Ammonia In Water Supply

[timmystood]

I've recently moved into a new house (the house itself is actually quite old!) and I cannot seem to get the Ammonia levels much below 0.25ppm in each of my 3 tanks.
Confused, I tested the water from my hot water tank and i'm surprised to find that it's coming out at about 1ppm! I understand that my filters should still be able to bring this down but it means in part that performing water changes is like over-feeding the fish.
Has anyone else experienced this and what would be a possible solution? I don't fancy having the keep warming up water from the cold supply.

The test kit i'm using is pretty much brand new and I have crossed-checked this against a second test kit.

The cold water supply is coming out at 0.25ppm.

Thanks for any help
Tim

 

[Truck]

perfectly normal...a good dechlor will neutralize it

 

[timmystood]

I agree. However, the filters don't seem to be removing it very quickly so although the fish don't seem affected how will I be able to judge when the levels are too high/dangerous?

 

[Truck]

I agree. However, the filters don't seem to be removing it very quickly so although the fish don't seem affected how will I be able to judge when the levels are too high/dangerous?

the filters wont remove it efficiently, as the bacteria can only accomodate for the fish waste, a good dechlor will get rid of ammonia

 

[timmystood]

OK, thank you truckasauras!
I am currently using Interpet Fresh Start (I use the pond version as it's better value for money!!). I guess something like Prime would be better??

 

[Truck]

OK, thank you truckasauras!
I am currently using Interpet Fresh Start (I use the pond version as it's better value for money!!). I guess something like Prime would be better??

yeah prime would be better

 

[timmystood]

OK - thank you!
Guess I lose the value for money with that though! The pond version of Fresh Start is like a few drops for the whole tank!
Unless, is there a pond version of prime?

Thanks again.

 

[Truck]

prime is concentrated as well i believe

 

[timmystood]

Ok, cheers.
I've just looked and prime is avaliable for ponds but is quite expensive. Still, I suppose it all works out equally in the end anyway! It's just annoying because I can't get the discount at work on Seachem Prime, like I can with Interpet Fresh Start. Never mind! It's worth it's money!

 

[arobinson1984]

Agree with truck, prime will be better and will effectively break down ammonia to harmless ammonium which will still show up on most test kits.

Andy

 

[Truck]

Agree with truck, prime will be better and will effectively break down ammonia to harmless ammonium which will still show up on most test kits.

Andy

ammonium isnt harmless

 

[matchstickman47]

yeh its pretty toxic stuf

 

[iSnail]

Have you checked that there's nothing rotting in your water tank in the loft (if your hot water source comes from there that is)?

 

[timmystood]

Have you checked that there's nothing rotting in your water tank in the loft (if your hot water source comes from there that is)?

Yeah I had a quick look earlier today and there's nothing in there at all (except water obviously!).