What could cause a false reading on ammonia tests?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
thebiggerthebetter said:
Sounds strange indeed. It'd be a very good idea and good practice to own your own test kit, e.g., liquid Master Kit from API is was I always use - only $23 from say Petsolutions.com and ~150-500 tests per each kind.

Then one could start with a simple experiment: check your tap water, check tank water before and right after say a 90% water change and then monitoring it.

API NH3 remover does not remove NH3 but converts into a far less toxic NH4+ = Ammonium. Both Ammonia and Ammonium read the same on the tests. Also, most nitrogen-contaning dyes can generate false positive, e.g., Acriflavine - a common anticeptic. But for it to be so dark is quite weird and for your fish to be ok is even stranger.

WC's take out Ammonium.

Also, zeolites, under certain conditions can release what they adsorb, especially if not replaced as recommended. It may be your old zeolites too.

IMO, you have to play and experiment (and learn doing so) to figure this one out.

Good luck!
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x2 on the testing your tap... rule out as many variables as possible... also are you useing the same bottles from the start? ive had water conditioners ect go bad on me in the past and cause some issues.... also are all your decor fishtank safe? make sure they are.. its unlikely but if something isn't fish safe this may be where the ammonia is comeing from... being your nitrites are 0 and nitrates are what?... You may be dealing with inadequete biological media.. but I doubt it. The only other thing i can think is that you used the tank for a turtle that ammonia has leeched into the silicone which is now leeching back out.. but i'm not sure if its even possible... reguardless large frequent water changes will only help... if youve had multiple sources testthe water and give the ammonia reading its best to assume its right.
 
The last resident was a 14 inch jag/dovii. All the decorations are previously used in another set up. I have'nt taken apart the filters, still using same biowheels. Just aggravating, is all.

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How about have you checked the expiration date on the test kit? Even if your going to the lfs to test you water (cuz I think you are) you should see for yourself. Also those strip testers are not accurate at all so if the lfs is using those that would clearly explain the problem. The best kits are the liquid test kits, most reliable (but also most expensive).
 
If he's had it tested at different places and they all show the water as toxic i doubt it is his home test. If youve run ammonia absorbing media while you were supposed to be cycling your tank, then it could be those absorbed ammonia while your bacteria were growing, slowing their growth. What can happen is that the media gets saturated, then stops working. Once that happens, the bacteria that is there will be insufficient for the new influx of ammonia and now it will have to play catch up. I'm not sure thats the problem, since it would show up as more of a spike than a constant high level, but if it shows off the charts ammonia the whole time, theres no way to know where you are at and if the levels go up
 
I'm doing a water change tonight. I'll take a sample of tap water and the tank water to be tested. I might order my own test kit tomorow when I get paid.

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I'd do daily water changes, 20-30% for a week to see if it changes your ammonia reading. if the water source has ammonia it wont make a difference, but if the ammonia source (assuming there indeed is one) is in the tank you'll see your ammonia drop over time.
 
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