Question about Ammonia Testing

[Data]

Hi! I have several years of experience in the freshwater hobby and am looking to start basic reefing. Right now, I am looking to find the best way to purify tap water for reefing. For years, I have used a tap water conditioner called API Tap Water Conditioner (the super strength version), in my African Cichlid tank and it has worked great. I am curious if I can just use that for reefing but I have learned more about the difficulties with chloramines in the last several days. I tested my tap water using the API Freshwater Master Test Kit and discovered about 0.5 (give or take) ppm of ammonia which I am certain is from the chloramines. As a result, I treated some fresh tap water with the conditioner and tested that to see if the ammonia would be removed (being that the conditioner is supposed to detoxify chloramines). However, the exact same level of ammonia came back positive. My question is, does the tap water conditioner really detoxify the chloramines or does it not work at all? I thought that perhaps if the ammonia was just detoxified and perhaps not removed it still maybe would show even though it technically isn't toxic after being treated. Again, I have been using this for freshwater for years without any problems but I want to be extra careful with reef inhabitants. Thanks for any help!

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Hi! Highly recommend you purchase an RO DI unit. It will pay for itself in the long run. Check out Bulk Reef Supply, AirWaterIce, Buckeye Hydro etc.

 

[Data]

Hi! Highly recommend you purchase an RO DI unit. It will pay for itself in the long run. Check out Bulk Reef Supply, AirWaterIce, Buckeye Hydro etc.

Cool, thanks for the feedback! I am familiar with RO DI units but I thought that you have to get larger multi-unit ones to effectively remove chloramines. Perhaps I am wrong? I just worry about the upfront cost of the larger ones because I am trying to stay within a fairly tight (but reasonable) budget. In addition, I thought there was a bit of maintenance for replacing the RO filters. How much do you figure it would cost in yearly maintenance?

 

[taricha]

I thought that perhaps if the ammonia was just detoxified and perhaps not removed it still maybe would show even though it technically isn't toxic after being treated

This is the correct conclusion.
Ammonia is "detoxified" ...but not removed, and the API total ammonia test will re-release the ammonia at high pH, so it'll still show the same but would not be harmful in your tank.
Whether your tap water can safely support a reef or not is another question. Most people go with RO DI.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Cool, thanks for the feedback! I am familiar with RO DI units but I thought that you have to get larger multi-unit ones to effectively remove chloramines. Perhaps I am wrong? I just worry about the upfront cost of the larger ones because I am trying to stay within a fairly tight (but reasonable) budget. In addition, I thought there was a bit of maintenance for replacing the RO filters. How much do you figure it would cost in yearly maintenance?

After much research, I went with a unit from AirWaterIce. They have a lifetime warranty and the shipping and other costs were more reasonable than Buckeye. Give them a call. If you have chloramine in your local water, you will have to purchase an additional filter. Yearly maintenance costs will depend on how much water you filter. I don't think it is that much. Yes, you have the upfront expenditure but it sure saves over buying distilled or water from the LFS. I bought the additional home water tank system add on which was about another $100. Figured I might as well get the most bang for my buck.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I discuss the various issues with tap water here:

Aquarium Chemistry: Tap Water in Reef Aquaria

As will become clear in this article, using tap water is risky business. Short of testing your own water, there is no way to be certain that your water is acceptable.

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