Ammonia Monitor

[sic0198]

Hi I bought one of these today.

http/www.petco.com/shop/product.aspx?sku...;cm_ite=1008200

Anyone ever used this? If so, does it work well.

 

[rdd1952]

I've never used one as they really aren't necessary once the tank is cycled unless you are just paranoid about it. It doesn't really hurt to have it in there but I certanly wouldn't trust it if you are cycling with fish. I would definitely use a good, liquid test kit.

 

[Schmill]

Do you think these would be good enough to show when doing a fishless cycle that the ammonia had dropped to 0? Also would they react quick enough to give you a guide when adding the ammonia to the tank? (I'm thinking not as even the liquid test kits tke 5 minutes to 'develop')

 

[TheConstantGrower]

Its funny you mention that, while on my adventures through petco, i found something you don't normally find... someone that knows something, only this guy wasn't selling me snake oil, he knew his stuff inside out upside down backwards and forwards and did not hesitate to let me know my faulty choices. So I'm standing there next to the fake plants i was planning to buy feeling well out of place, and he comes back up to me, we talk, and he noticed i had several of those in my basket, PH ammonia NitrIte and NitrAte (youll notice i always capitalize those so as no mistakes are made). Apparently they are great, for about a week. After that they lose their ability to give you an accurate reading readily, and on top of that wear out long before they should. Now as with any LFS you take whats said with a grain of salt, but he directed me to some nice manual testing kits for half the price simply because you needed to actually dip your own strip or add a few drops. you can get 250+ tests for 5 - 7 dollars out of a manual kit as opposed to knocking off 20 on one of those... but hey, i didn't feel like giving it a try and risking it, if you do and it works well, by all means i stand to be silenced.


EDIT - also when looking for an ammonia kit, go with tetra, they have a specific style for their kits that stop development after 60 seconds, so as not to give false / higher readings then whats really in your tank.

Mind you i'm a noob not a pro, PLEASE research all this for yourself!

 

[sic0198]

I bought it at Petland...it was $6 NOT $20 as listed on that site. The one I bought only lasts for 4-6 weeks. The one listed works for 3 months or so. I also bought some test strips. If it works I will buy more, if it don't Oh well just $6 down the drain.

 

[ImperfectFaerie]

I was told not to get those by a friend who had used them as a monitor and still did her weekly tests. She said after about a week they were way off getting worse as time went on. So they seem to be useful for a week and then wear themselves out. I'll stick with my liquid tests ;-}