Red sea test results & judgement

I tested my tank to today, my SG is 1022 - 1023 (closer to 1023), nitrite and nitrate were 0, although nitrite is tricky it could be interpreted 0 or .05 IMO. Alkalinity read in the normal range of 1.7 to 2.8.

Ammonia read .25, (my tank is only a couple months old but I have never got a 0) you are supposed to note your PH and water temperature.

Mine were 79 F and PH was 8.0, the directions have a temp and ph scale to find the ammonia level; mine was 5.8% of 1 mg per liter

Next you multiply 1 x 5.8 then divide by 100, this is the level of toxicity, in my case it is .058 PPM

I read people's results on these forums and they always say 0 for their test results. I have also read that ammonia will always be present, which makes sense to me. Are people that say "not detected" or zero for their ammonia reading, just saying that because their reading is not of any level to worry about?

I am not worried about my results at all, the fish are not stressed at all and everything seems to be going well. Just curious as I am brand new to the sport... Is it possible to have 0 ammonia? Does it just depend on the test?

 

Here 'zero' isn't absolute, just consider it when the concentration becomes unmeasurable within the set parameters of the chromatography (qualitative measurement dictated by colors rather than a quantitative examination offering you 'true' numbers).

 

Also, it should be noted that I too bought the RedSea kit but quickly invested in the API also. Not saying one is better or inferior to the other, just for my personal peace of mind to ensure my results are falling within expectations with the other, both being blind to each other.

I have found no deficiencies as of yet. I do prefer the API due to the standardization of protocols between tests, and the use of a glass test tube rather than plastic though it seems to be made of polystyrene which is fine...

 

I switch from red sea kits a long time ago do to inacurate readings. You might want to bring a sample of water to the LFS to see if hour kits are acurate.

 

I use the API ammonia test kit. It uses a color chart.

According to the color chart, my ammonia reading is 0. I'm not calling .02 zero or anything, I'm calling a color zero.

If my ammonia had any reading whatsoever other than 0, I would be concerned.

 

easy to say if you are in America, I live in Japan and have to wait a month or more for these pet stores to send me a test kit with English instructions...and Red Sea seems to be widely available here but it is a toss up if the instructions are in English...Also, I need to know where to post my complaint that most online pet stores, equipment suppliers etc. only ship 2nd class to APO boxes...