api test kit

[freak45]

soo for last 3 weeks i keep testing for all my levels but ammonia just never seems to be shown its always clear ...do i have a bad batch of an ammonia tester?

 

[molliwopp]

Well that depends.. Maybe it is clear?
How olds your tank?
Is your tank cycled?
Do you have fish or any other ammonia source in it yet?

 

[jlk]

Are you using both bottles for the ammonia and nitrate tests? They are 2-step tests. Make sure your shaking well before testing, too.

 

[freak45]

Well that depends.. Maybe it is clear?
How olds your tank?
Is your tank cycled?
Do you have fish or any other ammonia source in it yet?

tank is 3weeks ok still doing my fish in cycle
and yes i have fish as well

 

[freak45]

Are you using both bottles for the ammonia and nitrate tests? They are 2-step tests. Make sure your shaking well before testing, too.

they are i just assume they are extra bottels so i add both bottles too huh
ah i misread : /

yikes time for a water change

 

[freak45]

i'm at 1.0ppm soo i do a 50% water change..and then wait an hour and recheck again

 

[Convict2161]

i'm at 1.0ppm soo i do a 50% water change..and then wait an hour and recheck again

Do a water change to get that number down.

 

[freak45]

Do a water change to get that number down.

doing a 50% right now soo exicted now that i'm cycling haha XD

 

[Convict2161]

doing a 50% right now soo exicted now that i'm cycling haha XD

Yea a fish in cycle your gonna want to keep testing and keep up on water changes.

 

[freak45]

Yea a fish in cycle your gonna want to keep testing and keep up on water changes.

should i add in prime before or after my changes

 

[molliwopp]

Well id say before but probably either. Can u add it to the fresh water before you change it?

 

[freak45]

yea i added before i added the water in now to wait to test for the ammonia again althoguht my fish are schooling seem pretty happy haha

 

[Convict2161]

should i add in prime before or after my changes

I add Prime as I'm filling up the tank

 

[molliwopp]

yea i added before i added the water in now to wait to test for the ammonia again althoguht my fish are schooling seem pretty happy haha

If you had 1ppm and did a 50% it will be 0.5ppm. Easy math

 

[freak45]

Idk I did two 50% water changes and still get 1ppm here's a pic of it

 

[freak45]

well found the problem its my tap water that was the ammonia soo now idk what to do

 

[freak45]

i still don't have nitrites yet still at 0ppm but sucks that my tap got the ammonia in it but again i am using prime soo idk

 

[Convict2161]

Idk I did two 50% water changes and still get 1ppm here's a pic of it

Hmmm... Have you tested tap water(sorry if this was asked already)

Do another water change, any fish missing? Over feeding?

 

[freak45]

Yes I did test the tap and that's the source of the problem

 

[Convict2161]

Yes I did test the tap and that's the source of the problem

Ok that's good to know. Maybe you need a purifier or use distilled water or RO/DI