test kit - ammonia

[haleybeth30]

I got a master test kit today, followed instructions while testing ammonia and the results were absolutely clear? The chart states yellow is 0 ppm?? I held it in the light against white part of chart after 5 min.s and see no color.. help appreciated =)

 

[Voshon247]

Are you sure you put the right amounts and check and see if it is expired. Some tend to expire a no one notices

 

[haleybeth30]

ha ha nevrrmind. I just retested it, so far yellow/good. I missed a step, sorry and thank you. Nitrite next

 

[haleybeth30]

ok my ammonia is 0.25 what do I do? I'm testing nitrite now. Thanks again

 

[cbourg746]

ok my ammonia is 0.25 what do I do? I'm testing nitrite now. Thanks again

Water change of 50-70% right now.

 

[HUKIT]

ok my ammonia is 0.25 what do I do? I'm testing nitrite now. Thanks again

0.25ppm is fine, the lower your PH the more toxic ammonia is.

 

[haleybeth30]

to clarify, =) so because my PH is high the ammonia level is ok?

 

[HUKIT]

to clarify, =) so because my PH is high the ammonia level is ok?

Yes the higher the PH the lower the toxicity of ammonia. What where the nitrites? Remember to shake to day lights of the bottles and tube when testing for nitrates.

 

[cbourg746]

0.25ppm is fine, the lower your PH the more toxic ammonia is.

I have no tolerance for ammonia in my tanks. 0.25 is too high in my book. That tube has to be yellow for my approval. I agree that the higher ph will make it more tolerable, but I feel safer when it reads 0!

 

[haleybeth30]

ok my nitrite is .50 so I'm heading for a water change after all? did 50 % day before yesterday

 

[haleybeth30]

testing nitrate now and shaking good

 

[erikmoseley]

I have no tolerance for ammonia in my tanks. 0.25 is too high in my book. That tube has to be yellow for my approval. I agree that the higher ph will make it more tolerable, but I feel safer when it reads 0!

Agreed but my main tank always seems to be .25 and I have tons of filtration and do pwc every week w no issues. Even right after a change its .25. Tap has ammonia but sometimes it gets to zero for a short time. It SHOULD be ok hopefully. Mine has been for 6 months

 

[cbourg746]

testing nitrate now and shaking good

Make sure to let that tube sit for 5 mins. If your ammonia and nitrite are high the presence of nitrate is a good thing.

 

[Mogurako]

Yes the higher the PH the lower the toxicity of ammonia. What where the nitrites? Remember to shake to day lights of the bottles and tube when testing for nitrates.

I thought it was the other way around?! The higher the PH the more toxic the ammonia is and if the PH is too low ammonia can convert to nitrites instead of nitrates.

 

[HUKIT]

I thought it was the other way around?! The higher the PH the more toxic the ammonia is and if the PH is too low ammonia can convert to nitrites instead of nitrates.

Your right, sorry long day.

 

[haleybeth30]

ammonia 0.25
nitrite .50
nitrate 5.0

thank you

 

[Mogurako]

Your right, sorry long day.

There's a first!

 

[cbourg746]

There's a first!

Just spit beer all over the iPad!!! Thanks a lot guys!!!!

 

[Mogurako]

Just spit beer all over the iPad!!! Thanks a lot guys!!!!

Glad to help bud!

 

[Mogurako]

ammonia 0.25
nitrite .50
nitrate 5.0

thank you

That's still pretty high ammonia and nitrites , I would continue to do daily water changes until those two come down. The fact that there's nitrates means you're on the right track though.