Free Ammonia vs. Total Ammonia

[kp1917]

Hello All,

After reading a couple of posts about people cycling their tanks, I would like an explaination about free vs. total ammonia.

How to test (which test kits) for each?

What is the difference?

If free is down but total is up, do you still need to do water changes twice a day???

Thanks in advance, I'll post this on the newbee post also.

Kyle

 

[docklink]

I'm certainly no expert, but a quick search of the chemistry forum turned up these two threads that might help:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=135094&highlight=free+ammonia

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=261402&highlight=free+ammonia

HTH

And, yes, if I'm understanding the explainations, you should still do water changes.