ldsdbomber

What I would like to know is what is the tendency of all the tests when done with old/out of date bottles, as we had an ammonia of 0.25 with a kit that was a few years too old, but it was clearly 0 with a brand new test set.

quatermass

I find from my personal experience that the API Ammonia bottle tends to shift towards becoming more sensitive as it ages.

Of course just knowing Total Ammonia (which is what the API bottle tests) isn't the whole answer.

You also need to know the pH and temperature of the water to work out the amount of free ammonia which is the real toxic chemical we need to be aware of.

My raw tap water shows 0.25ppm of Total Ammonia. But at a pH of 6.8 and a temperature of 20C then this is only 0.0006246mg/l of free ammonia. So it's harmless to my fish, etc. but it will cause algae growth.


See http://theaquariumwiki.com/Ammonia
there are calculators of free ammonia available from there.

danisaquarium

Thank you so much! After researching test kits and reading Terry's post--I bought Walmart's $19.73 API freshwater master kit. In my first set of tests, I measured 0 for ammo, 0.05 (est) for nitr, and 0 for nitrates. So I tried again but this time shaking bottle#2 for 2-3 min and got 15 (the 10 & 20 PPM colors look almost exactly the same to me!)--which makes more sense for my 2.5-week-old cycling tank using stability (except I expected my cycle to take ~4 weeks).I also labeled my bottles with an expiration date based on their manufacture date and his post. I am happy with the results although I missed the speed of the Jungle Labs 6 in 1 test strips. I learned my pH was relatively high at 7.8 although the strips only indicate 7.2-7.4. I think pH is high because the the new substrate is the CaribbeanSea Eco Complete which the label said may cause higher pH for a few weeks or maybe because I put 3 fighting conch shells in the tank and 4 pieces of 'safe' driftwood.

quatermass

You're welcome.
Don't be surprised by Stability (). I've had a fish populated aquarium cycle in 5 days with this product. Isn't that why we buy it?

The speedy 6in1 test strips are actually made by Tetra and are not accurate. Think of them as an indication. Rather than giving you facts.

Sounds like a nice setup you're making. What have you got it is regarding animals?

Lucy

Let's please stay on topic.
Any quesrions about set up etc can be asked through profiles or pm's

This topic is about The API Master Kit

Ashley45

Great post!!! I was told that the numbers were the expiration dates and I was going frantic because I had spent 30 bucks on a kit that was expired!! Come to find out it is perfectly fine and I DO NOT have to out and spend more money on another kit!!

THANKS!!!!!!!

Ashley