Newbie Water testing question

Justmike

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last night I tested my water with the api test kit , everything was normal. 0 amonia. I left the vial out and went to bed . This morning when I woke up the color in the vial changed and showed traces of amonia . Is it possible if left overnight the vial increases in amonia ?
 

ahiggins

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The test is designed to be read at a certain time limit (or if using a titration test, a certain drop limit). If you leave it sit, it will turn darker/lighter and will also turn cloudy.
Dont read anything into it, when the timer went off last night-that was the correct reading. (The longer the solution sits after the timer goes off, the further away from "accurate" youre going to be)

Personally though, if you want my opinion, dont use api kits. Ive never used them because Ive heard so many negative things about them. I like salifert. Theyre more expensive but for me-more accuracy is worth it. Especially the amount of money we put into these tanks.
 

JackDE

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The test is designed to be read at a certain time limit (or if using a titration test, a certain drop limit). If you leave it sit, it will turn darker/lighter and will also turn cloudy.
Dont read anything into it, when the timer went off last night-that was the correct reading. (The longer the solution sits after the timer goes off, the further away from "accurate" youre going to be)

Personally though, if you want my opinion, dont use api kits. Ive never used them because Ive heard so many negative things about them. I like salifert. Theyre more expensive but for me-more accuracy is worth it. Especially the amount of money we put into these tanks.

+1
 

ahiggins

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no problem :)
if you ever have chemistry questions, check out the reef chemistry forum with Randy Holmes-Farley.
Piece of advice though...ease your way into it HAHAHA theres a ton of complicated stuff, can be overwhelming.
 

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