Maintenance Question: Chemistry and Ammonia

[Martin]

Good morning all!

I was wondering if, when testing chemistries, do you need to monitor for ammonia specifically?  I just know that most testing strips go for nitrites and nitrates only.  I understand that nitrate tends to be the end product when you have a heavily planted tank, but I just wasn't sure if NH4+ needs to be on my radar.  I ask because my little 10 gallon is PACKED with plants and animal life.  I can't keep count of everything due to there being so many hiding places and, I'm always wondering if there is a dead fish or shrimp somewhere.  There's nothing going on that makes me suspect that, but just a ponderance.  Thanks in advance!

[lefty o]

ill ruffle some feathers here, but other than start up of a new tank, imo ammonia testing is way over rated.  in an established tank with a good colony of bacteria you should never see much if any ammonia. add in plants , and filtration of any kind, and unless you way over feed, or have a mass die off, its really not a concern.

[Guppysnail]

On 8/25/2021 at 11:06 AM, lefty o said:

ill ruffle some feathers here, but other than start up of a new tank, imo ammonia testing is way over rated.  in an established tank with a good colony of bacteria you should never see much if any ammonia. add in plants , and filtration of any kind, and unless you way over feed, or have a mass die off, its really not a concern.

I Agee I’ve never had issues after establishing I watch nitrates unless I have issues which I never seem to

[Patrick_G]

I think it depends on the tank. With a heavily planted and well seasoned tank you’ll have less chance of an Ammonia spike. In a Cichlid or Goldfish tank with few or no plants I’d probably test for ammonia. The Aquarium Coop strips make it easy. 

[Intuos]

Would agree with the above opinions for the most part, but think it's always a good idea to have a way to test for ammonia just in case. 

[Patrick_G]

On 8/25/2021 at 10:07 AM, Intuos said:

Would agree with the above opinions for the most part, but think it's always a good idea to have a way to test for ammonia just in case. 

Wise words! 

[CT_]

I'm too lazy to test for ammonia.  They do sell a little indicator that you can put in your tank for a month and it changes color if you have ammonia.  I'd probably buy that if I had a 300$ fish, but for 5$ nano fish, I'm just too lazy unless I see something seem wrong.

[Nakattack]

Does anyone know why companies don't add ammonia test to the strips that test for everything else?

[lefty o]

On 8/25/2021 at 6:29 PM, Nakattack said:

Does anyone know why companies don't add ammonia test to the strips that test for everything else?

probably so they can sell you another separate item.

[Guppysnail]

On 8/25/2021 at 9:15 PM, lefty o said:

probably so they can sell you another separate item.

@Nakattack Time for dip and read it different on coop strips maybe that has something to do with it 🤷‍♀️

Edited August 26, 2021 by Guppysnail