Question: Extremely frustrated.

Hthecvt

Hthecvt

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I have a 20 gallon long with 2 (soon to be one) axolotls.

I got my API master test kit in the mail today, got home from work all excited to test my water - and my numbers are awful.

PH - 8.
Ammonia - 0.25ppm.
Nitrite - 0ppm.
Nitrate - 80-160ppm.

I tested my tap water - 40ppm! I've literally been adding toxic water right to my tank.

I'm also confused as to why ammonia is showing. The tank was definitely cycled before I added the axolotls. I had the water tested.

I have an HOT magnum 250 as my filter. Sand substrate. Hand feed to avoid waste.

Is there a way to remove nitrates from my tap water? Why is there ammonia showing?

I'm extremely frustrated and let down.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
 
I'm reading about De-nitrate by Seachem. My concern is that I'm still adding 40ppm tap water (treated) to my tank before the de-nitrate could remove it.

*H, CVT*
 
I have nitrAte in my tap water too. I've started to heavily plant my tank to try reduce the nitrAte. I also use Seachem Prime as my water conditioner/dechlorinator as it apparently (according to Seachems website) it has the added benefit of binding nitrAte so the biofilter can remove it, even though I've never heard of the biofilter ever feeding on nitrAte.. my theory is that Seachem Prime and plants together will hopefully reduce the nitrAte in my tank.

Have you tested your tap water from ammonia? There could be traces there. Or you miss read the readings on the colour chart and the ammonia is closer to 0ppm.

In the meantime, do larger water changes to try get nitrAte closer to 40ppm.
 
Yep, my tap water is 40ppm nitrate too. It doesn't seem to be a major problem in any of my tanks. I have silk plants in all my tanks, but have noticed that the fish tanks that have a few real plants (e.g. Amazon frogbit) have lower nitrate results, so I've decided to plant all of my tanks (10 in total at the moment) over the next few months.
As a general rule try to keep your nitrates to tap water + 20ppm or less. As Chris said, large water changes will bring your results down.
Please keep us posted on your progress. :happy:
 
There is ammonia in my tap water as well. But that should be removed by my cycle when I put it in the tank, shouldn't it?

The only way I could get my water to 40ppm nitrate is to do a full water change, because my tap water is already 40ppm. And then it just goes up from there. And from what I know, 40ppm is when you should do a water change. So it's like I can't win.

*H, CVT*
 
Tap water plus 20ppm would allow you 60ppm nitrate in total. Obviously keep the levels as low as possible, but you can't perform miracles. :happy:
As for ammonia in your tap water, that is a bit of a problem because you are adding it to your tank. Yes, the bacteria in your filter will deal with it, but it would be almost the equivalent of having an axolotl in your tank while it is cycling.
I think that Chris has previously mentioned Seachem prime water conditioner, possibly in another thread but check the manufacturers website. Apparently it binds the ammonia into a less toxic form, so I would switch to using that immediately if I were you. As I say, check the manufacturers information first, or perhaps Chris will post and let you know if this is correct.
:happy:
 
I already use Prime. And I dosed my tanks last night after I got my readings - 1/2 cap in the 20g - and retested an hour later and got the same readings. I'm so frustrated.

*H, CVT*
 
What level of ammonia are you getting in your tap water?
 
It is possible that it is slightly lower, as Chris mentioned in his previous post.
I also keep fish and belong to a fish forum, and we all (axolotl & fish keepers) tend to be a bit harsh when reading the ammonia colours on the API card. The colour difference between 0 and 0.25 is so close that the difference between natural daylight and different types of bulbs in electrical lighting can have an impact on the way we see the colour.
was your test done on tap water straight from the tap, or tap water treated with the prime dechlorinator? I think Chris may know more about this, as I don't use prime, but it converts the toxic ammonia to a less toxic form, but the API master test doesn't differentiate between the different forms of ammonia, so you could be reading the total ammonia, and it's only really the toxic one that is the major problem.
Sorry if I haven't explained that very well, but things might not be as bad as they seem.
 
I tested the tap water right from the sink tap. I thought about testing some treated water, but I had to get to bed. I'm going to try and get to the aquarium store tomorrow and ask questions/buy supplies. I really want my tanks to be as healthy as possible. I mean, I've had my betta tank for 1.5 years and Frootloop is still going, as well as my 2 snails and cory's. And I had a ghost shrimp live 9 months in there! But I still want this rectified.

Thank you for your help! When I get home from work tonight, I'm going to test some treated water and do some water changes.

*H, CVT*
 
It sounds like you are experienced with a range of aquatic species and I can understand that you want the best for all of your pets. I'm impressed that you've had your betta for 1.5 years, and I love the name. :happy:
I got a betta recently, a lavender plakat, but I just call him "handsome fella" and he seems cool with that.
Please keep us updated on your progress. :happy:
 
So I went to the aquarium store and talked to someone. He said that my water is too bad - I'll basically have to buy water. Plants, de-nitrate, nothing is going to help.
So he told me to either buy distilled/RO water and add in dissolved salts. So I bought 40 gallons of distilled water and some RO Fix. But this isn't something I can keep doing. I don't have a car.

Seriously, I'm in tears over this whole thing. I'm debating just not having tanks. I could buy an RO water device but they are expensive and I'll move eventually.

I don't know what to do. I want my tanks to be healthy. But it seems impossible.




*H, CVT*
 
I have and take my little RO with me from house to house.

What exactly did he say is wrong with the water? If the water is that bad in my opinion you shouldn't be drinking it. ..

Is it possible to get a second opinion?

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk
 
I've had a look at some information on water, and apparently if your water company uses chloramine (rather than chlorine) to treat water then it can read positive for ammonia. Leaving water to sit overnight does not do anything for chloramine and the water has to be treated prior to use in the tank, and make sure that your conditioner threats chloramines and not just chlorine.
It might be worth testing a water sample that has been treated with your water conditioner to see what you get.
There is some information on the forum FAQ regarding this problem.
Caudata Culture - Frequently Asked Questions
Best of luck with resolving your water problems, and I hope that your axolotls are doing well.
 
Are you sure your testing kit is accurate? I ask because I had a kit once that I thought was fine. I took a sample of my water in to be tested at the pet shop because I was having problems with my fish and the numbers I was getting at home weren't explaining anything. Their testing kit came back with VERY different results. I bought a new testing kit and tried it myself at home and sure enough... there was a problem with my testers.
 
Good point there Sarramy.
It might be worth taking a water sample to a LFS for testing.
 
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