API colormetric chart is dumb.

[Olbensen]

Do my eyes deceive me or is this ammonia test result none of the colors in the chart? I know this brand is cheap but what the heck? First reef tank, mid cycle.

 

[Rocks reef]

It may be higher than 8.0ppm, hence the blue green color. I'd wait a couple days and retest.

 

[Rocks reef]

Are you able to get your hands on a Salifert kit? Those tend to me more accurate than API

 

[Olbensen]

Are you able to get your hands on a Salifert kit? Those tend to me more accurate than API

Yeah I’ve heard they’re great. I was hoping I could get through a first cycle with something cheap.

 

[Rocks reef]

You definately can. Are you doing a fishless cycle? Are you dosing any type of bacteria? Usually you will see ammonia start dropping around 3-4 weeks in a fishless cycle. It will be quicker if you add bacteria. Something like Dr. Tims is an option.

 

[Olbensen]

You definately can. Are you doing a fishless cycle? Are you dosing any type of bacteria? Usually you will see ammonia dropping around 3-4 weeks in a fishless cycle. It will be quicker if you add bacteria. Something like Dr. Tims is an option.

Yeah, Microbacter 7, ammonia dosing. I ordered some Dr Tim’s, should be here in the morning. I’m about 10 days into cycling.

 

[Garf]

Do my eyes deceive me or is this ammonia test result none of the colors in the chart? I know this brand is cheap but what the heck? First reef tank, mid cycle.

Blueish hues have been reported when the salinity is way high.

 

[Olbensen]

Blueish hues have been reported when the salinity is way high.

My salinity is 1.024 at the moment.

 

[PotatoPig]

Troubleshooting:

1. Mix up plain salt water to the same concentration you did for the tank.
2. Test a sample of that as a control.
3. Take a sample from the tank and dilute with an equal quantity of fresher mixed salt water - ie take 10ml from the tank, 10ml from the new batch, mix, then take 5ml from that to test. Then you double the result.

Th will help identify if you’re waaay over ammonia by testing at half the tank concentration.

 

[Dan_P]

Do my eyes deceive me or is this ammonia test result none of the colors in the chart? I know this brand is cheap but what the heck? First reef tank, mid cycle.

What is the nitrite concentration?

 

[Olbensen]

What is the nitrite concentration?

As of today:
Ammonia 2.0
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 5.0

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The tank seems still cycling, wait it out until ammonia gets to zero, seems like your almost there.

 

[Dan_P]

As of today:
Ammonia 2.0
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 5.0

Looks like progress is being made. While nitrite is present the nitrate measurement will be higher than the true value. 5 ppm nitrite corresponds ~1 ppm ammonia oxidized.