odd ammonia

Question
QUESTION: Christy,

Firstly, thanks for all of your help in reviving my sick angelfish.  They are doing fine now.  There is one odd thing about the water though.  The liquid water queality tst kit says that the ammonia levels in my tank are ridiculously high, at 2.0ppm, but the fish are acting like the water quality is at 0.0 ppm.  They literally seem to be doing fine (now swim bladder problems, not spots, no scratching agains the walls and tank articles) but like i said, the kit says its at a dangerous level.  I've used stones that are supposed to de-ammonia the water, and i keep the water at about 82 degrees.  I've heard of ammonia that is present, but not harmful.  Any suggestions as to what is going on?

Thanks,
hardy


ANSWER: Hi Hardy
You're welcome :)  Glad they're doing good adn adjusting!

What's your ph reading?  When ph is low, I believe under 7.0, ammonia is converted to a non toxic form, I think it's called ammonium(could be wrong on that name though).  

How long has your tank been set up for now?  I'd recommend removing the stones-guessing they're called ammo chips or something similiar?  Small white stones/chips?  If your tank is new, it needs to go through what's called the cycle process, here's a link that explains it better:

http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/startupcycle/Step_5_The_Cycle.htm

And removing any ammonia will disrupt the cycle, and cause you problems down the road.  If this is a new case, you need to monitor the levels, because your nitrites will spike soon.

Also, what kind of water dechlorinator are you using, if any?

If your tank isn't newly set up(within the last 1-2 months), try checking your tap water.  I have heard of instances where ammonia was present in the tap water.

Let me know on those and we'll take it from there.

Christy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The ph lievel is about 7.2. My tank has been set up for about 3 weeks, so it probably isn't cycled yet, huh? and i use genesis dechlorinator. but like i said, the fish aren't reacting at all.  and you were right about the stones, they are little and white. i'll take them out.

Answer
Hi Hardy
That's probably why it isn't affecting them then, the ph is lower.  Like I said, since it is a newer tank set up, keep an eye on the water parameters, you're nitrites are going to spike soon, and that will affect them.  Go ahead and remove the ammo chips/stones, like I said, if they do remove any ammonia, that'll interfere with the cycle process.  

On that link I sent earlier, there's also some articles on there about ammonia poisoning, and nitrite poisoning.  Especially read the one about the nitrite poisoning, because once that starts showing up, you'll need to start doing daily water change to help dilute that so the fish can survive.  What other fish were in the tank with the angels?  Because salt is supposed to help the fish a bit when nitrites are present.  Nitrites inhibit the ability for the fish to absorb oxygen into their blood, and somehow the salt counter acts that.  Some fish are salt sensitive though, catfish, plecos, tetras, loaches, any scaleless fish, so you may need to use a lower doseage then what she recommends on that link and add it slowly so the fish can adjust to it.

Well good luck :)  Let me know if you have more questions.

Christy