Nitrite In Tap Water!

[klairissa]

I am a newbie to the forum. i live in the Houston area and purchased a 55 gallon freshwater tank. Then I tested my tapwater and it is positive for nitrite and ammonia. I treated some tap water with a conditioner (Kent Fresh Start) and one hour later, the water was still positive for nitrite! Will I have to use RO water? I'd rather not, given the hassle, plus the need to add back minerals to the RO water. I'm concerned that even if I do get rid of the tap water ammonia and nitrite through cycling, I will stress the fish with each water change adding the bad tap water. Please help. Thanks

 

[tttnjfttt]

You should be fine once your bacterial filter gets going. However, you want to look for a dechlorinator that treats for ntrite and ammonia. I use Prime and like that one.

After your tank has cycled, you want to make sure you don't do too large of a water change because the difference the tank water and tap water.

 

[annka5]

Try getting the tap water tested again, eg at LFS, as it would be pretty unusual to find measurable ammonia/nitrite in tap water.
If your own tests are right, then personally, I reckon you should get onto your water company ASAP and complain - ammonia and nitrite to my mind make it unfit for human consumption.
If no joy, then i'd say you need to use RO.