Another Water Change and more WIERD Test Results...

[AquariumFreak]

Ok... I am puzzled with this one.

I did a 35 gal water change (10gal tap / 25gal RO).

Here are the test results:
pH 7.0
Ammonia .50
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Phos .18
dKH 7
dGH 9
CO2 21 ppm

So any ideas why I have more Ammonia after I do a water change?

Jeff

 

[Endgame319]

My test kit gets wierd ammonia readings from my dechlorinator (tap water has no ammonia, dechlorinated water has 0.5 ppm. If its actual ammonia then my bacteria eats it all up because after a few hours ammonia is 0 again. And 0 nitrates is a problem in planted tanks. Dose potassium nitrate.

*Edit* May I ask what dechlorinator you use?

 

[AquariumFreak]

Never thought it could be the dechlorinator (Amquil). I am still dosing my ferts but still not much of a change.

Tank is looking good though. No more BGA just some hair algae left.


Jeff

 

[malkore]

AmQuel binds ammonia and chloramine, and i believe forms ammonium, which isn't as toxic. However unless you have a salicylate ammonia test kit, it's going to read ammonium as ammonia and give you a false-positive reading.

 

[AquariumFreak]

Well this might explain it then... What should I be using instead of AmQuel?