From the City of Ann Arbor website:
An Important Note for Fish Owners
Using untreated city drinking water in fish tanks, ponds and aquariums is harmful to fish and any organism with gills. Ammonia is present in the City’s drinking water at approximately 0.25 parts per million (mg/L). This ammonia is bound with chlorine in the water to form the water supply’s disinfectant, chloramine. While ammonia at these levels has no adverse impact on humans or other mammals, it is harmful to fish or any organism with gills. Therefore, the ammonia must be deactivated before using city water in a pond or aquarium containing fish. It is important to note that simply removing the chlorine from the water will not remove the ammonia. Instead, fish owners may add certain chemicals to the water to deactivate the ammonia. Products containing these chemicals can be purchased at local pet supply and aquarium shops. The City recommends fish owners consult with a pond or aquarium professional to select the appropriate product.
Big fat duh on my part! I should have known this since my Dad worked in municipal water quality for 40 plus years. He was teaching me to use my API master kit, and we did test the pH of the tap water, but not ammonia! I guess that isn't a bifg deall in drinking water.
At any rate I did add some Kordon AmQuel plus today since I still dont see my ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels falling. I will check it again before my water change this friday.
An Important Note for Fish Owners
Using untreated city drinking water in fish tanks, ponds and aquariums is harmful to fish and any organism with gills. Ammonia is present in the City’s drinking water at approximately 0.25 parts per million (mg/L). This ammonia is bound with chlorine in the water to form the water supply’s disinfectant, chloramine. While ammonia at these levels has no adverse impact on humans or other mammals, it is harmful to fish or any organism with gills. Therefore, the ammonia must be deactivated before using city water in a pond or aquarium containing fish. It is important to note that simply removing the chlorine from the water will not remove the ammonia. Instead, fish owners may add certain chemicals to the water to deactivate the ammonia. Products containing these chemicals can be purchased at local pet supply and aquarium shops. The City recommends fish owners consult with a pond or aquarium professional to select the appropriate product.
Big fat duh on my part! I should have known this since my Dad worked in municipal water quality for 40 plus years. He was teaching me to use my API master kit, and we did test the pH of the tap water, but not ammonia! I guess that isn't a bifg deall in drinking water.
At any rate I did add some Kordon AmQuel plus today since I still dont see my ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels falling. I will check it again before my water change this friday.
