Api Test Kit Error?

[smdnh]

I have an API Master kit and have recent concerns that the ammionia test is not accurate. Out of the blue the ammonia levels began to rise and peaked at 1.5ppm. I thought the tank was cycling so began daily water changes of 40%. After almost 2 weeks of daily changes, the nitrates and nitrites are zero, but the ammonia has kept constant at over 1ppm. The fish are doing well. On a hunch, I tested the tap water and sure enough it tests the same as the tank. When I first got the kit a year ago, the tap water tested zero for ammonia. It is good quality municipal H20. Any thoughts? Thanks,
Bill

20 gal planted tank, 3 cherry barbs, 2 neons, 2 otos, 1 yoyo loach, 2 danios and 1 candystripe plec.

 

[celaeno]

you can visit the manufacturer section of my website for info on expiration dates of api test kit bottles.

 

[smdnh]

you can visit the manufacturer section of my website for info on expiration dates of api test kit bottles.

Thanks, it appears as if the reagents are current. So.... how do I interpret the readings? Am I to believe that my tapwater has developed ammonia? I re-tested with a clean test tube thinking it could be inadvertent contamination, but the results are consistent.

 

[PRW1988]

If I do so recall, there have been a few problems with API test kits, my girlfriend tested her tank 1 day and all was fine and the second day all way out of wack. Ammonia was reading off the charts, but no ammonia or any smell emited from the tank...

 

[Mikaila31]

You could always have the LPS test the water too. They will probably use the test strips, but if you do have 1ppm of ammonia it will most likely give you a reading. It may not be accurate, but it should tell you if ammonia is present or not.

Also some ammonia removers will effect certain test solutions and give you false readings. Normally they state this on the bottle.

 

[smdnh]

You could always have the LPS test the water too. They will probably use the test strips, but if you do have 1ppm of ammonia it will most likely give you a reading. It may not be accurate, but it should tell you if ammonia is present or not.

Also some ammonia removers will effect certain test solutions and give you false readings. Normally they state this on the bottle.

Thanks to all of you. After discussion with staff at the municipal water company and at API, I have come to the conclusion that there is ammonia in the tap water from chloramines, and its not an error with the test. The dechlor I was using broke the chloramine bonds but did not get rid of the ammonia; so I have to look at other products.