Satchmo Posted June 22, 2002 Share Posted June 22, 2002 Anyone use these kits? Mine has separate tests for free ammonia and total ammonia. I don't think other kits make this distinction. Which one is the commonly used ammonia indicator? Link to comment
Catspa Posted June 22, 2002 Share Posted June 22, 2002 I believe that its: Total ammonia = free ammonia + ammonium Free Ammonia (NM3) is unionised ammonia, and its what you really have to worry about, its the most toxic. On the other hand, Ammonium (NH4+) or ionised ammonia, is relatively safe, ie reletively non-toxic. Also when looking the ratio of NM3 to NH4+ its the temperature and ph that tend to dictate the ratio. With High temps, and high ph its the NM3 that will be greater. Some test kits test for free amonia, but i believe most test for total amonia, wich is ok for us mariners because the total amonia is mostly made up by the free amonia because of our high temps and ph. But i'd be most concerned with testing for the free amonia, if you have the kit. I think Seachem puts all these tests in to try to justify the price they make you pay for the kit, and also the number of total test the kit can do on the outside of the box. So again, unless anyone corrects me, i'd be most concerned about the free amonia. Hope this helps ps please correct me if i'm wrong -thx Link to comment
Satchmo Posted June 22, 2002 Author Share Posted June 22, 2002 I've been doing both test, since I can run them both simultaniously, so it's not a big deal. I was just curious as to what the distinction was. Thanks for the info Link to comment
jay2k2 Posted June 22, 2002 Share Posted June 22, 2002 i have the seachem test kit i use the total ammonia Link to comment
Temecula Reefer Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 has anyone had the total ammonia disk come out a purple color? My free ammonia is at zero, don't know what the total ammonia would be??? Link to comment
Satchmo Posted January 13, 2003 Author Share Posted January 13, 2003 Wow, pulled this thread from the duldrums. I've since stopped using the free ammonia test, and have yet to find out exactly what the hell it is. Seachem's "total ammonia" seems to be what most others call simply "ammonia". Purple would be way off the charts, no? How old is your kit? Link to comment
MrGuyPerson Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 Not that this really has to do with very much, but isn't ammonia NH3, rather than NM3? I can't think of any element "M" off the top of my head. Link to comment
Temecula Reefer Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 I would think it is way off the chart, I am 11 days into the cycle so it may be normal.... I just bought the kit from my LFS, don't know how long he had it.... I felt this thread died an early death;) , had to bring it back Link to comment
Satchmo Posted January 13, 2003 Author Share Posted January 13, 2003 How's the nitrite test? If they're on the rise, you're kit is probably working. You should see the ammonia test get lighter and lighter. You could take a water sample to your LFS for testing. They should be able to verify those results for you. Link to comment
BCOrchidGuy Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 I love the SeaChem test kits, I wish every test kit maker would use the same reference chart system as they do, I have alot of trouble distigiuishing between subtle colour differences and the Sea Chem system works well for me. My understanding is you don't see ammonium in a pH over 7 so we as marine hobbiests wont see it at all. Ammonia becomes more toxic as the pH rises but up to a pH of 8.8 the Nitrite is still more toxic to fish etc... This is my understanding. Link to comment
Satchmo Posted January 13, 2003 Author Share Posted January 13, 2003 BCO- That's the same reason I use them. I'm a bit colorblind, and I'm lost on those charts with the little colored squares. The sliding, gradient color chart on Seachem's kit is a hellova lot easier. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.