Help Asap!!!!

[pre-2k]

going to my LFS today but this has NEVER happen b4 ???????? with tap water .................... i guess ill have to c what happen to day

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by pre-2k

going to my LFS today but this has NEVER happen b4 ???????? with tap water

If you've been using tapwater all this time, you have been adding about 1 ppm ammonia/ammonium in your new salt water. In the spring, with all kinds of extra stuff in the river's water, ammonia levels probably rise above 1 ppm when they increase the chloramine levels. Your lfs may not know this, but I hope they do.

BTW, what test kit are you using? Are you using a dechlorinator along with your salt in the tapwater?

I did a quick test of unsalted tapwater using an Aquarium Pharmaceutical ammonia test kit:

Tapwater without Prime - 1 ppm ammonia

Tapwater Treated with Prime - 0 pmm ammonia

The fact is that ammonia is present in Edmonton's tapwater. After treatment with a dechlorinator, Edmonton's tapwater will have the same amount of ammonium as there was of ammonia before using a dechlorinator.

[pre-2k]

ok i got my water test n the LFS told me that its a bit high but didt tell me how high but he told me my test kit its not the best 1 i can buy (saltwater master liquid test kit) told me to get a new 1 but 4 now i have to treat my 120g tank as a new tank .............. he told me i can take all the Corals
n fish out n let the 120T sit 4 1-2 weeks with out water change n add stability ..... so what do u reefers think ????????? plz help all the Corals n fish looks good

if ne 1 like to take a look at the tank just pm me ok

thnx 4 ne help
chris

[Beverly]

Which store told you this???!!??? Did you tell them you use tapwater?

BTW, do you treat your tapwater with a dechlorinator?

Also, how long have you had your tank running?

Sorry, but I am having some trouble reading your abbreviated words and don't understand some of what you write. Could you please write in standard English

[Myanth]

Edmonton city tap water is BAD. As Bev says, ammonia will be present as well as the chlorine. Letting your tapwater sit will let the chlorine dissipate but the ammonia will be present. Use Prime to make it non-toxic.

Good luck.

[Beverly]

Because chloramine is a chemically bound compound, the chlorine will not dissapate but remain bound to the ammonia if left to sit.

Years ago, when only chlorine was used in Edmonton's tapwater, if tapwater was left to sit, indeed the chlorine would dissapate and there would be no ammonia present.

Using a dechlorinator designed for use with chloramine, such as Prime and Amquel (and probably others), will neutralize the chlorine and convert the toxic ammonia to non-toxic ammonium.

[pre-2k]

good news , just tested my water and the ammonia is at zero, nitrate is at 10ppm, ph is at 8.2, and nitrite is at zero.

anyways I went to my LFS (not mentioning btw) and I spoke to someone there and this person said that something is wrong with my cycle and that I need to treat my 120gal like a brand new tank. Also this person said that I don't have a good test kit and should purchase a new one asap. Also that I should take out all my fish and corals and put them in a QT for about 1-2 weeks. Also don't do any water changes for 2 weeks. This person also told me that I should be adding bacteria and new tank stabilizing solution as directed and also to add Prime as well until my tank is stable.

So what's your opinion(s) and/or advice towards the advice given to me above?


Thanks to Mr. Alberta, Ruth, Beverly, and Myanth for your help and info!