Should I worry about ammonia if I am filling my aquarium with tap water?

Answer by  Ruby40 (372)

Not really. The most serious problem with tap water is chlorine which must be removed by a water conditioner. Under normal conditions tap water should not contain significant amounts of ammonia; and the beneficial bacteria in an established tank will break down the ammonia over time anyway. However if the water actually smells of ammonia, then you shouldn't use it.

Answer by  Requin (290)

Yes! Ammonia doesn't come from the water, it comes from the waste that your fish excrete. If too much ammonia builds up in the water it can cause severe health problems for your fish, including burned fins and death. Make sure you also use a water conditioner in your aquarium water before adding your fish to remove chlorine and chloramine.

Answer by  bigwig (654)

Tap water may contain trace amounts of ammonia, so, yes. Also, tap water can have other harmful chemicals in it. You should probably treat it or use something else.