False amonia reading on API test.

HandofThanatos · Dec 23, 2019

I am new to saltwater, but have a few years worth of freshwater experience.

I have been checking ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate daily for a week. The ammonia has read .25 (as far as I can tell) , nitrite at 0, and nitrate I have been keeping between 5 and 10 (again as far as I can tell).

Tank is a couple months old. From my freshwater experiences, I saw .25 ammonia and raising nitrates with 0 nitrites and waited a few days and added some fish.

I have been slowly adding some more fish and hardy corals every week for a month now, but the amonia didn't seem to go down.

Looked into it and saw a bunch of people saying that the API master kit gives false positives all the time.

I tested some salt water I bought from my LFS and it tested positive right out of his RODI tank...

I guess the long and short of this post is I would like to know if anyone has some advice on what I can do to test it accurately. I put some high end coral in there and I would like to make sure they continue to do well, but I have been doing water changes about 2-3 times a week because I thought there was something wrong, and I would like to know if I need to continue this, or I can go back to my normal weekly water change every sunday.

I attached a picture of the test if it helps to determine if they both tested the same. Left is from the tank (just did a water change, so I presume that is why it is cloudy) and the right is the "fresh" salt water from my LFS.

Thank you all for any advice in advance.

Crabs McJones · Dec 23, 2019

Welcome to R2R!
Yes the API test kit is known for false ammonia readings. Personally I'd look into the salifert test kits. They're inexpensive and work great :)

#WelcometoR2R

UCF Alum · Dec 23, 2019

Welcome to the REEF!

I concur with Crabs. They are notorious for showing .25 even after your tank has cycled.

HandofThanatos · Dec 23, 2019

Crabs McJones said:
Welcome to R2R!
Yes the API test kit is known for false ammonia readings. Personally I'd look into the salifert test kits. They're inexpensive and work great :)

#WelcometoR2R

Thank you! Is this something that a fish store would have in stock?

I realize I am quite lucky and live 5 minutes from both WWC and Top Shelf Aquatics, but I don't really know the "standard dry good stocks at places

Thanks again for the help!

Crabs McJones · Dec 23, 2019

HandofThanatos said:
Thank you! Is this something that a fish store would have in stock?

I realize I am quite lucky and live 5 minutes from both WWC and Top Shelf Aquatics, but I don't really know the "standard dry good stocks at places

Thanks again for the help!

I believe so. Best to call ahead before making the trip, but most of the local stores around me carry the salifert :)

UCF Alum · Dec 23, 2019

HandofThanatos said:
Thank you! Is this something that a fish store would have in stock?

I realize I am quite lucky and live 5 minutes from both WWC and Top Shelf Aquatics, but I don't really know the "standard dry good stocks at places

Thanks again for the help!

Clermont here! Both stores have them.

HandofThanatos · Dec 23, 2019

UCF Alum said:
Clermont here! Both stores have them.

Cool thanks!

I feel like I live at top shelf, 80% of my tank stock is from there lol. Pretty sure they all just know me there as the guy who buys fancy stuff even though I am new

Iconicjellyfish · Dec 23, 2019

had the same issue took a water sample to my local fish store and picked up the salifert test kit had no ammonia even though the api kit said .25, worth the money for the salifert!