Ammonia Free Water

[kcharley]

Hi and thank you for a very informative, helpful and pleasant forum.

I had fish as a child and young man and am now helping my 10 year old with his first acquarium, a 20g long.

I am water testing using an API Freshwater Master Test Kit.

Over a recent 10 day period ph has been 7.6, ammonia started at .25 and appears to be dropping (there were no water changes during this period), nitrite has been 2 and may be rising slightly and nitrate is 5.

I understand the ammonia dropping and nitrite rising to be normal and that the nitrite should start to fall in the next few weeks.

I was about to change some water and tested the tap water, ph is 7.6+, ammonia is 1, nitrite is 0 and nitrate 5, maybe 10.

So I have been researching water filters for ammonia reduction but haven't found any commentary on what works.

Can anyone tell me how to get some ammonia free water so I can do a water change without stressing the fish.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give us.

PS. I understand the bacteria relation and am being careful not to wipeout the bacteria when cleaning the filter.

 

[Tolak]

Your best bet is to use a water conditioner that removes or neutralizes ammonia. It will convert it to ammonium, which is harmless to fish in levels found in an aquarium, but used the same as ammonia by your nitrifying bacteria. Ammonium will still be detected as ammonia by a single reagent nessler test, a two reagent salicylate test will discriminate between the two.

Sounds like you have a good handle on the nitrogen cycle & cycling, have fun!

 

[tenohfive]

I'll let Tolak answer but heres a bit of light reading for you:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=247729

Quick add on...if you've got fish in the tank, and have got nitrites at 2 a water change is in order - with fish in the tank ammonia and nitrites need to be kept at 0 really, and 0.25 max.

 

[kcharley]

Your best bet is to use a water conditioner that removes or neutralizes ammonia. It will convert it to ammonium, which is harmless to fish in levels found in an aquarium, but used the same as ammonia by your nitrifying bacteria. Ammonium will still be detected as ammonia by a single reagent nessler test, a two reagent salicylate test will discriminate between the two.

Sounds like you have a good handle on the nitrogen cycle & cycling, have fun!

Thank you Tolak. Sounds like I need to find a two reagent salicylate test so I can figure out if my tapwater really has ammonia. Hopefully,I'll get out of work today in time to shop.

 

[chesterscot]

to tff
regards scot

 

[kcharley]

I'll let Tolak answer but heres a bit of light reading for you:

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=247729"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=247729[/URL]

Quick add on...if you've got fish in the tank, and have got nitrites at 2 a water change is in order - with fish in the tank ammonia and nitrites need to be kept at 0 really, and 0.25 max.

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out after work today. I agree I need a water change. I just want to be sure that what goes in the tank isn't as bad or worse than what I take out. Thanks again.