Weird Water Reading For Ammonia

[Nicomarie]

Since buying a API master test kit I can't get a zero ammonia test result at all on any water!!
I got a 0.25ppm reading from the tank water so performed a 60% water change, tested water again same reading. I continued with a 10% change every day still getting the same 0.25.
After a week and a half of this I've done another 50% change and it still reads the same so I decided to test just tap water & tap water with tetra aqua safe and compared all 3 results are the same 0.25.
I've followed the test instructions and followed word for word.
My other tests are good 0 no2 & 10 no3.

I've added a picture to show my readings left tap, middle tap + aqua safe, right tank.
Next to card or just tap, and tap + aqua safe.

Am I going mad? Need some glasses? Is this possible?

 

[Mamashack]

It's almost impossible to get a 0ppm on API - as long as it's 0-0.25ppm it should be ok. Just make sure the test kit is in date. If so I wouldn't worry about 0.25ppm too much. As long as it's similar to your tap water result it should be fine.

 

[gh74]

no harm in the littlest amount of ammonia in your tank,i guarantee if you asked your LPS to check there tanks there tanks will have a little ammonia in them,what if you clean your filter in a bucket of tank water and do %20-30 water change. it might help

 

[Nicomarie]

I gave the sponges a good squeeze in some of the tank water I took out but this wouldn't really help as my treated tap water measured for the same amount of ammonia.
I've had no casualties/illness except for a mollie who tried to make a bid for freedom this morning (the cats thought all their birthdays came at once & nope I wasn't quicker than the cats!! ) so I'll just keep with what I'm doing & keep a close I for signs of trouble.

Thanks for advice

 

[cambojnr]

You are always gonna get a little reading of ammonia anyway as fish are always doing their business in the tank.

 

[the_lock_man]

You are always gonna get a little reading of ammonia anyway as fish are always doing their business in the tank.

 
Not quite, no. The amount of ammonia showing in a properly cycled tank should always be 0ppm - the actual amount of ammonia in the water should be too small for a hobbyist test kit to detect.
 
The thing with the API kit is that the test shows more yellow than the colour printed on the card - it's just that the colour printed on the card is kinda too yellow. With my Salifert kit, I always get a plain clear 0ppm result.

 

[Nicomarie]

Thanks all for the input I was just sure that I'd read that that reading is fine short term but over time will cause poisoning?

 

[Essjay]

One thing to ask - when you read the test, what light are you using? Daylight, energy saving bulbs, other light bulbs? The API ammonia tester is well known for looking greener than it really is under fluorescent lights, and these include energy saving bulbs of the compact fluorescent type. Old fashioned light bulbs give a truer reading as do halogen bulbs (I did a test with our assortment of bulbs) though we didn't have any LEDs at the time so I've no idea about them.
The best light light for reading the test is daylight.
 
I wouldn't worry about your reading of 0.25. You might well get the same result with pure water (distilled, R/O etc) simply because of the limitations of the tester.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Have you tested your tap water for ammonia?  I find my tap water has some ammonia... but my filter breaks it down within several hours (so I never test my tank right after a water change)... for example... I cleaned my big tank yesterday... my new ammonia test kit arrived today and I tested my water and it did score a 0. 

 

[Nicomarie]

I've stood in front room, kitchen and garden, it was a fairly nice day too, they do look yellow until I place it next to the card.

Will just have to presume all is ok as there is nothing else I can do.

 

[gh74]

That reading of your ammonia is spot on,my reading in my tank is 0 it used to be the same reading as yours and even higher,let me text my mate there is a wee white pouch you can get to put in your filter and it sorts out your tank levels etc it sorted mine all out as my readings were all over the place for a few days,and since ive had the pouch in the tank my readings are great

ok he text me back there and that pouch is called....Purigen  hope this wee bit of info helps