Ick

[Dave 54]

Water smells okay. I tested my tap water and it shows ph of 8.8 and ammonia level 2 ppm. If I'm using this water for water changes isn't this adding to the problem. I will try zeolite rocks.

remember that if treat your fish with salt the zeolite can release back into the sytem which is what you dont want

Dave

 

[crazyforponds]

Thanks. Guess I won't do the rocks right now.

 

[dieselplower]

Water smells okay. I tested my tap water and it shows ph of 8.8 and ammonia level 2 ppm. If I'm using this water for water changes isn't this adding to the problem. I will try zeolite rocks.

Yes 2 ppm is quite high.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Yes 2 ppm is quite high.

I agree. At pH of 8.8, even with the lower temperatures, this is a borderline dangerous level.
It appears that you do not have sufficient filtration (bioconversion) needed to convert the existing Ammonia.
Is your tap water municipal or well supplied? Seems strange that municipal water would have Ammonia levels that high.
This would certainly severely stress your fish.

 

[crazyforponds]

I agree. At pH of 8.8, even with the lower temperatures, this is a borderline dangerous level.
It appears that you do not have sufficient filtration (bioconversion) needed to convert the existing Ammonia.
Is your tap water municipal or well supplied? Seems strange that municipal water would have Ammonia levels that high.
This would certainly severely stress your fish.

Municipal.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Municipal.

A couple of citations FYI.

"The National Academy of Science recommends, and many European nations have adopted, a drinking water standard of 0.5 mg/l (ppm)."
Oregon Department of Human Services
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
HEALTH EFFECTS INFORMATION
AMMONIA

"These practices include limiting excess free ammonia entering the distribution system to concentrations below 0.1 mg/L, and preferably below 0.05 mg/L, measured as nitrogen."
Ammonia in Drinking Water (on-line document)
Health Canada

Ammonia levels are usually held to an absolute minimum in Potable water treatment because of its ability to neutralize the effectiveness of Chlorine as a disinfectant. I suspect that what you may be detecting is Chloramine, which, of course, should be neutralized before use in a pond. I would suggest that you contact the municipal water department to determine if Chlorine or Chloramine is being used as a disinfectant.

 

[koiguy1969]

chloramine is a chlorine, ammonia mix. some treat with both, including here.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

chloramine is a chlorine, ammonia mix. some treat with both, including here.

Correct. As a chemical compound, it disassociates fairly easily. Water that has been treated with Choramine will show positive levels when subjected to a standard water test for Ammonia.

 

[crazyforponds]

Correct. As a chemical compound, it disassociates fairly easily. Water that has been treated with Choramine will show positive levels when subjected to a standard water test for Ammonia.

Could this be the reason that I have .25-.5 ppm of ammonia in my pond?

 

[crazyforponds]

Update on my fish problem. Well looks like we lost total of 8 fish . Still can't fine the really sick yellow koi. He was the first fish we ever put in the pond. The other fish are looking much better. The ich or fungus seems to be gone. I have a slinity meter now and I tested the water at .2%. Do I leave the salt in the water until spring for do partial water changes until it is lower. The weather here has been okay that the pond has not frozen. I'm afraid to do water changes because the water coming from my tap seems to have a high Ph and ? ammonia. I called the state of Kansas water dept and told them what I found. They basically said that my kit was not the right kit to test drinking water and that even though the EPA recommended a much lower pH level that there were not regulation for compliance.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Ph is not your problem as long as it is relatively stable. Ammonia may, or may not be a problem. The API Ammonia test reveals results in total Ammonia. Total Ammonia or TAN is comprised of Ammonium, which is harmless to fish, and Free (Non-ionized) Ammonia which is harmful. The percentage of Free Ammonia is determined by pH and Temperature. There is a formula for determining the Free Ammonia level but I always use this convenient calculator. http://www.cnykoi.com/calculators/calcwgt.shtml
When you add water to your pond are you using a Chloramine neutralizer?

Not surprised at the attitude that you got from the bureaucrats.