I'm so confused and frustrated!

[Anna94]

Since my API test kit keeps showing ammonia I decided to buy the Seachem Ammonia test kit to rule out if my API test kit is bad. The green dot on the left is free ammonia and the green dot on the right is total ammonia. So both test kits are accurate, but according to the Seachem Ammonia Alert I don't have any ammonia or I'm in the safe zone. I'm still confused and frustrated.

 

[NickAu]

To test whether the Seachem Amminia Alert tag is still working or not, gently hold the card over a bottle of ammonia (or a cleaner containing ammonia like Windex); the sensor should quickly change to a dark blue. It may take about an hour for it to return to its original color.

 

[Anna94]

But, according to the Seachem Ammonia test, do I have ammonia or not? Am I in the safe zone?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

But, according to the Seachem Ammonia test, do I have ammonia or not? Am I in the safe zone?

Free ammonia is the toxic stuff, much more so than ammonium ions.

API tests the total ammonia/ammonium.
The ratio of free ammonia to ammonium ions can be calculated based on a few factors.
https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/FreeAmmonia.php

So, my guess is that both are right.

Free ammonia needs to be under 0.05ppm.

 

[Anna94]

Yea, and I can't figure out how to get below .05 and keep it there. I've narrowed everything and am so frustrated that my ammonia won't go down.

 

[Byron]

Yea, and I can't figure out how to get below .05 and keep it there. I've narrowed everything and am so frustrated that my ammonia won't go down.

As I suggested in the other thread yesterday, live plants (especially floating) will solve this, if there is anything to solve. I really would not worry over this, provided the ammonia does not increase. There may be nothing amiss. Our aquarium test kits, no matter the brand, are not scientific measurement accurate, they are only guides. I have been told that Sera kits are probably the most accurate, though quite expensive by comparison, but I use API and will continue to do so.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Yea, and I can't figure out how to get below .05 and keep it there. I've narrowed everything and am so frustrated that my ammonia won't go down.

Your free ammonia is below 0.05ppm.