Question: Dechlorinator adding to high ammonia levels??

[AxieNewbie]

hi all, im having a bit of trouble with my water parameters at the moment. I have done a water change this a.m and just tested it, nitrite and nitrates are pretty much 0ppm, however the ammonia is at 4.0ppm!! Tested my normal plain tap water and zero ammonia as expected, then tested new tap water with dechlorinator added and the levls of ammonia rose to about 0.25-0.5ppm.

Is it possible that the dechlorinator is actually adding to my high tank ammonia levels and should i buy a more expensive make of it or what else could be adding please as im rather stuck and worried that its affecting my axolotls!!

 

[Mortimer]

Dechlorinator breaks down chloramines into ammonium ions and non-ionized ammonia. Do you let the water stand for 24-48 hours prior to putting it in your tank?

Also, what type of dechlorinator are you using?

 

[Mortimer]

I'm guessing your tank isn't cycled (because of no nitrates)?

 

[AxieNewbie]

Its veen set up for weeks but i dont use the filter very often as yet as the axies dont like it. But the tank itself has been set up for several weeks and had the filter on non stop before the axies went in so i dont know :/

The dechlorinator is um, an interpet tapsafe stuff...?

 

[michael]

For the tank to balance you need to run the filter all of the time. If you shut if off for any extended time the beneficial bacteria dies. When you start it back up you blow out ammonia and poison the tank. If the axies don't like the filter try something else.

 

[snuggly time]

What type of filter is it? Have you tried a sponge filter? They don't create much of a flow. You have to make sure you clean the tank more often but it's better than high ammonia and nitrites.