Tap Water - High pH and Ammonia

[GulfShrimplet]

Mods please delete

Hi. I'm wondering whether I need to use bottled water for my new 9.5g shrimp tank. My tap water pH is 8.4 and the ammonia level is .50 out the faucet. It's also soft (lathers easily) but I don't have a test for that yet.

I'm considering blue pearl or snowball shrimp. Is the amount of ammonia in my tap water harmful? If so, is there a way to safely and permanently get rid of the ammonia? Will water changes introduce too much ammonia for the shrimp?

If it makes a difference, I may use ADA New Amazonia for my substrate unless I go with Eco-Complete instead. Will the ADA bounce around parameters too much with each water change?

Thanks.

 

[GulfShrimplet]

I might buy distilled water for PWCs and use a shrimp mineralizer (is that the correct word?) to provide minerals to the water.

Is that a viable option? What brands are recommended?

Thanks!

 

[GulfShrimplet]

Bump thread!