Ammonia test

[Doug A]

Today I started doing a fishless cycle for my tank. My Ammonia test kit does free ammonia and Total ammonia. Which test should I use? The total ammonia is higher then the free ammonia.

[Ardan]

Hi,
Use the free ammoni reading, as the total ammonia reading includes nontoxic ammonia. The fish are affected by the free ammonia. This is also the ammonia the bacteria break down readily.

hth
Ardan