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Author Topic: Ammonia Alert vs. Master Test Kit  (Read 1081 times)
teetsymomo
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Ammonia Alert vs. Master Test Kit
« on: November 26, 2010, 10:50:36 PM »
I had the Ammonia Alert detector in my tank for well over two weeks. It stated my ammonia levels were safe. Today, I purchased the Master Test Kit, and according to the test (I did it twice) it stated my ammonia level was at 2.0. I wanted to make sure that the Ammonia Alert detector was actually working, so I placed it in a glass of water with some Lysol and BAMM! it went toxic. I'm finding this quite odd and I'm not sure what product to trust. I was totally freaked out earlier when the test came back positive. I'm going to PetSmart tomorrow and hopefully they will be able to test my water for ammonia, but in the interim, I'm so confused, I don't know what to trust.

Oh yeah. My PH is 7.2 and all of my other numbers are perfect.
« Last Edit: November 26, 2010, 11:15:25 PM by teetsymomo » Logged
Hanna
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Re: Ammonia Alert vs. Master Test Kit
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2010, 12:17:48 AM »
Teetsymomo, your tank is stil cycling.
Did you add STABILITY too? This is beneficial bacteria, to avoid "new tank syndrome" and also to convert Ammonia into Nitrite and Nitrate.
I use the MasterTest kit.
To check for its good function, do a test with each with plain tap water.
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April
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Re: Ammonia Alert vs. Master Test Kit
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2010, 12:28:43 AM »
I can appreciate your level of anxiety over this. Do you have or can you get any Prime by Seachem? I recently started using this and was delighted to learn that it not only removes chlorine and chloramines but it also detoxifies nitrites, nitrates and ammonia! The same company makes Stability - another awesome product, and great to use together when cycling a tank.

I have eyeballed those ammonia detectors in the store but feel the liquid tests are the most accurate. Hanna is absolutely right about testing the tap water too, I test mine once a week because it fluctuates so much in my city.
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teetsymomo
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Re: Ammonia Alert vs. Master Test Kit
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2010, 12:41:20 AM »
I'm not sure what prime is, but I have the Neutral Regulator from seachem.

I'm guessing maybe my ammonia level isn't bad. I know I'm cycling right now and the numbers are going to fluctuate, but  I love my new babies (even that poop machine, Momo)  Shocked

I've been putting in my tank, aquarium salt, goldfish protect, stress-ezyme Neutral regulator and that stuff that makes the tank clear. Mines a tad cloudy, but I'm thinking that's due to the cycling. I was going to go out tomorrow to buy some Ammno-lock, melafix and some ich medicine. (I'm not sure if Momo the super pooper, has it or not) I saw something that looked like it, but now it's gone.

thank you so much for all your help.

April, is Mr. Tailor doing better? How do you like your tank. I'm planning on getting the same one.  Grin
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Nossie
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Re: Ammonia Alert vs. Master Test Kit
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2010, 04:08:04 AM »
Skip the Ammo Lock, please, it'll only give you inaccurate test results for weeks after use! Undecided April has some experience with it, and... well, it doesn't sound that great Wink

I say you could skip on half the chemicals too. Just add beneficial bacteria of your choice, and a good water conditioner. Do water changes whenever the ammonia reaches over 1 or so, change more the higher the values Smiley
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Mindemae
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Re: Ammonia Alert vs. Master Test Kit
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2010, 09:23:28 PM »
Teesty,
Nossie is right!
All you need is the water condtioner and the beneficial bacteria.
Your tank is way too small with 2 goldfish in it and you are going to have alot of problems cycling it and even more so if you just start dumping alot of chemicals in it.
You might have to do water changes every day or every other day while your tank is cycling.
There is something called Zeolite you might want to check out.
It will absorb the ammonia and NOT give you a false reading.
You can add it right to your filter floss bag, in your filter.
Also, the liquid test kit is much more reliable than the ammonia test alert. Smiley
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Jackno7
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Re: Ammonia Alert vs. Master Test Kit
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2010, 12:56:19 AM »
I have only had my tank a week or so and it must be cycling still i dont know much about that, but i used both Prime (in a red bottle( and Stability (in a blue bottle) from Seachem and I am very happy with these products.

My tank has registered no Ammonia or Nitrate's for a week untill last time when I done a check and found a small trace of Ammonia, done a 30% water change added in the prime tested a bit later and all good. Smiley
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Hanna
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Re: Ammonia Alert vs. Master Test Kit
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2010, 03:13:35 AM »
Jackno7, your tank just started cycling. Prima and Stability are excellent
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April
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Re: Ammonia Alert vs. Master Test Kit
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2010, 09:14:12 PM »
Teetsy please do yourself a huge favor and forget about the Ammo Loc as Nossie suggested...I lost sleep over that one - it's NOT worth the worry not knowing if there is actually toxic ammonia present. Thanks for asking about Mr. Tailer - he loves his new 'crib' and is already asking if he can have a tank party...sheesh kids today Tongue That is great about you getting a bigger tank too. When do you plan on setting it up? I'm dealing with a few minor ammonia and nitrite spikes that I'm combating with water changes, added prime and stability. Goes to show you how ONE pudgy goldfish can quickly pollute a 27 gallon tank all on his own. Agreed Minde less is more chemical wise.
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