How Best To Deal With Bad Tap Water?

[HoosierInFL]

I'm starting up my fish tank after a long layoff. I tested my tap water with a master test kit and it shows that I have the following:

.50 ammonia
.50 nitrites
10 nitrates

What is the best way to deal with tap water that already has ammonia and nitrites in it?

 

[xJake]

Did you use a dechlorinator on your tap water first as the chemicals in tap water will give you false readings with a test kit, especially so with a liquid one. Also, if your tap truly contains ammonia and nitrites then I would suggest using Seachem Prime as your dechlorinator when making water changes. It neutralizes ammonia and nitrite into a form that is harmless to your fish but the bacteria in your filter can still convert.