Reading Ammonia - API Test Kit

[bcfishtanks]

All right, so as if the ammonia test in the API Master Test Kit isn't hard enough to read as it is, I now have tannins in my water, which I feel makes it even harder to differentiate between the 0 ppm and the .25 ppm. Anyone have any tips here?

I'm not as concerned about it in my 10g because that one's been running without issue with for several months now, and especially since I finished fully planting it. My 5g is fairly new, however, and was cycled quickly due to filter media being brought over from the 10g tank. I'm keeping a close eye on it, but the growing natural tannins (which I have chosen to incorporate) are starting to interfere with my readings. I'll be gone to dog sit for a week soon and leaving my boyfriend in charge of both tanks, so I want to have assurance that they're stabilized before then. I can come home, technically, but it'll be a pain.

 

[APColorado]

have you tried putting the tubes against a white paper?

 

[bcfishtanks]

have you tried putting the tubes against a white paper?

Yes, and I try all sorts of lighting. I just don't know if the base color would be different for each reading since the tank water is tinted.

 

[John58ford]

You could try using the aquarium note app, it has a built in color matching tool that might filter out the tannins. I'm sure there are others like it but a few people here have liked that one.

 

[bcfishtanks]

Thank you. I don't have the issue with the other colors, but since the ammonia test is yellow/green, it's a bit of a pain.

 

[APColorado]

Thank you. I don't have the issue with the other colors, but since the ammonia test is yellow/green, it's a bit of a pain.

I understand your frustration with the ammonia test colors, my philosophy when in doubt, consider it to have ammonia to be on the safe side

 

[Theulli]

If you're really concerned and have it on hand dose the tank with Prime before you leave. It won't hurt anything if there's little to no ammonia, and would buy you some time for your bacteria to catch up if there is.

 

[bcfishtanks]

True. I may come home during the middle of the week to test and do any water changes if necessary.