Amonia reading of 4??

[sellout007]

My tank has been up and running for months now and just used a brand new test kit and I am getting the following readings.


Am - 4
Ni - 0
Na - 5-10
Ph - 7.8


We used the test kit earlier today and got normal readings from other tanks. So my question, is there something that can give off a false amonia reading like that? The only thing I have changed was I started dosing B-Ionics a few weeks ago. I think I dosed wrong and stopped last week. Last time I checked my water quality was a few weeks ago.

I have several fish and all seem to be doing fine. I figured amonia lvls at that lvl would be very very lethal.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Something must have died in there. Those are extremely toxic levels! Find out what's dead & then water changes, water changes, water changes!

 

[sellout007]

Nothing is dead. All fish are accounted for.

And the mere fact its at 4, and my fish are still alive makes me belive that the test is not accurate. Everything should be dead, especially all my corals, if that ammonia reading is correct.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Take a water sample to your LFS tomorrow to have them test. Did you test again? All your other tanks are at 0, which makes me think the test kit is working. B-Ionics shouldn't affect ammonia readings.

 

[sellout007]

I work at my LFS. O)

I tested three times with the new test kit I opened today and once with my old test kit. All times came up with a reading of 4. I tested some fresh tap water, and some water from a beta tank we have. Those read 0. Not sure if the saltwater ammonia works on fresh though.

I just mixed up some fresh saltwater in a cup to use as a control. Going to test it now.

And I agree, we used the test kit earlier in the day at the LFS and it worked fine. So which is why I am thinking that maybe somehow its getting a false reading from something in my tank. Maybe something is giving off the impression of an ammonia reading of 4. *shrug*

Like I said, I would think that if my water really was at a amm. lvl of 4 everything would be dead. Especially my corals.

 

[Pufferpunk]

You sure would think so! I'd do a WC just in case.

 

[sellout007]

Yeah, I am hopping to get to one tm. Unfortunately My tank is around 350g and for it to make a difference I need a LOT of water to change out. So it looks like I might have to use tap water.