Salifert Ammonia Test Question

j.falk · 09/06/2019, 09:23 AM

When I use the test and it reads 0 should the vial be completely clear?

mcgyvr · 09/06/2019, 10:42 AM

Isn't the expected result range/colors right on the card?
Quick google images search shows that its clear = <.25 ppm

j.falk · 09/06/2019, 10:49 AM

I have yet to see a completely clear vial after adding the NH3 solution...yet I don't see any yellow tint to the color so I'm not sure if that is a 0 reading or not? I would assume water that is 100% ammonia free would be completely clear in the vial...like looking at a vial filled only with plain water.

My question is, does the cloudiness always indicate that ammonia is present or is it just the combination of the saltwater + NH3 solution that creates a cloudy appearance regardless and the reading is still 0 ammonia?

j.falk · 09/06/2019, 10:59 AM

Disregard. I found the answer with a Google search. The vial will always be cloudy regardless...it is never 100% clear.

bnumair · 09/16/2019, 10:30 PM

There will always be some ammonia in any tank at any given time.
NH3 levels are not harmful till they reach 0.2 and up and at fatal at 0.5.
Most all kits in market are TAN (nh3+nh4)
Which means at pH 8.1-8.4 nh3 levels of 0.2 would show on TAN kits about 1.7 - 2ppm.
So I dont expect any hobby level test kit to show 100% clear 0 reading.

j.falk · 09/18/2019, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnumair

So I dont expect any hobby level test kit to show 100% clear 0 reading.

That's what I've always thought as well but wasn't 100% sure since I hadn't used Salifert test kits before. Thank you!

09/06/2019, 09:23 AM	#1
j.falk Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 632	Salifert Ammonia Test Question When I use the test and it reads 0 should the vial be completely clear?

09/06/2019, 10:42 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Isn't the expected result range/colors right on the card? Quick google images search shows that its clear = <.25 ppm __________________ Who me?

09/16/2019, 10:30 PM	#5
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	There will always be some ammonia in any tank at any given time. NH3 levels are not harmful till they reach 0.2 and up and at fatal at 0.5. Most all kits in market are TAN (nh3+nh4) Which means at pH 8.1-8.4 nh3 levels of 0.2 would show on TAN kits about 1.7 - 2ppm. So I dont expect any hobby level test kit to show 100% clear 0 reading. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

09/06/2019, 10:49 AM	#3
j.falk Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 632	I have yet to see a completely clear vial after adding the NH3 solution...yet I don't see any yellow tint to the color so I'm not sure if that is a 0 reading or not? I would assume water that is 100% ammonia free would be completely clear in the vial...like looking at a vial filled only with plain water. My question is, does the cloudiness always indicate that ammonia is present or is it just the combination of the saltwater + NH3 solution that creates a cloudy appearance regardless and the reading is still 0 ammonia?

09/06/2019, 10:59 AM	#4
j.falk Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 632	Disregard. I found the answer with a Google search. The vial will always be cloudy regardless...it is never 100% clear.