Which Test Should I Believe?

[calpoly12]

I have been cycling my 8g bio-cube (salt) or a little over a week. Nitrates and nitrites are at zero. Ammonia is at .5-1.0 PPM according to the Master Test Kit (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/199591/product.web?gdftrk=gdfV2226_a_7c268_a_7c713_a_7c199591 ). I did take some water to my LFS and they tested it. They said that everything was ok and nothing was out of the norm. So, I bought a Chromie and three hermit crabs.
So, the million dollar question is who do I believe? I know that the LFS is trying to make a buck, but could it be that my test is "bad"? I must admit that I dont know how old my test kit is (picked it up from a friend who was leaving the hobby) so is it possible that it basically expired? Here are some questions that I have.
-Can test kits expire?
-Is there a "date" on the box saying when/if it can expire?
-I'm going to buy a new test kit, which should I buy? I would like one that can do both salt and fresh.
Hope to hear back from you guys/galls soon!

 

[we4wieners]

your ammonia still may have been present and your nitrates have yet to become active. If you had nothing in the cube to initiate a cycle...ie; damsel, market shrimp,live rock...whatever. It may not of even started to cycle. However, your chromis and crab may initiate a cycle. As all tanks just keep an eye on the fish, they'll let ya know. BTW, yes kits can go out of date.

 

[CLDarnell]

I would error on the side of caution. If your kit was old, it would be weak...in other words, not show as much ammonia as you really have. Not sure about all kits, but I have read some posts on here about kits expiring. Mine is still pretty new and I don't see an expiration date.

Most LFSs are probably using a dip strip. They are pretty good actually and really quick, but not as accurate as a Master test kit in my experience.

Just with the bit of information you provided, I would say your ammonia is still too high and that your kit seems to be fine.

 

[Laticauda]

Okay, that's a lot of information, so first let's start with whether tests will expire. Yes, they can. They have a date on the bottle that states what month/year it was made (the last four numbers of the LOT number.) They expire either 2 or 3 years after that date. I think you can find that information on the API website, or doing a simple google search.

Also, just because a LFS says "everything is fine" doesn't mean it's fine. While, yes, you may not have any toxic ("free") ammonia in your tank right now based on your temperature and pH, that does not mean that your tank is cycled. In order for your tank to be cycled, you will show absolutely NO ammonia, NO nitrites and begin to show nitrAtes. Until this happens, you do not have an established biofilter, and will need to be on top of your water quality to prevent damage to your current inhabitants.

Keep something in mind when purchasing a kit. The (API) ammonia tester uses chlorine, so if you have used any dechlorinator on the water within the last 24-48 hours of the test, then it will give skewed results.
Also! Test strips are historically inaccurate! I can't even count all the times that someone has said their test strips read "fine" when in fact their ammonia level was 8ppm (probably over, since that's the highest the test goes, and anything higher than that will give the same result.)

I've been trying to find a Seachem tester kit that doesn't use chlorine to test for ammonia. Most times when I am concerned about ammonia, I am doing frequent water changes, and need accurate results!

 

[calpoly12]

ah ok, I did put live rock and live sand in the first day of the tank. I just bought some chemi-pure today and removed the bioballs. Is there any test kit that I could buy that you guys know of right now that could show me my ammonia and all that jazz?

 

[we4wieners]

The API master saltwater kit...ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and pH

 

[calpoly12]

alright ill have to pick that one up!!