Ammonia in tap water

[NVHC651]

Ok so I tested my water the other day and had around 0.25ppm in the tank water. My ph is around 8, nitrites 0 and nitrates 20ppm.

I was curious as to why I was reading any ammonia at all since my tank has been set up about 2 years so I went ahead and tested my tap water. It came out between 0.50 - 1.0ppm. I guess my bio is doing some good work?

Also the tank smells, assuming because of the ammonia, but the water is crystal clear. It's a 60 gallon growout, 2 AC110's and 2 small Dovii. Water changes every other day. I'd like to bring my ph down a tad too, would some manzanita do the trick?

Is there anything I can do about this? I use prime and dose each bucket before I add it to the tank.

 

[strollo22]

You could try to add more bio media if possible to help break down the ammonia and just keep using the prime during water changes. As far as PH goes, adding a piece of driftwood would lower it a little.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[aldiaz33]

If your tap water tests positive for Ammonia, it means that your water is treated with Chloramines.

Here's a good read on the subject: http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/chlorine-chloramine

 

[NVHC651]

Wow lots of info in that article, good read for sure. Thanks guys

I added some carbon that I had and biomax to my second AC110 that I was running for only mechanical. I added the carbon more for the smell although in that article it says it helps neutralize the chloramines. Is using prime enough with the addition of extra bio? I've never run carbon and don't really want to start buying it.

 

[strollo22]

I would scrap the carbon and just add even more Bio in it's place. With more Bio, you won't have ammonia, therefore, you won't have the smell. Prime is perfect for your situation.

 

[surfpalmsncycads]

i dont run carbon either, only time ive used it was to recently to remove a possible pesticide. it did work like a charm and my water seems a tad clearer but theres no way id want that extra monthly cost of carbon. i just use prime and stress coat+

 

[AlexLbk]

I agree, prime will help, but it's a patch not a fix. You might want to consider going to RO water so you don't reintroduce ammonia with every water change (every other day water changes make it worse).
Using RO water will also allow you to solve your Ph problem even though The actual Ph number doesn't matter as long as it's stable IMHO.
I doubt carbon will improve ammonia situation noticeably, even use ROX carbon, which is not sold on most stores. I personally run most carbon and GFO in connected reactors, but it's for color and phosphate control respectively.

 

[Atfownz]

I do not know I'm reading my correctly but my tap comes out 20-22ppm. What can I do to reduce it for my tank. I run a Jebo 838 and going to test my water once I get back to my place. I hope it goes down after I get the water testing kits I'm going to get from petco.But anything I can do?