Ammonia discussions

Seems like us newbies battle to get our arms wrapped around this thing called NH4 / NH3.

To kick of, I am first going to show my Sera Test color chart and the conversion table with it. From this table, I deduce that NH4 is what the test measure, but we are actually interested in the NH3 value. That however depends on your pH reading. So just by looking at your NH4 reading, is actually meaningless, if you do not know your exact pH and doing the conversion. More about that later.

 

First, I want to discuss the different sources of water. The only water that I have tested so far, that gives me a solid yellow reading like on the chart, is Distilled water. All the others, even rain water, gives a greenish color, albeit not at the 0.5mg/l level. So, whatever I do, my water changes introduce ammonia to my tank.

My established tank (filter wise), gives me a lower reading than my tap water. So, doing a WC, actually increase my NH3, and decrease the nitrates (NO3).

So, my first question, how on earth could ammonia be present in rain water? It is not the test kit, as distilled water gives a zero reading.

 

@Spawn

Hi, I hear your remark that your ammonia is in line. However, your NH4 reading is at 0.6mg/l, right? Your pH is at 7.4? If we look at the chart, your NH3 could easily be in the light grey range, which is harmfull over the longer term. It might even be deadly, if your pH is actually more like 8pH, which could easily be and the 0.6mg/l could also be slightly higher.

 

I have exactly the same test kit

I too get a low NH4 reading on my established tanks, but my question is that are we not supposed to get a reading of 0?
I've use this test kit on three different well established tanks and got the same reading. Took the pH reading as well also using a Sera test kit and matched the pH and NH4 on the table as Tom.K mentioned. It still showed the presence of NH4. I do not use this test kit anymore as im not sure that the results are 100% accurate.

 

The only solution I can think of, with my tap water in mind, is to keep my pH as close to 7pH as possible and be sure the reading is accurate. That way I (my fish) will be safe even if NH4 spike to 2mg/l. I do not stock any of the African fish, which require a higher pH. Not sure about my elephant nose though...

Any comments?

 

Have you tested other water sources, like your tap, rain or distilled water?
I do not think we will ever get a reading of zero.

 

What is this reading. My experience is that it could be out by 0.3pH.

 

I see you are blessed with CT water. Would be interesting to hear if the tap water there also contain NH4.

 

Nope never tried it. Its just interesting that there's somebody else out there using the same test kit that is getting the same readings. I was confused a few months ago as I could not understand that I couldnt get a reading of Zero with this test kit.

 

http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/A-Treatise-On-Beverages/Tests-For-Ammonia-In-Water.html

Interesting read.

 

The reading I used to get was a Light green, not green enough to register 0.5mg/L
The pH reading were most of the time 7 or slightly below, never above 7. So if you used the table and matched the pH with the NH4 reading it was always low or said to be non-toxic.

However, everwhere on this forum it says that NH4 must be 0. Any NH4 presence is harmful for your fish. Which makes sense and makes me doubt the readings of this test kit.

 

This then confirm my reading on rainwater of less than 0.5mg/l or ppm. The test kit therefore again, as with distilled water, proof accurate.

 

Yes but if you catch the rain water from a roof you also might get extra ammonia from pigeon,rats ect

 

You are right.
Good news is that I overstated tap water. Did some testing now again and here is the results.

Start of all tests look like this:


Then, after 5min.

Tap Water


RO Water:


Rain Water:

 

Well, my feeling is that the kit is accurate enough. It is possible to get a nil reading. I hopefully have learned my lesson now and will stay away from rain water, as you put more ammonia in than what you are taking out.

I went to the Oasis operation the other day and checked out their equipment. They are actually producing and selling RO water. TDS around 10. They claim they never go over 20, but average 10. Selling at R22.80 for 25lt. So, till I can get my own RO filter, I will mix Oase water and tap water.

I will also read up on the forum what to add to RO water to get it to the levels that is required for my fish.

Or is there a way to get the ammonia out of the rain water? haha, just joking!

 

I will check the readings tonight and do a water change. Also will test the water that goes INTO the tank. If the NH4/3 reading are high as you suggest how do I bring it down to add to my existing water?
It is a valid point that our tap water might be adding to ammonia spikes in our tanks after a water change. Problem here is that I did the tests AFTER I did a water change, but an hour BEFORE I added the new fish. I also added a monthly top up of the biological culture before the fish was added as a countermeasure to an increase in ammonia I also tested 24 hours after (Sunday) my fish started to die, and everything is the same except for ammonia that was slightly higher.

 

Spawn, I do not think your problem is ammonia. At worst it could aggrevate your problem. I think the real reason is as Prof stated.

 

I do not think your tap levels will be high. Especially not in CT. Someone would have picked it up by now. But check nevertheless. If it is high, you have no option but the RO route.

 

Hi TomK,

I have had the same problem with this test kit, i have never been able to get a 0 reading for ammonia and always a 0.003 reading. I live in the cape and have tested the water and found the reading to be the same as my tank with ammonia 0.003 so maybe it isnt precise I do have a new test kit and when I got some free time will test the tap water and compare the two and give results. Maybe you should take a sample of your water to your lps and have a water test done and see the results. It will put your mind at rest.

Kind regards
Jane

 

@Jane,
My mind is already at rest. I tested Distilled and RO water. See picture above of RO water. Reading is Zero Ammonia (NH4) in both. So I trust my kit now.