RO/DI & Ammonia

[Corant1171]

Hi, I'm running a Fluval Evo 5g reef with no fish, no sandbed, 3lbs of live rock, some cheato, and a large frag of Green Star Polyp (GSP). Mid-April I did a 50% water change with RO/DI water from my LFS. Ever since then the GSP has been deteriorating. The day after I did the water change I tested the water with an API kit, and the Ammonia was 0.50 ppm, and the Nitrates were 20 ppm. A few weeks pass with no improvement, so I decide to buy an "Aquatic Life 4-stage 100 GP RO/DI" system off of amazon. After setting the unit up, flushing the cartridges, and making about 5 gallons of RO/DI water, I mixed up saltwater (instant ocean). After mixing, I tested the new batch of saltwater and it has 0.50 Ammonia, 0.00 Nitrates. I do not have a TDS meter, and I run well water where I live. I think the next step would be to return the unit and buy a BRS unit. But I figured I need to reach out to the community for help before spending more money. Any guidance is welcomed.

 

[lapin]

I would say the ammonia test is invalid.
Where is the ammonia coming from in the fresh mixed salt water?
I think your coral is unhappy because of some other prameter change that happened with this "50% water change with RO/DI water from my LFS"

 

[Corant1171]

I would say the ammonia test is invalid.
Where is the ammonia coming from in the fresh mixed salt water?
I think your coral is unhappy because of some other prameter change that happened with this "50% water change with RO/DI water from my LFS"

I am not sure where the ammonia could be coming from. I use a pump and a heater to mix the water in a small plastic bucket. I just don't know what step would be wise to take next. Would buying a TDS meter help?

 

[lapin]

First test the water with a different test kit, or have your LFS do it. I dont think you have ammonia.

Oh and howdy and welcome

 

[K7BMG]

Yes a TDS meter will help, but not to solve the issue on ammonia.
You need to know if your product water is at 0 TDS.

Freshly mixed saltwater will have 0 ammonia.
The carbon block and the DI resin should remove all ammonia.
If your on a well it could be from that.

EVERY API kit always shows .25-.50 ammonia.

I do not trust RO/DI from any LFS. They just don't ever seem to have the time to change out the consumables with fresh.