If PH is creeping up, is it an indication of high ammonia levels?

[RobVG]

I couldn't find test strips that include ammonia. The separate strips that test only ammonia are rather expensive.

 

[gwand]

Calcium carbonate in the substrate increases pH, eg. certain rocks, sea shells. Brisk aeration blowing off CO2 can increase pH.

 

[gwand]

The relationship between ammonia and pH is as follows: Ammonia exists in two forms in water: un-ionized ammonia (NH3+) and ionized ammonium (NH4+). The ratio between these two forms is determined by the water's pH level. At higher pH levels (more alkaline conditions), more ammonia exists in the toxic un-ionized form (NH3), which can easily injure fish. Conversely, at lower pH levels (more acidic conditions), ammonium (NH4+) predominates, which is less toxic to fish. So if you think you have detectable ammonia in your tank and the pH is increasing, that is a problem.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Adding to what gwand wrote, most but not all, of the hobby ammonia tests read what is called Total Ammonia. This is the sum of NH3 and NH4. When using a total ammonia kit you can find out how much of the total is in each form by using an ammonia calculator. The following comes from the article here on "Rescuing a Fish In Cycle Gone Wild part II"

There is also currently a handy dandy ammonia calculator you can find here: http://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/FreeAmmonia.php

1. Choose NH (NH3 + NH4)*
2. Enter in the total ammonia reading from your test, choose ppm.
3. For a fresh water tank, enter 0 for the salinity.
4. Enter your tank’s current pH.
5. Enter your tank temperature and choose F or C, whichever applies.
6. Click Calculate.

The calculator will then tell how much of the total is in each of the two forms.

If you want the full details relating to the above, the article is here: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/rescuing-a-fish-in-cycle-gone-wild-part-il.433778/