High Lvl Of Ammonia In Tap Water

[jason8888]

Im currently doing a fish in cycle and am about 4 weeks into it and have finnaly discovered why I am having a hard time with my ammonia levels and water changes dont seem to help. My tap water is showing to be 1.0 to 1.5 . I have been adding prime since the beginning but the cycle hasnt finished and I am currently doing 2 40 percent changes daily. Is there anything I can do to get the levels down to 0 in the tank ? Im adding the recomended drops per gallon but the ammonia seems to be the same everytime I check it.

 

[the_lock_man]

If there is that level of ammonia in your tapwater, then there is absolutely nothing you can do to get the level down to 0 in your tank, other than wait for the bacteria to build up to do it for you.
 
However, since you are using Prime, the ammonia is being bound into a non-toxic form which the bacteria will still munch on - doing daily water changes mean that this temporary conversion of ammonia is not undone over time.
 
What you can do, though, is to contact your local water utility company and request their Periodic Water Report, which they are required to submit to the EPA, and is legally available for public inspection. You could also ask them why the USA allows such a high concentration of ammonia, when the UK has a guide level of 0.05ppm, and a legal maximum of 0.5ppm. Why are the Yanks not as stringent as the Limeys?

 

[ech0o]

There is no way you should be showing 1.5 ammonia from the tap, I would contact your officials immediately if you are getting those readings.  America is far more stringent on water regulations, and I believe 1.5ppm is quite harmful.  
 
I have heard that chloramine will show as ammonia on a lot of test kits, namely the strip tests.   I honestly don't understand how the 2 could be confused by a strip test, but I have read plenty about it...

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I would suspect faulty test kits, faulty testing methods or almost anything else besides ammonia in your tap at that level. It is most likely a violation of federal drinking water standards. With no information on size of tank, fish in it etc. test kit used, other readings etc. it is impossible to access what is going on.
 
There is a problem with changing lots of water during fish in cycling- it greatly extends the time involved. This is why it is so important to choose fish for cycling which have a high tolerance for ammonia and nitrite as opposed to those which are most susceptible. Then it is crucial to use only a small number of fish. Most folks tend to do neither and then the endless problems and time frame prevail. Often this means using fish one has no intention of keeping long term as part of their stocking plan..

 

[jason8888]

I would suspect faulty test kits, faulty testing methods or almost anything else besides ammonia in your tap at that level. It is most likely a violation of federal drinking water standards. With no information on size of tank, fish in it etc. test kit used, other readings etc. it is impossible to access what is going on.
 
There is a problem with changing lots of water during fish in cycling- it greatly extends the time involved. This is why it is so important to choose fish for cycling which have a high tolerance for ammonia and nitrite as opposed to those which are most susceptible. Then it is crucial to use only a small number of fish. Most folks tend to do neither and then the endless problems and time frame prevail. Often this means using fish one has no intention of keeping long term as part of their stocking plan..

 

I would suspect faulty test kits, faulty testing methods or almost anything else besides ammonia in your tap at that level. It is most likely a violation of federal drinking water standards. With no information on size of tank, fish in it etc. test kit used, other readings etc. it is impossible to access what is going on.
 
There is a problem with changing lots of water during fish in cycling- it greatly extends the time involved. This is why it is so important to choose fish for cycling which have a high tolerance for ammonia and nitrite as opposed to those which are most susceptible. Then it is crucial to use only a small number of fish. Most folks tend to do neither and then the endless problems and time frame prevail. Often this means using fish one has no intention of keeping long term as part of their stocking plan..

sorry my tank is a 10 gallon aquarium with a filter system that sits inside the tank. I have 2 bloodfin tetras. I am testing with a API Master test kit. I just bought it about 2 weeks ago.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I just reread your post- you say you are doing a fish in cycle and then you say you are adding drops/gallon. I am hoping you mean rime and not ammonia?
 
Prime can cause false ammonia readings. Have a read here http/www.seachem.com/support/FAQs/Prime.html

 

[jason8888]

I just reread your post- you say you are doing a fish in cycle and then you say you are adding drops/gallon. I am hoping you mean rime and not ammonia?
 
Prime can cause false ammonia readings. Have a read here http/www.seachem.com/support/FAQs/Prime.html

yes I add prime with all water changes not ammonia 8)