Geez.

I have the Doc Wellfish Master Test Kit. Someone explain this to me...

This morning the cycling(?) 150 measured under .25 ammonia. So I did a 25% water change. Afterward it tested .25 again.

Out of curiosity, I tested the old 55g discus tank which got a water change yesterday - zero.

For fun, I tested some dechlorinated, buffered, unsued water leftover from my water change. It tested .5!

So then I tested water straight out of the tap and got about .5 again.

What the Frick???

I know darn well there's not ammonia coming out of the tap.

I would not be to sure about what you have said about your tap water as it can contain some suprises, which is why i would advise every one tests their tap water, just so as they know what they are using in the tanks. It could also because you have not cleaned the test tube out propley, also how soon did you test the water before you tested it again ? The reason i ask is if you did it straight away you have not given the water time to mix

I also get an ammonia reading out of the tap. Also, keep in mind with the seasons changing to colder weather, the water company changes their forumula for treating water.

I usually wait at least 12 hours to test my water after a water change.

I have been finding random stuff in my tap water too but it is usually Phosphates randomly being 0 or .25 or 1 sometimes.

I did just pick up a Hanna pHep4 meter and it is awesome. Definitely worth it if manipulating water conditions like I'm doing right now.

All interesting replies.

How about this though...

After thinking it through, I decided to do another full range of tests after thoroughly washing the tubes. I also decided that instead of dipping the tubes (and my hands) into a specimine container full of water to fill them - that I would pour the water in the tube. This way I could eliminate anything weird from my hands or from the outside of the tube touching the water.

So when I tested that way - all zeros again. Interesting.

I found the perfect thing for you. I was worried about dipping the tube in the tank so I went to Walgreens to get a syringe. They have a bunch of different sizes, you have to go to the pharmacy counter and ask for them but they are free. The API test kits all use 5 ml of water and they have that size there.

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It is perfect, pull plunger out and you have the exact amount of water you need. They gave me 3 when I asked, so one is for water for test kits only, one for measuring Excel dosage, and one I'm using for my acid drops.

What a great idea.

Thanks much!

If you don't mind - could you post that in the DIY area? I know it's not a "project" per se, but it's a great answer to a practical aquarist problem.

Must admit i use exactly the same method when testing, the good old syringe as i find it is the best and most acurate way to fill the test tubes, and also i know i am just testing the water i want to test
You will also find that some test kits come with their own syringe as standard