Ammonia levels

[Cyclura]

My problem started when i noticed that my QT tank was very cloudy. So i tested the ammonia and it was .25! so then i tested the water that i was using for water changes and it too was at .25 . And to top it all of, the tub that the water change water is in has had a diatom bloom! Luckily I have bene using amquel plus so the fish are uneffected.

I just dont know what could have happened. I did get the RO freshwater from cappuccino bay aquarium this time because i just happen to be there.

Do i have to throw out 10 gallons of freshly mixed saltwater or can this be saved somehow?

Has anyone else had problems with this store before? Last time i got RO saltwater from them and it was at 1.030 SG. I love their livestock selection and they are extremely knowledgable people but it just seems that every time i get water from them something is wrong with it.

[JustDavidP]

You will get ammonia in new water...until you get sufficent levels of bacterium (Nitrosomones) build to turn that into nitrite. The "cloudy" water is actually a bacterial bloom.

You either a) need to let a little cycle happen or b) continue to use an ammonia remover like Amquel or something.

Finding an SG of 1.030 from LFS water is unusual. Typically, they keep the SG lower to ward off parasites using osmotic shock. However, ANY salt water SG can creep up if stored too long and allowed to have some level of evaporation.

Dave

[CarmieJo]

I usually don't buy made up SW but when I have it is almost always lower than than the 1.025 that I keep my tanks at. How are you measuring SpG?

[JustDavidP]

Are you asking me? I use one of these



Dave

[CarmieJo]

Naw, I was actually asking Cyclura.