how do i check the ammonia levels in my 10 gallon?

Question

ive got test strips that test the following: nitrites, nitrates,ph, hardness, alkalinity.. is it the nitrites and nitrates? thanks.

Answer 1

You will need a special test kit for that. I would suggest you get the type that uses bottles of liquid to test the water instead of test strips. The bottled type is far more accurate. That's true for what you currently have as well so you might think about changing when you run out of test strips.

MM

Answer 2

Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are three separate things that are all part of the nitrogen cycle that makes for good water quality. Ammonia should read 0 ppm. Nitrites should read 0 ppm and nitrates should read 40 ppm or less. Ph, hardness and alkalinity all depend on the type of fish you have. You need to have a test strips that specifically test for ammonia. Ammonia is different than nitrites or nitrates. You don't list ammonia test strips as one of the test strips you have. Thus, you need to go buy strips that specifically test for ammonia.

Answer 3

No. You need a test which measures the amount of ammonia (PPM) in your tank. They have test strips which more or less say "safe range" with a general idea of the Ammonia readings, but they also have test kits which will tell you almost exactly the ppm you have.

Read the directions on your particular test kit. Since there are so many on the market your's could be reading nitrate levels instead of Ammonia with the thought if the nitrates are good so is the ammonia. This is not true.

Answer 4

I think it's nitrates. I had to go and but a test strip only for testing ammonia and the treatment from Wal Mart. The strips run about $10 and treatment was under $5