05-04-2011, 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by lilras
I tested just the tap water on its own yesterday. Ammonia level came out to .5 ppm
I just bought a new water conditioner which is API tap water conditioner (removes chlorine and detoxify chloramines and heavy metals) which i added to the water last night for the 2nd set up. Ammonia level is at .25 ppm just like it was with the first set up.
I'm guessing I would need another water conditioner or is this fine and the plants will take care of this?
I would suggest another conditioner, one that states it detoxifies ammonia. The issue is the initial influx of ammonia during a water change.
With a well-planted tank (more plants than what you have, and relatively fast growing ones because they use more nutrients) and small water changes, the plants and bacteria should be able to handle the sudden addition of ammonia during the water change. But rather than risk it, a conditioner that detoxifies ammonia is wise. Most do this by changing the ammonia to ammonium which is basically harmless and can still be used by plants and bacteria. By the time the conditioner ceases to have any effect, which is usually around 24 hours, the extra ammonia changed to ammonium will have been assimilated by plants and bacteria.