ammonia in my R/O water

[gronlaura]

did my first water change this past Monday - changed 30 percent. tested before and after the water change - both results less than .25 ppm, but not 0.

[johndimo]

I use the API master test to and mine always shows between 0-0.25 for ammonia. Always has no matter what water I test it with.

Don't beat yourself up over it. The problem is most likely with the API test kit.

I can't get the deep yellow color on the chart ever. I've tested my tap (I'm from chicago area as well), RO water and water from 2 established tanks. Getting the yellow that shows 0 is impossible. So I no longer worry about it.

Your testing method is busted and the water is just fine.

Also, just to add piece of mind. While doing a fishless cycle last year, at the end of the cycle I could dose enough ammonia to turn the test tube dark green and have it go yellow within 24 hours. But never to the yellow the card considers 0. That was the icing on the cake for me to figure out the testing method is broke.

[gronlaura]

Thanks. It might actually be possible my tank has been cycled for a week or so (that's how long I have been showing a steady .25 ppm ammonia, 0 nitrites, 10 nitrates). The RO water I have bought might also be fine, with no ammonia.

Tomorrow I am going to the LFS where I got my starter fish (started cycling with Tetra Safe Start on 1/02, with 7 neon dwarf rainbowfish and 4 scissortail rasboras - fish are doing great). I will take a sample of my tank water for them to test. Patrick at the store has degrees in biology and chemistry and will test the sample. This is not the LFS where I buy my RO water. I had made up my mind that I would not buy fish from the LFS where I buy the water.

[Cermet]

Consider getting some distilled water from a store and testing that - if you read 0.25 ppm ammonia, very likely the test kit is no good.

I use Seachem - it reads both ammonia and ammonium and also, has a standard that can be used to both confirm the kit and give you a color to reference to the color bar.

[gronlaura]

Consider getting some distilled water from a store and testing that - if you read 0.25 ppm ammonia, very likely the test kit is no good.

I use Seachem - it reads both ammonia and ammonium and also, has a standard that can be used to both confirm the kit and give you a color to reference to the color bar.

I have seen the Seachem "Ammonia Alert" disc test that you suction cup in the tank. It uses the same technology (discs) that the ammonia multi-test kit does. I saw it on sale at Petsmart yesterday. I would have to order the multi-test kit online. I think I will get the Ammonia Alert disc test and also try your suggestion with the distilled water.

I will report back with test results from my LFS, distilled water test and using the Seachem in-tank test.

[dbosman]

I am using R/O water for my 75 gallon FW tank. have not been able to get my ammonia below .25 ppm.

At .25 your specific ammonia reading may or may not matter depending on your test kit. Usually that .25 is bound ammonium compounds, not free ammonia. A Seachem Ammonia kit can tell the difference, but if your water out of the jug shows .25, I'd not worry.

[gronlaura]

On my way home tonight I am going to buy the Seachem Ammonia Alert in tank test and also use it to test the distilled water. Will advise later tonight.

If my tank is cycled, while at my LFS tomorrow, I will probably get either another scissortail rasbora to complete the school (5 total) or 2 neon dwarf rainbows to complete their school of 9 (his rainbows are small). Fingers are crossed!

Total stocking will be:

9 neon dwarf rainbowfish
5 scissortail rasboras
8 albino (golden) pristella tetras
8 peppered cories
1 BN cat

I would like 7 scissortails, but AqAdvisor says I would be at 102% with a BN cat, 97% without. Above list is at 93%, without BN cat 87%.

I figure it will take about 2 1/2 months to fully stock (2 fish every 2 weeks, total of 20 fish to add). Does that sound right?

[gronlaura]

picked up the seachem ammonia alert in tank test. it shows safe for live ammonia.

using the api master test kit the distilled water tested the exact same color as my tank water and the purchased RO water, a very very pale green but definitely not yellow. also picked up the Tetra ammonia test strips. they show ammonia of 0. I assume I should not use the API test for ammonia?

[alisiddiqi]

I like your choice of fish, but would recommend that you don't get the BN cat and get another less agressive species. I had one once and it killed almost all the fish in my tank by sucking off their slime layer and then their scales