Don't make this mistake

mzw3ph

mzw3ph

AC Members
Mar 25, 2007
21
0
0
65
I just learned from a stupid mistake I have been making, and thought I would share it with the collective. My 75 gal saltwater aquarium has been up and running since February, however I have never been able to get the ammonia levels to zero. I kept doing water changes to no avail. I thought maybe things were still dying from my 46 lbs of live rock. I have been mixing fresh saltwater in a heated 10 gal tank, and then pumping it into my aquarium. I decided to test my new salt water and guess what . . . ammonia!!! I then realized that when pumping fresh saltwater into my aquarium, I would sometimes get some water siphoning back into the 10 gal tank, thus contaminating it. Maybe no one else has done this, however thought I would share this. I cleaned my 10 gal tank, the heater and pumps, and will be sure not to let it back siphon again. Fortunately my tomato clown, coral banded shrimp, cleaner shrimp, hermit crabs and astrea snails have all been hardy enough to survive.

Jeff
 
I don't think its the water siphoning back in, but that the tap water has ammonia in it. I know my tap water has ammonia and nitrate and thus I bought an RO/DI filter, tested the filtered water and 0 on both.
 
Water condition

I forgot to mention that I am using a 4 stage RO/DI filter from Kent Marine. It is the Maxxima Hi-S 35GPD unit, thus I don't believe I am getting ammonia from my water supply. The other thing I noticed when I was cleaning the tank was the slime on the inside of the tank and pump/hose. Also, I have a a different post that my silicamax membrane is turning red very quickly, which may be from my well water. I am considering changing to my water from my water softener.
 
Ammonia

You guys were right! The ammonia is coming from my water source, however I didn't realize it could pass thru the RO/DI filter??? I found on www.kentmarine.com the following:

Q: Why am I getting ammonia in my purified water?
A: Some city water systems are using a chemical called chloramine to kill bacteria. Chloramines are a compound of chlorine and ammonia. If the pH of your water is high, the carbon filter will break the chloramine into chlorine and ammonia and absorb the chlorine. The ammonia may pass through the membrane. If you produce ammonia, simply purchase a PostDI, which will convert your unit to a Maxxima. The PostDI will remove all ammonia.

However this doesn't compute for me because 1) I am on a well, so where would the chloramine come from, and 2) I do have a Maxxima, so how is the ammonia getting past the DI?

Any suggestions? Do I need to use a chemical such as ULTIMATE to treat the ammonia?

BTW, Germanman, what is "SLAT"? If this is referring to my test kit, I am using Marine Basic, and ammonia was confirmed by my LFS.

Thanks,
Jeff
 
Ammonia will pass through the RO membrane. The DI filter is what catches that. Sounds like your DI resin needs replacing. The DI resin catches postively and negatively charged ions by exchanging them. Once it is depleted charged ions will pass through again. Your well water probably contains higher levels than city water thus your resin might not last as long. Replacement should run you around 15 dollars.
 
Last edited:
Well water ammonia

I just replaced the di filter a week ago. Unfortunately the silicamax filter is $30 plus shipping. I did test my well water and the ammonia is off the chart above 6. I guess the di filter is taking out most (gets it down to 0.1), however can't get it to zero.
 
Ammonia Detox

Any recommendations on ammonia detox additives? After a little research I am considering either Kent Marines Ammonia Detox, or Reed Mariculture's ULTIMATE.

Also, what RODI unit do you use?

Thanks,
Jeff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom