Lucy

I can't find my API master kit instructions and I know it says something in there about this.

Can someone please explain the correlation between the 4 of these?

My daughter's tank has been empty, but we kept the cycle going using pure ammonia.

She bought some fish today so I did a 100% water change (the fish are acclimating now)

I used prime and tested with the API master kit and I'm getting an ammonia reading of between .25 and .50.

By any chance, am I picking up the less harmful ammonium and not ammonia?

I hope that made sense.

Edit: Mods, if this is in the wrong place, please feel free to move it.

kacie

I think that the test does not distinguish between ammonia and ammonium. I think ammonium is in water w/ a pH lower than 7 and unfortunately for me in water with a ph higher than 7. Hope this was helpful. I have my instructions handy if you want me to look up something specific.
Kacie

Lucy

Thanks kacie, it kinda does.
My tap water is 7.6 and tests 0 for ammonia.
But when I did the 100% water change, I used Prime and got the readings you see above.

kacie

Sucks but I think it's ammonia. Why? If I knew maybe I could get rid of my ammonia too.

Lucy

lol, water changes here I come!