API ammonia test turned BLUE??!!

[BiggF!sh]

I was testing my ammonia since I was cycling my tank and when I used my api test it turned blue. Attached is a photo showing what I mean. The photo does not capture too well the color difference but what does this mean?! Blue is not even on the chart! (I tested 3 times)

 

[NonstopSoda]

Im gonna guess it means your ammonia levels are off the charts high, How long has the tank been cycling? if you can, get a second opinion and get it tested at your LFS also.

 

[BiggF!sh]

Literally only one week, I accidentally added 8ppm and I don’t understand how these levels when up!

 

[BristleWormHater]

I was testing my ammonia since I was cycling my tank and when I used my api test it turned blue. Attached is a photo showing what I mean. The photo does not capture too well the color difference but what does this mean?! Blue is not even on the chart! (I tested 3 times)

I know this one lol. Just for funsies I stuck a ammonia test in my ammonium chloride bottle and it was a deep blue color, so I would assume your ammonia is very high? I think I've seen people saying that the api tests are inaccurate though.

 

[BiggF!sh]

I know this one lol. Just for funsies I stuck a ammonia test in my ammonium chloride bottle and it was a deep blue color, so I would assume your ammonia is very high? I think I've seen people saying that the api tests are inaccurate though.

How is it the possible my ammonia went up?

 

[Dan_P]

I was testing my ammonia since I was cycling my tank and when I used my api test it turned blue. Attached is a photo showing what I mean. The photo does not capture too well the color difference but what does this mean?! Blue is not even on the chart! (I tested 3 times)

What was the color yesterday?

 

[BiggF!sh]

What was the color yesterday?

Didn’t check yesterday, I was only test around once a week. When I added the ammonia the day after I tested and it was at 8

 

[littlefoxx]

Did you add an ammonia source?

 

[GatorGreg]

Literally only one week, I accidentally added 8ppm and I don’t understand how these levels when up!

I’m assuming you’re saying you accidentally dosed 8ppm of ammonium chloride while attempting to do a fishless cycle that you’re 1 week into.

If I have that correct.


That’s why your levels are off the chart. I believe you’re only supposed to add 2ppm. You’ve added 4 times the amount if I’m understanding you correctly

 

[Tired]

Literally only one week, I accidentally added 8ppm and I don’t understand how these levels when up!

This would be your problem. You added a lot of ammonia, causing the ammonia level to be very high.

You should do a big water change to fix that. A 75% or so water change should bring the ammonia down to a level that's good for cycling.

 

[BiggF!sh]

This would be your problem. You added a lot of ammonia, causing the ammonia level to be very high.

You should do a big water change to fix that. A 75% or so water change should bring the ammonia down to a level that's good for cycling.

Yeah I thought the same thing but my tank is 230g and it will take a really long time for my rodi filter to make that much water.

 

[BiggF!sh]

Did you add an ammonia source?

Nope

 

[GatorGreg]

Nope

I’m not sure you understand what you’re doing here.

What did you add 8ppm of?

He asked if you added an ammonia source and you said no.


So then what did you add 8ppm of

 

[BiggF!sh]

I’m not sure you understand what you’re doing here.

What did you add 8ppm of?

Ammonium chloride. About the idk what I’m doing here, your pretty right about that, lol

 

[Dan_P]

Didn’t check yesterday, I was only test around once a week. When I added the ammonia the day after I tested and it was at 8

I have seen this blue color with API and attributed it to me somehow contaminating the test solution. Never pursued it further.

 

[GatorGreg]

Ammonium chloride. About the idk what I’m doing here, your pretty right about that, lol

That’s ok. Everyone here can help.

You’ll get through it. What you added is your ammonia source. The poster that recommended water changes is the correct course of action most likely.

A 260 gallon is big by large lol. I feel for you on the labor it’s going to take to make enough water to accomplish that

 

[BiggF!sh]

That’s ok. Everyone here can help.

You’ll get through it. What you added is your ammonia source

Thank you all for your reply, hopefully I will wager this fixed! :)

 

[GatorGreg]

Thank you all for your reply, hopefully I will wager this fixed! :)

I gotta see this monster. Post a pic of this beast. 260 gallons is freaking huge

 

[BiggF!sh]

I gotta see this monster. Post a pic of this beast. 260 gallons is freaking huge

It’s in the works but it will be awesome when done!

 

[GatorGreg]

It’s in the works but it will be awesome when done!

Bruh……that is freaking epic.

Congratulations that is a nice tank. Nice home too!!