Ammonia levels

[JohnRogan]

I have a doctor friend that is able to determine the Ammonia levels of various aquariums just by looking at them. Apparently he is able to detect the minor changes in color due to Ammonia levels. Does anyone else have this ability? Does anyone know how to teach this process so we can save money on test kits?

He is also able to do it to some degree with pH levels, although he is not 100% accurate like he is with the Ammonia.

 

[aliendomain]

If a tank has high levels of ammonia the tank is usually some what cloudy. This is caused by excess bacterium in the water. Low pH can also cause a haze. But by no means should you think that the water quality of a tank can be measured accurately by looking at it. Although some symptoms of bad water quality are visible not all problems can be seen. Nitrite and Nitrate for instance rarely causes any cloudiness or discoloration and most ammonia and ph levels are deadly before they cause any visual signs.

Now judging levels by smell that's a different story. :wink:

 

[bradsark]

I have a doctor friend that is able to determine the Ammonia levels of various aquariums just by looking at them. Apparently he is able to detect the minor changes in color due to Ammonia levels. Does anyone else have this ability? Does anyone know how to teach this process so we can save money on test kits?

He is also able to do it to some degree with pH levels, although he is not 100% accurate like he is with the Ammonia.

You are crazy