Avoiding false ammonia positives

[clawlan]

On the bio-safe bottle (dechlrinator), it says:

"Use of kits with Nessler reagents will result in false positive for ammonia. Bio-Safe is compatible with ammonia test kits that use salicylate reagents."

I am using an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals master test kit. Is this a Nessler or salicylate based kit?

Also, I have read that prime will give false positives. If this is that case and Bio-safe also can give false positives, then how will I know when my ammonia levels are safe after doing a water change and adding the dechlorinator? I guess the question is how long after adding a dechlorinator is is reliable to take an ammonia reading?

[Blueiz]

Yes, AP test kits test for total ammonia and will give a "false" positive. By saying total that means they will register the non toxic and the toxic form of ammonia, but you really don't know if the toxic form is present when using ammonia detoxifying products.

Purchase an ammo alert. Information on this can be found here. (http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/AmmoniaAlert.html)

Blue

[clawlan]

Yes, AP test kits test for total ammonia and will give a "false" positive. By saying total that means they will register the non toxic and the toxic form of ammonia, but you really don't know if the toxic form is present when using ammonia detoxifying products.

Purchase an ammo alert. Information on this can be found here. (http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/AmmoniaAlert.html)

Blue

Wow, thats great to know, i would have been doing water changes all night. So i'll run to the store tonight to pick up one of those. So I should do water changes till that reads SAFE?

One other thing, when not using any dechlorinators/de-ammoniafiers, the AP ammonia test is accurate right?

[Blueiz]

One other thing, when not using any dechlorinators/de-ammoniafiers, the AP ammonia test is accurate right?


You are correct. The wonderful thing about an ammo alert is you really never have to pull a test kit out to test your water, just look at the alert status..(of course unless you suspect it is wrong). The ammo alerts generally run about 7 dollars..


So I should do water changes till that reads SAFE?
Yes..:)

Blue

[clawlan]

You are correct. The wonderful thing about an ammo alert is you really never have to pull a test kit out to test your water, just look at the alert status..(of course unless you suspect it is wrong). The ammo alerts generally run about 7 dollars..


Yes..:)

Blue

I really appreciate your help Blue. :thm:

[SmallFishi]

Make sure you get the Seachem one in the link, dont' get the Mardel Live one they suck I had one.
As far as false positives the API tests for both but if your tank was cycled it is my understanding that neither will show up, therefore using Prime is still ok during a cycle because you just know it is the ammonium as it states that it detoxifies the ammonia so therefore if you hadn't used prime it would be showing that much ammonia..
I was confused for ages but I think I get it now.. lol :rolleyes:

[clawlan]

alrioght, i purchased a bottle of prime and the Seachem AmmoniaAlert device. Putting that into the tank now. I'll wait a while and see what it reads.

[clawlan]

After using a product like bio-safe or prime, how long before a regular ammonia test will become accurate?

[Hereford]

Here is some useful information from The Sceptical Aquarist http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/water/tetkit.shtml

Ammonia tests. There are two basic types of ammonia test kits. Nessler kits have one reagent, that is, a single bottle of liquid or one tablet to dissolve in your water sample. If your ammonia test kit registers in shades of amber, it's Nessler. They generally are quicker to use, but ammonia-locking products (e.g., AmQuel) will cause Nessler kits to give false positive readings.

The other type of kit is salicylate based, with two sets of reagents. If your ammonia test kit registers in shades of yellow to green to blue, it's salicylate. Salicylate test kits are unaffected by AmQuel and similar products, but they do take longer to develop a reading. If your water has chloramines and you're using AmQuel or somesuch, you'll need a salicylate NH3 test. This site has lots of pertinent articles, including citations.