Dodgy Test Kit?

[TallTree01]

Hi, so over a week ago, I used up the last of my ammonia tests ( api master kit ) . At the time, it was all as it should be.
So I went out and bought myself a new ammonia test kit and a few fish. This one keeps telling me that my ammonia is always at 0.5. Even after waterchanges,
0.5.
Am I at fault or is the test kit to blame?

 

[Ch4rlie]

Is your new test kit still in date?

Give the bottles a good shake as well to be sure.

What are the few fish you purchased?

Could be the bacteria needs a little time to establish a little more to cope with the extra bio load.
That may explain your ammonia readings.

Are all the other test readings as expected.

 

[TallTree01]

Is your new test kit still in date?
Give the bottles a good shake as well to be sure.
What are the few fish you purchased?
Could be the bacteria needs a little time to establish a little more to cope with the extra bio load.
That may explain your ammonia readings.
Are all the other test readings as expected.

Yes, test kit is in date by about 4 years.
I purchased just 2 corydoras. Certainly not enough to cause such elaborate readings I'd imagine.
It could, but would it be so high? How long would that take normally? It's been about a week.
Yes, zero nitrite and a little nitrate.

Very puzzlin.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Hmm,
 
Do you have a friend or family who uses the same kit for their tanks?
If so, perhaps you might want to try their kit to see if your ammonia is at same level or different.
 
Other than that, either its is false readings or you do have 0.5ppm of ammonia but would not explain that after water changes stays at 0.5.
Possible is may be a defunct test kit.
 
 
Edit - just thought, why don't you try testing your tap water with that ammonia kit, see what the results are. If result stays at 0.5 then looking likely is a faulty kit.

 

[TallTree01]

Great idea charlie.
I'll test my shrimp tank ( definitively 0ppm ) and my tap water ( ~ 1ppm )

 

[TallTree01]

Well, turns out the test kit is faulty! ( happy because that means that my tank is ok )
Shame, 10$ down the drain. I'll pick up a new one tomorrow from a different place.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Well, sorry you wasted a little money on your test kit but at least you found out now what was the problem.
 
Lets hope you pick up a decent kit next time