Why is aqueous ammonia used to precipitate an aluminium solution rather than sodium hydroxide?

Question

Why is aqueous ammonia used to precipitate an aluminium solution rather than sodium hydroxide?

Answer 1

ammonia is weakly basic than sodium hydroxide.

Answer 2

I have not practiced chemistry for quite awhile, it may be because ammonia hydroxide can act as a base and a weak acid. This may help the solution to come close to neutral as possible. If i am wrong could someone explain, I need to brush up a bit on my chem and a correction would not be seen as offensive.