EdnJean

Hi,

I took an ammonia reading last night and got about 0.5ppm. This morning, the colour is a definite yellow, suggesting zero.

Which is the true reading?

Ed

Shawnie

hmmm who knows...but if you had a reading of it last night, and none today, maybe it was after a feeding with left over food? and then the bacteria ate it up this am?? ....can you see the lot # on your bottle? the last 4 numbers are the month and year your kit expires...could it be expired?

Dozey

What kind of test kit are you using? Some are far less accurate then others. If you are using test strips it’s likely that either test is accurate.

I might suggest that you take two more readings, a few minutes apart to compare them to your first tests. If the readings are still all over the place get rid of your test kit.

What are your nitrite and nitrate reading? Have you just recently added fish to the tank?

catbtony

How are your fish acting
When was your last water change?
How often and how much water do you change??

EdnJean

Hi, Thanks for the responses....so many questions.

The Test Kit is API.
I will check expiry date when I get home.
Last water change was about 20% on Saturday afternoon. Test was done sunday night.
Nitrites are Zero, Nitrates about 5, pH is about 6.9.
Fish are acting normal.
I made a mistake in cleaning my filter a couple weeks back and think I may have sent my tank into a mini cycle, so I have been doing about 20-30% water change every 2-3 days. Ammonia has never gotten higher than 1, nor Nitrates higher than 10.

Ed

Lucy

I agree with Shawnie.....just keep an eye on the parameters for a few days and change the water if you have signs of ammonia before your regular weekly maintenance.

EdnJean

Yes, Shawnie...it appears my kit has expired. The date reads 0806!

Are you sure this is the expiry date, not date of manufacture?

I will go back to the LFS that sold it to me and complain, try to have it replaced with a new one.

Regards

Ed

jdhef

I hate to second guess Shawnie, because she's pretty darn knowledgeable, but I believe that date is the date of manufacture. I think I remember reading the kit should be good for three years after that date.