0.5ppm ammonia in city tap water

[TangoTank]

Ok... What to do if your city tap water has ammonia?? Looks like about 0.50 ppm

Boy, this is majorly disappointing!

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Use a product like prime that temporarily converts the ammonia to a less toxic form. By the time it has worn off you bacteria would have consumed it turning it to nitrite then nitrate. No big deal.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Just means your water company uses chloramine rather than chlorine.

 

[TangoTank]

Ok... So Prime is good for cycling AND good for my Betta fish that I already have in a separate tank? I have Aqua-safe Plus now, could I just up-dose that until I read no ammonia?? Or does it not remove the ammonia reading on the API Master Test Kit?

Thanks for your replies!!

 

[TangoTank]

And (pls also see my question above)... Is chloramine bad for the beneficial bacteria or b/c it reads like ammonia on tests, bacteria treats it as such?? Thanks!!

 

[blert]

Chloramine is chlorine bonded with ammonia. Prime will break this bond, neutralize the chlorine and bond with the ammonia making it less toxic for a while (about 24 hours). If you have a well established bio filter the ammonia will be converted before it becomes toxic again. The ammonia will still read with the API test.

 

[absolutangel04]

Just so you know, .5 ammo isn't toxic, but if your pH is high, then it does get into cautionary territory (though is still not a toxic level). Here is a guide to help show you some specific numbers for ammonia toxicity and when it something to be concerned about.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/your-guide-to-ammonia-toxicity-159994.html

 

[TangoTank]

Interesting! Thk u!! My pH is on the high side, 8.0