Tap Water 0.25Ppm Ammonia

[Tizer]

Whats the best way to be rid of ammonia in tap water? I use API Stress Coat at the moment when doing water changes but i've noticed my tank is starting to match the ammonia level of the tap water. The API Stress Coat is supposed to render (or remove) the ammonia non toxic but im not 100% on this.

Nitrate level has been quite high hence regular 10% water changes all last week. Its a 240L tank, so i've been doing 25L per night to lower the nitrate.

Ammonia previous to starting this has been 0

Prior to starting the regular water changes last week i also replaced 2 of the 4 sponges in my Fluval 405, they were rancid and covered in gunk (which i believed was adding to a high nitrate level), while the other two got a squeeze in tank water. I didnt however touch the media in the 3 baskets appart from a quick dunk in tank water, all of which have the white bacteria holding media.

Could it be the sponges being replaced have hampered my tanks ability to remove the ammonia from the tap water and i've just kicked off what could be a mini cycle?

Any tips welcome

 

[guppi]

I think its just a little set back throught the cleaning should be back to normal in a few days , just monitor for a while.

 

[weezawoo]

Personally I would be inclined to think you have started a mini cycle. When I change my filter sponges, say I have 1 in there, I would put a new one in there for maybe 2 weeks, then after 2 weeks take out the old one, then you aren't removing anything to beneficial. By taking 2 and putting ne in, all the bacteria has been taken away and not been replaced. I would just recommend keeping an eye on it!

 

[Gilli]

Agree with above posters - I also think you have started a mini cycle by replacing too much of your sponges in one go. All you can do is daily testing and regular water changes until you are back to normal.