Water changes in 23 gal

[nuz]

PD has recommended that we do 10% water changes once a week for our 23 gal reef.
One of my concerns is the amount of ammonia in the tap water. We run it through a Pur filter into a bucket and then add salt and water conditioner. Despite efforts of the filter, we still run into dangerously high ammonia content.
Our tank is new and we've only done one water change so far. We ran out and bought Kent ammonia detoxifier to add. This does not remove ammonia - just makes it harmless to fish. However when testing the water you will still get a high reading because it is still present.
We have been told that with 10% water changes the amount of ammonia will neutralize and won't be enough to harm our tank.
Does anyone have any advice? Should we just keep using the detoxifier?

 

[devil dog]

I think you should look at getting an RO unit... and still do 10% weekly water changes...

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by Nuz
http:///forum/post/2544994
PD has recommended that we do 10% water changes once a week for our 23 gal reef.
One of my concerns is the amount of ammonia in the tap water. We run it through a Pur filter into a bucket and then add salt and water conditioner. Despite efforts of the filter, we still run into dangerously high ammonia content.
Our tank is new and we've only done one water change so far. We ran out and bought Kent ammonia detoxifier to add. This does not remove ammonia - just makes it harmless to fish. However when testing the water you will still get a high reading because it is still present.
We have been told that with 10% water changes the amount of ammonia will neutralize and won't be enough to harm our tank.
Does anyone have any advice? Should we just keep using the detoxifier?
Amonia as you know is the deadliest thing you can have in your tank in any amount it can harm fish. Is there anyway you can buy RO water? This would be the best solution, if nothing else I would keep using the detoxifier.

 

[nuz]

I've heard the term RO used several times since we entered the saltwater world. But what is it?

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by Nuz
http:///forum/post/2545076
I've heard the term RO used several times since we entered the saltwater world. But what is it?
Reverse Osmosis, its water that is filtered through a 3 to 5 stage filtration system. This system takes out all the impurities in the water leaving pure non toxic H2O. It takes out all solids including phosphates, metals, iron, copper...etc. There is RO/DI water too which is better than RO water it goes through an additional filter membrane and gets de-Ionized. It is strongly recomended that if your tap water shows any traces of metals or other harmful things that you use RO water for your aquarium. Most LFS that sell SW fish have RO Water to purchase.

 

[nu2salt]

just curious...you said the tank is new. how long has it been up and running? Are you still going thru a cycle?

 

[spanko]

Ro water can be bought inexpensively at Walmart of a lot of grocery stores or at a lot of fish stores. If you can't do RO distilled is what I have been using with very good results. Was using it for my top off and for water changes. Just recently went to using natural sea water for my changes but still distilled for top offs.

 

[nuz]

Will look for the RO water then, but distilled works just as well...?
Started the tank in January... it's been cycling.

 

[spanko]

Yup distilled good to go. I think you can find RO for less $ though. distilled is about a buck a gallon.