Ammonia in fresh Salt Water?!?!

RENEGADE

RENEGADE

the one and only RENEGADE
Mar 19, 2003
403
0
0
Los Angeles CA
Visit site
I've just setup a system so I can mix my own salt water. I only have a 10g so not much was required. (5 gl bucket and some plumbing) I thought just for the heck of it I would test the water: pH 8.1, Nitrites 0 ppm, Nitrates 0 ppm, But ammonia 1 ppm
So i tested the RO water I'm using, and that came out 0 ppm for ammonia. Tested it again and got the same. So I retested the saltwater and again got 1 pmm

Whats going on here?!

Its a new pump, new bucket, new tubing, now that I think about it, the only thing that my not be "sterile" is the pvc .

But would that be added ammonia to the water?

And how do I deal with it\Do about it?
 
That's not an uncommon occurance and it's not a problem.
Just aerate the tank overnight or put a good sized power head in it and everything will be fine.
Just to be sure, check again just in case you are using a plastic bucket that may be leaching.
 
Well I put a rio 800 in there and its been mixing for a week now so I don't think the ammonia is just going to go away.

If the bucket is leaching what can I do?
 
Go to the HD they should have brand new buckets for 5 or 6 bux a peice.
 
Us in the UK use Baby bottle sterilizing tablets, it is a tried and tested method...If you people over there have never heard of these, they are tablets that you use to sterilize your baby's bottles with..Fill the container full of tap water, pop in a couple of tablets, leave for a few days, wash out with RO and thats it, good to go...

Niko
 
jojo22, it is a new bucket from home depot.

atnixon, I've never heard of those. I wonder whats in them?
 
First, confirm the problem isn't due to test kit error by having a sample tested by a different kit, usually at your LFS.
If confirmed, buy a new container that is made by a different company.
 
Renegade...Milton is UK based company who make loads of different cleaning products..they are very effective..Not 100% sure what is exactly in them...But, on the forums here, lots of people have done water tests on a new rubbermaid when brought and again after 2 days with sterilizing tablets, and made a dramatic effect..The beauty of them is they are recomended for use on food grade containers...Lets face it, if you can clean a new born baby's bottles and dummy's with them, they are safe for the tank...

Niko
 
atnixon, I did some research and found out that 1) it seems that we in the US don't have bottle sterilizing tablets and 2) the active ingredient in them is Sodium hypochlorite. (aka chlorine bleach) Of course household bleach is more concentrated. What that tells me is that if bleach fixes this problem, then its organic matter thats causing it, which just means I need to clean my bucket and pluming and it will go away.

Thanks everyone for helping me nail this down! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom