0.25ppm ammonia is essentially zero. Its perfectly safe, no need for a water change. It should be zero though.
Are you sure its 0.25ppm? Test some of the spring water straight from the bottle and compare it to the test from the tank. The spring water will be zero, so if they look the same your tank water is also zero.
Did you check whether your substrate is causing your ammonia level as per Colins post #28 on this previous thread?
https://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/i-had-2-betta-fish-die-381512-2.html
My water is now 0.50.....I tested water from the jug. And ammonia is 0.Why do I get two diff readings?
I have to do water substrate test.
My water is now 0.50 ammonia. Do I need to do a water change?
My water is now 0.50 ammonia. Do I need to do a water change? I have to do water substrate test. I will test the bottle see if there are water change. Tanks for your help. Well do, see what I get by testing the water in the bottle.
I thought the bettas died and the tank was started over.Aiken, this is one of her Betta tanks so there is the one Betta in it. It's a cycled tank.
It doesn't make sense that she's getting such an ammonia reading from just the fish and feeding ( according to her reported feeding schedule) so I think you and Colin have hit it on the head that it's coming from something else in the tank. Having her use Spring Water was to eliminate the residual ammonia coming from her tap water dosed with dechlorinators which was causing the higher nitrates. The residual ammonia cycled out from the last fish that was in there ( according to Pettygil) so whatever is producing the ammonia now is more than her biological bed can immediately cycle out.
That's the best wrap up based on info provided by the OP.
I thought the bettas died and the tank was started over.
my money is on the substrate releasing ammonia
I tested the gravel in a cup with spring water and the ammonia was high. Looks like its my gravel. I will have to use play sand, is that a good idea?
Okay, so now you know. ( That's actually the best news. ) For some reason, there are more cases of gravels shedding ammonia so you really need to be careful on the brands of gravel you use. Look at where the company brand is located. If it's outside the US, I'd be very hesitant on using it. You also need to check to see if the gravel is designed for planted tank as the ammonia could be for the live plants to consume.
As for using sand, yes, it's inert so should not leech anything but again, make sure you read the label to ensure that nothing has been added to it.
The sand is good. I bought from same place. In my 40 gallon tank, has the same sand. I do not have any issues with my 40 gallon. I did not wash the sand though, which I should have done, but all fish are doing fine. The people at the local fish store helped me with the sand cause it was too heavy to lift. It came in a huge plastic bag. Must weigh about 50 lbs. I will not use all of it though. I keep some around incase I need it. Thanks for your help. I will empty the tank on Tues when my pa comes over, she can help me lift the bag.
I can not lift on my own.
The sand is good. I bought from same place. In my 40 gallon tank, has the same sand. I do not have any issues with my 40 gallon. I did not wash the sand though, which I should have done, but all fish are doing fine. The people at the local fish store helped me with the sand cause it was too heavy to lift. It came in a huge plastic bag. Must weigh about 50 lbs. I will not use all of it though. I keep some around incase I need it. Thanks for your help. I will empty the tank on Tues when my pa comes over, she can help me lift the bag.
I can not lift on my own.
I just added sand to my tank. The water is very cloudy. It is clearing up. I will do another ammonia test. Let me see what the test comes back as.
Ammonia is:0 to 0.25
Nitrate is: 5.0 ppm