Question, problem with my pond.
It should not be anything to do with the poly tank itself.
Ammonia test kits are notoriously wrong - because we are trying to test teeny tiny amounts that the tests do not respond accurately to. Test strips are generally horrible - the AP ammonia kit is usually good. The expiration dating is: last four digits are the month and year of manufacture. pH = minimum of 5 years, nitrite = at least 4 yrs, salt = unlimited, all others = at least 3 years.
There are also “false positive readings” that you get with other chemicals in the water besides ammonia. Just for grins, take a sample of your tap water, test it, then add the correct amount of the same bottle of Stress Coat that you have been using to it and test it again after it has sat for awhile.
My hunch is that it is a false test result.
If you add a typical ammonia “remover” type chemical, you should still get the same reading - most “anti-ammonia” chemicals merely convert the toxic NH3 to non-toxic NH4 - BUT the Nessler and salicylate type tests read the total of both. (AP = two bottles = salicylate)
If you use AMQUEL PLUS = NOTE THE “PLUS” - it will remove the ammonia, if any, and give you a correct test result. This is not AMQUEL. This is a very different chemical with, unfortunately a similar name. You need AMQUEL PLUS. It comes in aquarium and pond strengths.
If you get a positive test, treat with AMQUEL PLUS, and then get the same results = it is probably a bad test result. AMQUEL PLUS HAS to work - it is not a bacterial or enzyme type, it is a chemical reaction that has to happen.
Good luck,
:-)
Bill
Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
