testing ammonia - how "yellow" must the water be? I see a tiny tiny tiny greenish hue

[Bubble_B0y]

i'm using the API dropper ammonia test kit.

If I was being super critical. I would say my reading is BELOW 0.25. (Maybe a 0.10 or 0.15)
But I asked for a second opinion from my brother, he said the test tube looked yellow (NO green)
In different lights, the shade of yellow varies. Maybe it's just my eyes


I also tested my nitrate (<10ppm)
nitrite (DEFINITELY zero)


I have a 40 gallon with:
1 angelfish
1 pearl gourami
6 cories
8 white clouds

[librarygirl]

How long has the tank been set up? Are you cycling with fish or has the tank been established for a while?

I had trouble with the 0 reading too. Away from the card it looks yellow, but holding it against the card makes it look closer to 0.25. I then tested some distilled water and it looked the same, so now I know what a 0 reading looks like. If you have some distilled water or spring water on-hand (or if you know for sure your tap water is 0 ammonia) you could test it and compare the two and see if they are the same; if they are, then your tank is 0, if the tank is slightly greener, then it isn't.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

[Bubble_B0y]

I had trouble with the 0 reading too. Away from the card it looks yellow, but holding it against the card makes it look closer to 0.25.

EXACTLY! this is what happens with me too.
My fish are swimming happily. But I'm just a perfectionist - hence the query



thanks. I shall try that comparative test.
My tank has been running for 3months.

[jetajockey]

if it makes you feel any better < .25 ammonia isn't likely to do any harm to the fish anyhow unless your ph is up near the mid 8's.

[Bubble_B0y]

Originally Posted by jetajockey

if it makes you feel any better < .25 ammonia isn't likely to do any harm to the fish anyhow unless your ph is up near the mid 8's.

thanks.
I know ammonia toxicity increases with higher temperatures and higher pH.

My tank temperature is at 24C (75F).
My pH is 7.8