Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => General Fishkeeping advice => Topic started by: fcmf on December 10, 2019, 09:36:51 AM
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An incident this morning served as a useful reminder of the level of ammonia in (my) tapwater. The behaviour of my elderly fish prompted me to do a mid-week water quality check. Just to be certain, I also measured tap water levels. My reaction when I saw this (see attached photo - sorry, won't attach) was
:yikes: .
Thankfully, a repeat test confirmed that the tank water was the safe level, whereas it was the tap water that was at the 0.2-0.4 level.
Years ago, advice used to be that water could stand for 24+ hours to gas off the chlorine, an alternative to using water conditioner. However, a couple of years ago, I decided to test out this theory, and the level in the tap water didn't drop much or at all even after sitting for several days. I know from the water supplier that my water has chloramine in it, as do most nowadays. Thankfully, my water conditioner addresses this ammonia level immediately.
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Yes, chloramine doesn't gas off. That's why those who have it in their tap water have no option but to use a dechlorinator.
I just wish one manufacturer would make something that doesn't seen to be on the market at the moment.
Water conditioners either just remove chlorine and metals, or they remove chlorine and metals, detoxify ammonia and contain a 'slime coat promoter'. No-one makes a water conditioner that detoxifies ammonia but does not contain a 'slime coat promoter' - or at least I haven't found one yet.
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Might it be because whatever detoxifies ammonia is abrasive (or at least has some negative effect on fish) and therefore the slime coat promoter is remedial for that (prevents adverse effects)?
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The detoxification of the ammonia is simply the conversion of ammonia (NH3) to ammonium (NH4+). The Aloe Vera included to ‘protect/promote the slime coat’ is just an unnecessary gimmick. This was added to most dechlorinators long before they started detoxifying ammonia. :)
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The detoxification of the ammonia is simply the conversion of ammonia (NH3) to ammonium (NH4-).
Hi @Hampalong
I think this may tally with the pH that @fcmf is currently seeing from her tap water. In another thread, @fcmf said that her water pH is "almost 8, according to the water company!" BTW, you have a typo above. NH4- should be NH4+. I'm not trying to be pedantic as I always appreciate it when others point out my mistakes.
JPC
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A lot of water companies add something to the water supply with acidic water to prevent corrosion of the pipes. I know that in a certain part of Canada they add soda ash. Where they do, the pH of tap water should drop on standing 24 hours. @fcmf - does your tap water do this?
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Investigation underway... will report back.
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...you have a typo above. NH4- should be NH4+. I'm not trying to be pedantic as I always appreciate it when others point out my mistakes.
JPC
You’re not wrong jaypeecee, and I’ve corrected it. :)
I think pedantry is vital on a forum to correct errors, so as not to mislead or confuse, etc.
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And to be even more pedantic, I would write it as NH4+ ;)
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And to be even more pedantic, I would write it as NH4+ ;)
Just because you can.... :)
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And to be even more pedantic, I would write it as NH4+ ;)
Hi @Sue
I would have also used the superscript but I am unsure as to how to do it here on ThinkFish. Perhaps you'd explain how it's done?
JPC
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I think pedantry is vital on a forum to correct errors, so as not to mislead or confuse, etc.
Hi @Hampalong
You echo my thoughts entirely! ;)
JPC
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I would have also used the superscript but I am unsure as to how to do it here on ThinkFish. Perhaps you'd explain how it's done?
JPC
I use a Windows laptop, and I realise that other devices may not show the same.
In the reply page, above the smileys are two rows of buttons, including bold, italics, quote, table etc. On the bottom row of these are two little squares, one with sup in and one with sub in.
Type NH4+, highlight the 4 and click the sub(script) box. Then highlight the + and click the sup(erscript) box.
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Investigation underway... will report back.
Oddly, the tap water PH remained the same after 24 hrs. ???
Unlike last time, its ammonia gassed off. ??? NB. I ought to have said that this is JBL's NH4+ tester.