Ammonia And Tap Water!

[ShoC]

Hiya forum!

Been scratching my head for some time over this small problemo I have.

after some of my fish fell ill and died (I think now shop purchased ones caused it I didnt quarantine *oops*)
I did a few tests on my tank and found ammonia, Well a month on I think I have tested again and have ammonia, I think around 0.25 but after standing for longer went to 0ppm

But here is my confusion

ammonia 0ppm (I think)
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 0ppm (can is be caused to be 0ppm due to having many plants?)

Now I tested my water and it's got 0.50ppm


what the hell do I think or do? with regards to wethere or no I'm cycled

 

[LondonguyJ]

Just a couple of questions for you...

Did you cycle your aquarium and also, do you leave the water to stand before adding it to the aquarium?

 

[Mikaila31]

Ammonia in tap is not uncommon. I would just stick to more frequent smaller water changes and use Prime to treat the tank at each water change. A cycled and fully stocked tank should deal with 0.5ppm of ammonia within a few hours at the most.

 

[ShoC]

Had my tank running for years now.


but did a treatment and water check and found ammonia... I'll admit first for a long time..
did my last water change about 1 week ago but I'd have expected to see some sort of Nitrates....
But My ammonia in tank is for sure 0ppm I did a second check.

so I can only assume my plants are clearing nitrates...

 

[wrighty.uk.gorl]

I wad the same problem you are saying. This week infact and after reading about i did the ammonia test on deionized water and it still give me a .25 now thats impossible so try it your self on deionized water and see if you get a ammonia reading if you do it could well be the test.

As i did get a + reading on it so took a water sample to LFS and they tested it and it come back as 0.

I am new to this my self though so take what i say with a pinch off salt just trying to help

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with Mikaila on what to do if its a variation coming in from your water authority. If not, then extra gravel-clean-water-changes, a good filter clean and perhaps a filter hose clean can sometimes turn up something unusual.

Its a good reminder of the habit of a periodic battery of tests on your tank water to put into your aquarium notebook. Its hard to put a time frame on what would be a good habit for people with tanks that are thought to be in good running condition, perhaps once a month or once every two weeks? People who have had a well balanced tank running for years can find it hard to make themselves run a test set.. its not hard to understand.

~~waterdrop~~