ammonia in tap water **Tried prime, results ???***

[Meredith]

I decided to do a bigger than normal water change in my 55. I would say I emptied about 30 gallons and as I am refilling, I remember about the ammonia that is in the tap/well water. I just tested it ( the tank) and the ammonia is at .25. The rams seem to be fine, but I am sure this can not be good for them. Does this mean I can only ever do small water changes? If I use mostly RO water (I can not afford an RO system at the moment so that is out) I know this will alter my ph. What to do??

 

[Meredith]

Also when I contacted the water company about a year ago, they said there was nothing added to the water. It is well water that is collected in a reservoir and then distributed somehow to the homes in my neighborhood. I asked about the ammonia then and they said they have no idea why I am measuring ammonia coming from the tap.

 

[bosk1]

So they don't add chloramines either? They could cause the ammonia reading, but as I understand it, Prime will take care of that. You probably already know that, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[Zagz]

You could always put some water from the tap into a paid add prime and test it after 24 hours. That way you would know if the tap water had real ammonia or it was due to the chloramines. Just a thought.

 

[Meredith]

You could always put some water from the tap into a paid

At first I thougt WHAT? I can get paid to use Prime?
I'll try that

 

[Guest]

Yeah, Prime detoxifies the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate so that its still usable by your biological filter. ALso with that small a reading of ammonia your biological filter should consume it pretty quick.

 

[Zagz]

You could always put some water from the tap into a paid

At first I thougt WHAT? I can get paid to use Prime?
I'll try that

OMG ROFL, Christmas party tonight, can you tell I don't proof read when I've had a few?

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Prime does 2 things for you. First, it will remove chlorine and chloramine. Second, it will detoxify ammonia til the biofilter removes it. So you are covered. Large PWC's are ok.

 

[bosk1]

You could always put some water from the tap into a paid

At first I thougt WHAT? I can get paid to use Prime?
I'll try that

OMG ROFL, Christmas party tonight, can you tell I don't proof read when I've had a few?

I just thought it was some weird Canadian slang that I didn't get.

 

[Jchillin]

You could always put some water from the tap into a paid

At first I thougt WHAT? I can get paid to use Prime?
I'll try that

I see this as an attempt to hide the truth. A freudian slip if you will. Apparently Zagz does recieve a stipend from Seachem to use their product. You can share this bounty...we won't tell anyone else.

 

[Zagz]

 

[Meredith]

Ok, so I tested the ammonia right from the tap and its between 1.0 and 2.0 ppm. To the same water I tested (from a cup) I added a drop of prime. Tested, and my results were .25ppm. So the prime did not neutralize the ammonia completely but lowered it a bunch. What does this mean? The bottle says to treat for the whole tank when using a python. Does this mean I can now safely do larger water changes or is that .25 still too much? (AND that tiny little bottle treats 1000 gallons!!?? Thats GREAT!)

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Yes, you can do large water changes. When you add the prime, do for the whole tank. You will be ok.

 

[Guest]

when you add prime your water may still test positive for ammonia because it is still there. But it makes it in a nontoxic form that is still useable by the biological filter.

 

[Zagz]

That's great that it reduces it by a bunch. You can do larger water changes with sine sense of security now. But still can't get paid for it LOL.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

But still can't get paid for it LOL.

Are you sure? LOL, kidding... Had to.... lol

 

[Zagz]

No problem, been LMAO over that one for days!