Tap water contains 1ppm Ammonia

[Crepe]

I just out of curiosity did a read up of my tap's ammonia, it came out to 1ppm. Before I would always use my RO unit for water but since I don't keep SW anymore I took it out. I also just realized my Amm. in my main tank is .5ppm. At first I thought this was because of a stocking spike but since it hasn't gone down I'm starting to worry. Do I need to put my RO unit back in? (pita) Tank's been established for 6months. 3 months ago it was reading 0 amm, 0 nitrites, 14 nitrates. Heck a few weeks ago it was 0-0-10 now i've gone all the way up to .5-0-10. PWC's are making the amount even higher...

 

[mfdrookie516]

not sure if you've already ruled this out, but have you checked the date on the ammonia test and/or tested it against distilled water?

 

[Crepe]

Ammonia test was manufactured this year. Reads 0 on distilled. I think it's time to buy some more RO membranes...

 

[ChileRelleno]

What is your tap & tank pH/temp?
Do you know that ammonia toxicity is dependent on pH and temp?

You may find this interesting and helpful.
Ammonia Toxicity

 

[Crepe]

Yah, I know about it, which makes me doubly worried. 84F 7.8ph So I'm in trouble. I'm not sure if i'm using a salicylate test though.

EDIT: I am using a salicylate so it's not measuring bond NH3. Gonna have to go buy some Ammonia Chips then and then install my RO unit.

 

[ChileRelleno]

Yah, I know about it, which makes me doubly worried. 84F 7.8ph So I'm in trouble. I'm not sure if i'm using a salicylate test though.

Salicylate is the two reagent test kit, the Nessler is one reagent.
EDIT: Missed your edit.

Wait a minute... As I understand it, you want to using a Salicylate test, regardless as to whether or not using a NH3 detoxifier.

 

[Crepe]

Actually this is the first time I've done a test after a pwc. I always did them just prior. I think i'll give it a few days and see if my bacteria will process it. I mean, they should be used to being dosed by 1ppm water by now.

 

[ChileRelleno]

Yeah, but meanwhile your fish are probably quite uncomfortable.
Hmmmm... Even if the BB do take of business in a day, no more than two, I'd add Amquel Plus at PWCs.

 

[Crepe]

Just went to the local petsmart (Literally half a mile away) and picked up a bottle of Top Fin Ammonia remover. I can't use Amquel+, it removes nitrates which I need there to be a readable amount of in my tank for my plants. And I already don't have any readable nitrites so no point in killing the N-cycle in my tank.
Thanks for the help.

And an update: Ammonia has stabilized to .25-.5ppm in the tank...

 

[ChileRelleno]

Then your good as gold

 

[lake_tuna]

Just use Prime to treat your water. It takes care of ammonia.