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AS chemistry Help - testing for anions and cations

I have a homework to plan a practical for identifying ions.
There are numerous salts containing Na+, K+, Mg 2+ and Ba 2+. There is also one solution with an ammonium ion.
Is there any other way to test for the positive ions other than a flame test?
Also, Is it sensible for ammonium chloride to be on nichrome wire and in direct contact with a Bunsen flame or should I confirm the presence of the ammonium ion with NaOH and litmus paper first to avoid doing the flame test with ammonium.

Reply 1

Wai Kwok Chan

flame test: Na+, K+
Add OH- to Mg 2+, will form white ppt
Add SO4 2- to Ba 2+ , will form white ppt
Yes, confirm the presence of the ammonium ion with NaOH and litmus paper

Reply 2

Lydia.grace

Thank you so much for your response I did not know about the OH- and Mg 2+.
I was thinking of doing the flame tests first because they are a bit quicker than testing my six unknown solutions with different reagents but would you recommend carrying out the tests you have described first and then only use the flame test for the remaining solutions?