Please help me read this Ammonia test

[usameisje]

Nitrites 0 Nitrates 0.5, pH 7.6
I have trouble reading shades of green - I would swear my ammonia test was 0 right at 5 minutes but it definitely started changing color after that. Should I only trust the 5 minutes reading or should I assume there is ammonia in here? Thanks for giving me any insider info you have about these tests. I did follow the instructions.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Looks like 0.25 to me. Cant answer your other question though.

 

[Fishmanic]

I would say your ammonia level is .75. It looks higher than .5 and lower than 1. It shouldnt change much after the 5 minute mark. Be sure to shake the bottles thoroughly before adding to the tube.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I would say your ammonia level is .75. It looks higher than .5 and lower than 1. It shouldnt change much after the 5 minute mark. Be sure to shake the bottles thoroughly before adding to the tube.

I agree. Looks like .50+

@usameisje, are you sure you followed the instructions exactly?

 

[usameisje]

Human labs are way easier to read than fish ones! I run labs as part of my job as a practice nurse- I might try running all the labs again to see if i’m getting consistent results. Thanks for the feedback! Reddit is convinced the ammonia can give a false 0.25 but Who knows if that’s true.

 

[usameisje]

I agree. Looks like .50+

@usameisje, are you sure you followed the instructions exactly?

I’m pretty sure I did using a timer and mixing the bottles but it’s possible I messed up. I will try again.

 

[Fishmanic]

Do you have fish in your tank or are you doing a fishless cycling? How long has your tank been set up?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I’m pretty sure I did using a timer and mixing the bottles but it’s possible I messed up. I will try again.

Better safe than sorry.

 

[Essjay]

The ammonia test can look greener than it really is under some lights. Did you read the test in daylight or electric light? If electric, what type? Fluorescent, LED, halogen?