false positive on ammonia. what do i do?

As I mentioned in my post, I haven't found that thread yet. On RC, doing a search with thousands of posts coming up takes a lot of time to go through. I can't spend all day looking unfortunately.
So far, I have a reply by Boomer that may help.
"Just a warning first, almost all fresh salt mixes will test about 0.1 to 0.3 mg/L. Reason, is they HAVE ammonia in them, which is a well established fact.

Second, you have ammonia, it is not a false reading, from both the salt and the Glacier Water, as Glacier Water is not RO/DI water but just RO water. So, there is no DI to remove any ammonia.

Lastly, such ammonia levels in an established tank are not an issue."
Post number 5 on this thread.
Ammonia Test kit? - Reef Central Online Community
When I find that thread I will post it. I just don't know how many years ago it was on but I think it was before Randy took his long hiatus from the Reef Chemistry forum.

 

Well, the search function only went back to 2006 so I won't find that particular thread.
I have found however, repeated references by Boomer and Randy about ammonia in salt mixes but basically the range is only about .15 to .25ppm.
If anything is higher than that, it is due to other things like clormine being broken down by carbon but not properly handled by the DI unit of the RO/DI filter assy.
Again, under normal circumstances it shouldn't present any problem.
It is still recommended to aerate new salt mix though, in many threads in those last three years.

 

so no matter what i do im adding ammonia to my tank? if so then why do i do water changes at all? this doesnt really make since to me. if we do water changes to get rid of ammonia and nitrates then why are we adding then back in?

 

and i get RO from the store since i have no RO maker. does this have ammonia in it? if so then how do i get all of it out?

 

If you aerate the new salt water or let it sit long enough, the ammonia goes away, bound up forming other compounds so you won't be adding ammonia.

 

Store bought will only have ammonia in it if chloramines haven't been removed, which is probably unlikely in store bought water.
It's easy enough for you to test if you aren't sure.
If ammonia does exist, then add ClorAm-X or another ammonia/chloramine binder before mixing with salt.

 

its says that it removes chlorine and other chemicals. should i let it sit for a few hours (three is the max tonight then i can do it for longer at my next water change ie make it friday then do it later on saturday)

 

What say that what removes chlorine and other chemicals?
If you mix up new salt water, at least aerate it if you are going to use it in that short of time.
If there is no ammonia showing in the water before you add the salt, you shouldn't have to add anything other than the salt and then aerate it. 3 hrs is better than nothing.

 

ok so if i mix it friday and let it sit in a five gallon jug with the top off then it would be good on sunday to put in my tank? if so then i will do a 5 gallon water change this weekend. im sorry if i sound aggrivated, im not i just thought that i was helping my tank a lot but since i didnt know about this it seems im just hurting it. thats all. thanks

 

Don't just let it sit, aerate it, especially if it's in a jug with a narrow neck.
To let sit and no aeration, it needs to have a good surface area exposed to air and let sit for days at least.