Dumb ? : Ammonia test and malachite green

[Katy]

I've been testing water in the Q tanks (well, all the tanks) daily, at least, especially the new q-tank, because I don't quite trust the Bio-spira, although thus far it seems to be perfect, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites (keeping nitrates low with water changes) I started treating the tank with rid-ich, and then tested about 12 hours later for ammonia, and the color was ever-so-slightly green, not as green as the 0.25 ppm level, but not as perfectly yellow as it has been. I started to panic that it was a sign the tank was going bad, then quickly realized that I am adding green/blue dye to the tank! Duh!

So how can I be SURE there is no ammonia while treating?

[Diana]

Add a whole lot of fast growing plants, like Anacharis, Hornwort, Wisteria or similar. With good light plants can keep the aquarium free of ammonia even if the bacteria quit.
How long have you had the Bio Spira in the tank? The bacteria take off and grow pretty fast, with just a blip or two in the first week, and sometimes not even that.

Bio Spira... The only one that is still available is for salt water tanks.

What did you use?