Just Tested My Tap Water For Ammonia...

[lisa2701]

I am in the process of a fishless cycle (almost there) As the title says I've just tested my tap waterfor ammonia.....0.25ppm!!! Surely that means every time I do a water change I am adding ammonia into my tank!! What can I do?

 

[faildeadly]

But the bacteria in the filter will clear 0.25ppm pretty quickly.

 

[lisa2701]

Ok so it should be fine then once the filter is properly cycled?

 

[ladymaverick]

Hi Lisa,

I'm at the same stage as yourself and have been reading around this area.

A couple of links I came across indicated that tap water which contains chloramines will give a faintly positive result on the NH3 test. Try treating some which dechloraintor then re-testing. If there is truly NH3 present, it will still register after this. If not, assume it is chloramines.

L_M.x

 

[lisa2701]

Hi Lisa,

I'm at the same stage as yourself and have been reading around this area.

A couple of links I came across indicated that tap water which contains chloramines will give a faintly positive result on the NH3 test. Try treating some which dechloraintor then re-testing. If there is truly NH3 present, it will still register after this. If not, assume it is chloramines.

L_M.x

Thanks, I did wonder if dechlorinator would effect the results or not. The test was done *after* dechlorinating the water, so its not chlormines.

My filter had been processing 3ppm in about 12 hours, but its now been 18 hours since i last dosed and its stuck at 0.5-1ppm . Nitrates are on the rise though so shouldn't be long.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Also using a dechlorinator that neutralises ammonia, like Seachem Prime, will help. This is a very common problem for people

 

[ladymaverick]

Thanks, I did wonder if dechlorinator would effect the results or not. The test was done *after* dechlorinating the water, so its not chlormines.

My filter had been processing 3ppm in about 12 hours, but its now been 18 hours since i last dosed and its stuck at 0.5-1ppm . Nitrates are on the rise though so shouldn't be long.

Fingers crossed you're nearly there. What are you thinking of stocking once you can?

 

[lisa2701]

Also using a dechlorinator that neutralises ammonia, like Seachem Prime, will help. This is a very common problem for people

Its tapsafe that i've been using Interpret Bio-active Tap safe, will this help?

i was looking at Interpret Ammonia remover, does this help or hinder?

 

[lisa2701]

Thanks, I did wonder if dechlorinator would effect the results or not. The test was done *after* dechlorinating the water, so its not chlormines.

My filter had been processing 3ppm in about 12 hours, but its now been 18 hours since i last dosed and its stuck at 0.5-1ppm . Nitrates are on the rise though so shouldn't be long.

Fingers crossed you're nearly there. What are you thinking of stocking once you can?

the filter was supposed to be fully cycled when I got it (it came from a used tank and was only out the water a few hours). Nevermind, still a massive jump forward in comparison to a new filter so can't complain.

How are you getting on with yours?

I honestly don't know right now. I only have a 10g tank so I am limited. Probably just be guppy and *possibly* some endlers. I really wanted some ottos but I am told my tank is too small... I am gutted

What about you? Whats your plans for stocking?

 

[ladymaverick]

the filter was supposed to be fully cycled when I got it (it came from a used tank and was only out the water a few hours). Nevermind, still a massive jump forward in comparison to a new filter so can't complain.

How are you getting on with yours?

I honestly don't know right now. I only have a 10g tank so I am limited. Probably just be guppy and *possibly* some endlers. I really wanted some ottos but I am told my tank is too small... I am gutted

What about you? Whats your plans for stocking?

I think it's coming along. Only been running a week but I may have given it a kick-start with my filter swapping. We'll see how it goes. Last time I had fish, it was very much fish-in so this is all new to me even though I'm fairly experienced in fishkeeping itself.

I'm looking at making the most of my soft acidic water and going for a South American them - pencilfish, tetras, corys and a pair of dwarf cichlids. Also thinking about some harlequins - although not from SA they are my favourite fish.

I really like endlers. I think they're very naturally pretty looking. Have you though about some dwarf corys for the bottom, depending on your other numbers?

 

[lisa2701]

I think it's coming along. Only been running a week but I may have given it a kick-start with my filter swapping. We'll see how it goes. Last time I had fish, it was very much fish-in so this is all new to me even though I'm fairly experienced in fishkeeping itself.

I'm looking at making the most of my soft acidic water and going for a South American them - pencilfish, tetras, corys and a pair of dwarf cichlids. Also thinking about some harlequins - although not from SA they are my favourite fish.

I really like endlers. I think they're very naturally pretty looking. Have you though about some dwarf corys for the bottom, depending on your other numbers?

Filter swapping sounds like a good plan to give you a heads start. Sounds like a good choice of fish. I'm not going to lie, I don't know many of them, I am completely new but I'd be eager to see pictures once your up and running.

Yeah I like Endlers too. They are the reason I decided to set up. I have always liked fish so always had a peak at them at the LFS but once I seen Endlers I decided I had to have some...ironically doesn't look like I can find them anywhere locally now.

I have looked at dwarf cory's just this morning, but again they need to be kept in a shoal of 6, so I don't think I'd get away with 5-6 dwarf cory's, 5-6 Endlers and a few guppies, it'd be too much for my tank. So my stocking plan is still a work in progress. i would really like my endlers and guppies and a small bottom dweller of some sorts but just don't have a big enough tank I don't think. Something has to go and I can decide what..

 

[daz4321]

Post removed in protest of forum operation.

 

[lisa2701]

Thanks, I did wonder if dechlorinator would effect the results or not. The test was done *after* dechlorinating the water, so its not chlormines.

just for every ones info:
Chloramines are derivatives of ammonia by substitution of one, two or three hydrogen atoms with chlorine atoms

basically when we dechlorinate water that contains chloramine it breaks down into ammonia and chlorine, chlorine is then dealt with by the dechlorinator and ammonia is the result 'Prime' furthers this by altering the ammonia into a less harmfull form.

And this is why I dropped out of chemistry when I was at school . That went straight over my head I'm afraid. I can wrap my head around psychology at degree level but give me chemistry and you may as well be speaking to a brick wall . I am sure others will understand though so thanks

 

[Salam]

And this is why I dropped out of chemistry when I was at school . That went straight over my head I'm afraid. I can wrap my head around psychology at degree level but give me chemistry and you may as well be speaking to a brick wall . I am sure others will understand though so thanks

+ 1 (not the psychology bit but the rest)

 

[ladymaverick]

Thanks, I did wonder if dechlorinator would effect the results or not. The test was done *after* dechlorinating the water, so its not chlormines.

just for every ones info:
Chloramines are derivatives of ammonia by substitution of one, two or three hydrogen atoms with chlorine atoms

basically when we dechlorinate water that contains chloramine it breaks down into ammonia and chlorine, chlorine is then dealt with by the dechlorinator. Ammonia is the result and 'Prime' furthers this by altering the ammonia into a less harmfull form.

Thanks Daz!