Api Test Kit Ammonia

[kniesh]

Hi, I just done my first test on my new tank, it doesn't have anything but uncured live rock in and has been like that with an external Fluval 305 running for just over 3 weeks. I ran tests using an API Test kit, I got Nitrate and Nitrite as 0, PH about 8 and Ammonia for some reason came back as completely clear both times I done it. According to the chart it should go between yellow and green, does anyone know why this is? I plan on adding all my proper Live Rock and Live sand at some point this week

 

[ReddSamurai]

unusual. your definitely using 8 drops of bottle 1 shaking and then 8 drops of bottle 2, right ?
 
try shaking both bottles vigorously(from what i heard the contents can settle sometimes)
 
if all else fails get into contact with them(API)

 

[kniesh]

My fault sorry, I was so eager to get it done I didn't read it properly all is good, got a proper reading now. Thanks for your help

 

[xXLeafeonXx]

 API are notoriously inaccurate. I use a red sea kit. 

 

[Ch4rlie]

 API are notoriously inaccurate. I use a red sea kit. 

 
Really? notoriously inaccurate? 
 
I'd believe that if you said API test strips are notoriously inaccurate............thats because they are! 
 
But the liquid test kit, always thought they were ok, lots of people on this forum recommended API master test kit, therefore thats what I test my water parameters with. 
 
Not the best but certainly not the worst IMO.

 

[xXLeafeonXx]

For saltwater?This was copied from one of my saltwater forum that said that too me i recommend I got a better test kit which i did.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Ahh, gotcha! 

 
Whew, for a minute thought was using the wrong test kits for my FW tank! 

 

[Donya]

But the liquid test kit, always thought they were ok, lots of people on this forum recommended API master test kit, therefore thats what I test my water parameters with. 
 
Not the best but certainly not the worst IMO.

 
I've seen the API results against a number of other brands in saltwater as well as freshwater. The main difference I've seen for things like NH4 and NO2 is resolution in the reading (the smallest distinguishable increment). Some kits do really tiny increments for lower readings. I keep two kits on hand for this reason, API for ballpark and another (I forget the brand...don't use it much) if I need to know the value between the API increments for some reason. API NH4 also gets a bad rap in saltwater because the solution is cloudy rather than clear, so new salties have a hard time telling what zero is. However, the issue is not unique to API's kits; a number of others have the same problem and the solution with any of them is just to check against a reference value. 

 

[Skies]

I've heard that API isn't the best test kit for Reefs... HOWEVER... They are definitely the one you want to have if you're running freshwater...

 

[xXLeafeonXx]

Yes they are a good test kit for fresh water.