testing water

[mishi8]

Nessler-based kits don't distinguish between ammonia and ammonium. Ammonium is the end result with a product like Prime or Amquel and it is still usable by plants like ammonia, but not (as?) harmful to fish, like ammonia. So, the nessler-based kits will have you jumping at shadows while the Salicylate test will give you ammonia readings, not ammonium.

Okay, so if another chloramine removing product, such as AquaPlus, is used, then I assume that there would be legit readings for ammonia (once the chloramine bond has been broken), but because AquaPlus doesn't do anything to "neutralize" or change the ammonia to ammonium, then it shouldn't negate the use of test strips? At this point I'm using Prime and AP liquid tests, but may switch back to using AquaPlus (I'm not going to change to test strips though!)...it's good to learn as much as I can about the products I'm using...they sure don't give this info on the product labels!

mishi8

 

[Harlock]

Yes, mishi in that situation where the chlorine-ammonia bond is broken, it's legit, toxic ammonia floating around the tank and the nessler will show it. Just for the record, it's not recommended to have lots of ammonia in the tank, even if you can detect it, unless it is for a purpose like fihsless cycling.

 

[mishi8]

Yes, mishi in that situation where the chlorine-ammonia bond is broken, it's legit, toxic ammonia floating around the tank and the nessler will show it. Just for the record, it's not recommended to have lots of ammonia in the tank, even if you can detect it, unless it is for a purpose like fihsless cycling.

Thanks, Harlock. Luckily I'm at a point in my cycle now where ammonia is at a constant 0...now if only the nitrites would get there soon!

mishi8

 

[Harlock]

Thanks, Harlock. Luckily I'm at a point in my cycle now where ammonia is at a constant 0...now if only the nitrites would get there soon!

mishi8

Patience is all that's left. Just think; in the long run, fishless cycling is shorter than fishy and then slowly adding fish in twos or threes. Plus, your fish will not have had the trauma of cycling and the subsequent possibilty of shortened lifespan, etc.

 

[pjfish]

Nessler-based kits don't distinguish between ammonia and ammonium. Ammonium is the end result with a product like Prime or Amquel and it is still usable by plants like ammonia, but not (as?) harmful to fish, like ammonia. So, the nessler-based kits will have you jumping at shadows while the Salicylate test will give you ammonia readings, not ammonium.

If the test strip shows 0, does that mean there isn't any ammonia or ammonium? I don't yet have a liquid test kit, but the strip for ammonia shows 0 so I'm thinking I may be ok. Right?

 

[gsk177]

If you have been using the same strips during the entire process, Id say you have a fairly accurate reading of 0 NH3 (ammonia). You should be okay.
Add another does of ammonia to the tank to get you to about 4ppm of NH3 on your test strip. If the NH3 reading drop to ZERO in 24 hours, then you should be okay.

I am currently conducting a non-scientific study of the Pentair 6 way test strips vs my Aquarium Pharmacuticals liquid test kit and I am comparing the results given by each test. You can follow it here http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44718

So far, I have found that BOTH tests give you roughly the same results. Neither test gives you a 100% definate # of NH3ppm but BOTH put you in roughly the same ballpark. Close enough for most hobbiests.

 

[JSchmidt]

I am not sure that salicylate tests will give you accurate results when using Prime. A year or two ago, I tested my chloriminated water that had been treated with Prime and some without, and got some screwy results. About that time, I read a number of things on several forums that suggested Prime played hob with Nessler and salicylate tests. I seem to recall that the only accurate measure of free ammonia with Prime was to use ammonia 'badges' sold by Seachem that you put in your tank. They indicate the presence of ammonia. It's been long enough ago that the precise details are fuzzy for me, but the upshot was that Prime seemed to give questionable results with Nessler and salicylate tests. Anyone else remember this or something similar?

Salicylate tests are necessary to detect toxic ammonia in water treated with Amquel and AmmoLock2, though, of that I'm sure.

Jim