Just Tested My Main Tank!

[fluttermoth]

Just going back through the thread and I would really try and read the ammonia test under daylight; lightbulbs can throw the colours out by a long way.

Energy saving bulbs are especially bad for reading the API ammonia test, but even incandescents and fluorescents can skew the colours.

I also find that the zero is a slightly greener yellow than what's on the card.

 

[Aquascaper]

@cambojr

I did do it in a well lit room and double checked under a bright light

The OP has already stated they double checked the results and it has been suggested the cause of the small ammonia spike is probably down to the tank clean done recently. Why keep suggesting the OP is just reading the result wrong?

 

[cambojnr]

well if the tank is full cycled and the clean was did last week then I imagine because the tank is fully cycled then the bacteria would of recovered within a day our two. and as flutter said 0 ammonia is always a slight green colour and if looked at wrong through a ligh bulb the colour is off, as when I view it under a light bulb it looks 0.25ppm but in day light out side its the slighty green tinge to it that I always get. and the op has not did a second test yet.

 

[Aquascaper]

Just wondered why your only contribution has really been a short statement saying you think the OP has read the result wrong, that was all.

 

[snazy]

I agree that the API ammonia test when 0 is not the same on the card, but when there's a low level of ammonia and you look at the test tube from "above", the surface has a green tinge regardless of the light you are using it to view. A 0 ammonia has yellow surface, actually more yellow than the colour of the test tube. It just can't be mistaken. If you see a green tinge your tank has a problem. Wait for the 5min too.

 

[cambojnr]

Just wondered why your only contribution has really been a short statement saying you think the OP has read the result wrong, that was all.

just because its a common mistake that people make with the api test kit and often see on here and one that I have made myself, and have wasted time and resources doing big water changes when infact it was just the way I was looking at the water sample. but am just a noob who gives short simple answers, so what do I know.

 

[chigwellhammer]

Day 2 results..

PH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0.25ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 40ppm

 

[Ruskull]

Sounds like the nitrate was reduced by the water change but the ammonia is still holding at .25 ppm. Something is wrong with the bacteria that converts the ammonia to nitrite. It looks like it hasn't effected your bacteria that converts nitrite to nitrate, at least not yet.

Just throwing this out there, have you had a couple other people's opinions on the color match? Also, check the color against multiple light sources. It's possible you are slightly color blind. My ammonia is always pure yellow with the tanks that have been cycled longest having a slightly darker shade vs. the newly cycled tanks having a slightly more pale yellow.

By the way, a Nitrate reading of 40 ppm is fine, but maybe cut back on how much you're feeding.