Testing for ammonia/chloramines

[Peekay]

I was concerned about my ammonia the other day when after a water change, it tested at .5ppm, so we've been testing regularly:  it's been within acceptable range.  Then my son told me that he likes filling up the sink to dump the used test in... because it turns dark green.  Ok, so maybe there's cleaner residue in the sink.  But then we tested straight from the tap, and ...  1.0ppm.

So I hit the net.  This is due to chloramines.  I've read a bit, and found that chloramine can confuse your ammonia test results, and that tests after dechloramination can show bound ammonium (not harmful) as well as ammonia (harmful) as a cumulative total. 

Also, that ammonia ionizes to ammonium only in acidic water.  Well, here in the 'haven, it comes out of the tap at 8.2.  So it probably isn't ionizing, and remaining as free ammonia.

So after water changes, I've RAISED the ammonia.  What the heck?  Would switching conditioners change this?  What do you all do to handle the chloramine?

[bt]

The ammonia you're reading in your tap water isn't free ammonia.  It's not even ammonia at all, technically.  It's part of the chloramine compound (NH2Cl).  Even if it were free vs ionized, a pH of 8.2 isn't horrible - tests have shown a balance of 10% free vs 90% ionized in room temperature water at a pH of 8.0.

Dechlorinators deal with the Cl, but leave the NH2 floating free - and it can quickly become NH3 (free ammonia).  If you're not using a conditioner that also binds ammonia, I'd suggest doing so.

You'll still have the same problem with free ammonia vs ionized ammonia (ammonium) or bound ammonia as far as most test kits go, though.  I know Seachem tests will measure only free ammonia.  They claim to be the only hobbyist kits that will, but I don't know if that's true.

[Peekay]

Recently ran out of Stress Coat, tried the Big Al's dechlor.  This is the problem. 
Fudge.

Never noticed before because the Stress Coat dealt with the ammonia, without me realizing.   I'm such a newb.   

[bt]

The ammonia should still show up in most tests with Stress Coat as well.

The Stress Coat will bind up the subsequent ammonia though, and keep it non toxic long enough for the nitrifying bacteria to turn it into nitrite.