What looks like .25 indoors can look like 0 in the sun.

You may have a little bit of a cycle, especially if you didn't transport the rock in water. If that is the case it should go away quickly.

02/08/2018, 10:21 PM	#1
Toolfan333 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 59	Confusing ammonia readings Hello, I have 60gal with 65lbs cured LR from a reef tear down. It’s been up for about a week and I added a 1” maroon clown and a 1.5” samsmara squirrel fish 2 days ago. I was told that since the rock was cycled that I wouldn’t get much of a cycle and I could start stocking the tank. I put a sea chem alert in and it consistently reads safe,but when I use my API test, it reads about .25. I heard that API can give false positives, so which of the tests should I believe?

02/09/2018, 02:42 AM	#4
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	It's probable what you are seeing is a false positive on the API. I find it is more sensitive to the light you are using to read the test kit. What looks like .25 indoors can look like 0 in the sun. You may have a little bit of a cycle, especially if you didn't transport the rock in water. If that is the case it should go away quickly. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/08/2018, 10:39 PM	#2
Toolfan333 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 59	Forgot to mention that I also tested my freshwater tank with the API and it read 0

02/08/2018, 11:46 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Neither, get a Salifert ammonia test kit. You are correct that the API test kit frequently shows a false 0.25 positive test result, the Sea Chem alert just isn't very accurate.