GMOORE91

I have been having issues with high ammonia levels in my tank. After trying everything known to mortal man I finally decided to have my tap water tested and the ammonia level from the tap is about 2 PPM so that explained the issues I am having in my tank. the question I have is there anything that I can do in order to reduce the levels of ammonia out of my tap? Is there some type of filter or something that I can add? I know someone is going to say that I shouldnt be using tap water in my tank but I really dont have very much of a choice at this time. Thanks for your help.

Lucy

Hi Welcome to Fish Lore
Geez, that's a pretty high reading. What test kit are you using?
I can't recommend a filter but I think I'd proabably call the water company. That can't be good for you.

GMOORE91

Ive taken water samples to 2 fish stores and they both get the same readings. Yeah Im gonna give them a call on tuesday.

Lucy

I did a search on the forum and found this thread. Perhaps something in it can help you.
Ammonia in Tap Water
In the mean time, if you use Prime as your water conditioner, it'll detox the ammonia for 24hrs.
Also, once you tank cycles, it should be able to process the ammonia in 12-24 hrs.
The members have a wide range of knowledge. Maybe someone will be able to help you further.

Good luck

GMOORE91

Ive already been through a bottle of Prime and Ammo Lok, niether helped

Lucy

With those products, you'll still get a reading, they don't get rid of the ammonia just detoxifies it.
Do you have nitrite or nitrate readings?

sirdarksol

I don't think anyone's going to tell you not to use tap water in your freshwater aquarium. Most of us do, because it's too big of a hassle to re-mineralize RO or distilled water for freshwater use.

I agree that once your tank cycles, you shouldn't really have much of an issue with ammonia (though you'll always have slightly higher nitrates).
I would, however, talk to the water company.

Nate McFin

It seems to me it would be better to do smaller water changes once the tank is cycled as to avoid a large dose of ammonia all at once.
To the OP - what is your pH it sems with 2 ppm it must be pretty high!
DISREGARD PH QUESTION: I see its 7.2 on your info!
Disclaimer:I have no experience with ammonia in tap. Just a question for those who do.

GMOORE91

Ph is 7.2 everything else is 0 across the board with the exception of the ammonia.

grump

Hi I have been told that you can take your tap water and let it set out in an open container for a couple of days and the ammonia with disapate put you need to air rait the water with an air stone... This also helps with clorine then befor you add to the tank use a good conditioner... I hope this helps Rob

Butterfly

sorry the ammonia won't dissipate over time, chlorine with aereation will however out gas from the water. The problem being most water companies use chloramines also which will not leave the water unless some thing (like prime) is put in to break the chlorine/chloramine bond.
Prime will not get rid of the ammonia but will detoxify it for a short time. You will still get ammonia readings.
Carol

cerianthus

If tank is cycled, ammonia brought in by pwc should be going thru nifrification process after water changes. I dont know if you know the equilibrium b/n Ammonia (NH3) and Ammnium ion (NH4+) which is pH dependent. As long as pH is where it is , but not higher, I would not worry since most of Ammoni in tap water, if any, would be in non-toxic NH4+ form.
Dont know the type of fish, that is if any fish yet, but if pH go slightly lower than 7 byitself, it is even better since lower the pH, more NH4+. DO not tempt to lower pH. According Graph demonstrating the relationship b/n NH3 and NH4+, pH @ 7.2 show minimal amt of toxic NH3 which can be taken cared by beneficial bacteria. . If fish are exposed to toxic NH3, should have experienced some sort of problem.

Another method of removing NH3 is to strip NH3 from water. If really concerned and dont want use too much of products which will detox/remove NH3 from water, look into Ammonia Tower which we used to use to strip NH3 from water.. May be you can DIY Ammo Tower to collect NH3 free water to do pwc. IMO, unnecessary.

GMOORE91

Would a water purifier on my tap help out any? Or would that just be a waste of money?

sirdarksol

It depends on the purifier. Some of them wouldn't take ammonia out. Each one should tell you what percentage of the different types of contaminants it actually removes.

cerianthus

If memory serves, API tap Water Purifier (Now called Tap Water filter) claims it will remove NH3. Contact API to confirm. If using well/hard water, may be expensive to run since have to replace the cartridges often.

sirdarksol

Yep, it does say that it removes nitrogen from the water. The biggest downside is the cost of the cartridges. It would likely take three cartridges just for me to be able to fill my largest tank.

agabr123

i have 1ppm ammonia in my tap, once your tank is cycled it shouldn't be an issue, i haven't had any problems so far. however, i don't drink that water! i live in a dorm in a fairly large city and who knows what kind of stuff they put in there