Ammonia in my tap water

As a few of my recent posts indicate, yes I am very new at Saltwater.


For my saltwater tank, I did a partial water change, and after I did the change, I checked the ammonia in the tank, only to find out that it was about the same as before the change (around 0.5).



I then decided to check my tap water (I use tap water), and its Ammonia was worse than my saltwater tank. Oh wow! In my attempt to get down the ammonia, I am adding more ammonia!

A few years ago I bought ammonia detox for my freshwater tank, but never needed to use it (Kent brand). Do you think I should treat my tap water with this when I mix in the salt? Any ideas that would be possible with a low budget (grad school stipend)?

I also have a goldfish tank, I have been doing partial water changes frequently with de-cholorinized tap water. I do about 10% every two days. The conditions of the tank are great, but since my tap water is not so good, do you think I should lessen the number of partial water changes in that tank?

Thanks,

-Adam

 

yes you can probably use that or use prime. however for the long term success of your saltwater tank you need to buy a reverse osmosis/deionizer (ro/di) system. this will take out all harmful elements i your water(amonnia chlorine copper etc.)

 

If you are only keeping a 10 gallon tank. You can go anywhere and buy a few gallons of ro di water for very little money. The same stuff they sell at grocery stores for you to drink.

I would never use tap water in a salt water aquarium. You are only asking for trouble if you do.

 

Most lfs will sell ro water by the gallon and some will even mix salt in

 

I'm still buying my ro/di from a lfs just cause I dont have somewhere to setup a reservoir at the house to keep X amount of water on hand. usually around $0.50/g for ro/di and $1 for salt mixed in ro/di

I'd never use tap in my tanks, it's just asking for trouble and trouble politely answering back 99% of the time