API ammonia test doest work, or is it me???

[erc2995]

a while back i purchased a API brand ammonia test kit (liquid)
and every time i test my 20g tank which is not over stocked and running a aquaclear 30 filter i get the same color on the test.
if anyone is familar with this test u drop in 8 drops from 2 different bottles into 5 ml of water.
well i get this real faint light green which on the reading card would be .025 ppm but like i said its not a good color the yellow (0 ppm) almost seems darker then this green
so no matter what i do as far as water changes in my tank its the same
so i tested my tap water right from the tap and i get the same color green
i even tried some water from my parents house which is 5 miles away and has a well. i get the same green color
SO.... my question is is the test kit no good or am i doing something wrong i do everything the directions say word for word....... any ideas???

 

[aakaakaak]

From what I've seen with my tests even perfect water gives off a very faint green hue to the yellow. If you want to "for real" test it you could mix some regular ammonia in a container of tap water and see if the readings go nuts.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Try some distilled water as a standard. One other thought, is it possible that the equipment (Spoons, droppers, tubes, ......) used to collect the water is contaminated?

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

There is a code on the box, if you call API (800) 847-0659 they can tell you if the test is out of date.