Strange Ammonia test results...

[jkun17]

I was cleaning up an old fish bowl that I found at a garage sale and thought it would be prudent to do some test just in case (you never know why people sell those things anyway ).

I filled it with some water and noticed that the ammonia was pretty high (I never could quite understand that). So I washed it in hot water at least a dozen times and put in more water and the ammonia wasn't as high, but still not low enough for my fish. So I washed it a few more times and it was almost gone. So I used this thing called Ammo lock 2 to maybe break up what was left of the ammonia. So I did that and tested it... that's when things started getting weird.

When I would add the test solution it would instantly turn milky white then break up into little threads and in a matter of seconds turn crystal clear. I don't quite know what to make of it. I had bought a new betta and had the intention of putting it into this gallon bowl but I'm not sure if it's safe.

Two questions: What in the hell is going on with my test? It's fine when I test any of my other tanks.

Is it safe for my betta? (<--- that one is probably the more stupid of the two )

 

[black angel]

maybe the bowl was used for storing a different liquid to water. any residue from something toxic will show up. maybe you need to do lots of cleaning out to make it habitable again

 

[jkun17]

I figured out what was wrong. I just switched to amquel lately and apparently amquel is compatable with all test except Nessler Ammonia Tests. Guess which test I had, Nessler. I just prepared another batch water and am going to go buy a new test later.

Thank you, though, for your help.