When making Salt post mix, adding salt increases Ammonia

[epineiro]

Hi Guys,

I'm trying to mix a 20L bucket of salt water. Please see the following findings:

ammonia levels in fresh water results
********************************
Before adding de-chlorinating agent ammonia level was 0ppm
After adding de-chlorinating agent ammonia level was 0ppm
After adding Ultimate Aqua Care Salt ammonia level was 0.25ppm
After adding the Salt the Specific Gravity was 1.024
Re-measured the same water after 3 hours, the ammonia level was 0.25ppm

Is the above result expected? should I expect an increase in ammonia after adding salt mix into the water? Does this mean I have some bad salt powder?

Your help is appreciated, because I need to start a daily 15% pwc to reduce some ammonia levels in my nano reef tank.

Thank you & Regards

 

[ccCapt]

I've never heard of that brand salt. It is possible it has some impurities (ammonia) in it.

 

[epineiro]

Thanks Larry,

So from what I gather the salt should not contain ammonia. I'll see if I can get another brand such as NeoMarine from BrightwellAquatics.

Cheers
Edson

 

[joy13]

Why are you using a declorinator? Are you using RO water?

 

[carey]

Yep, the salt mix should NOT be producing any ammonia. :-(

I would swap salt like you plan and go from there.

 

[David S]

I would also change the salt,I cant even find it on the net,who makes it?

 

[Michaelis88]

Instant ocean is the brand I'm using, not bad, and yes, salt don't contain any ammonia! But maybe other stuff in your bucket have them. When I first started tank, I got high ammonia during my cycle, and nothing was in my tank, only water...... No one could explain it.....