Ammonia in storage water.

[baws187]

I have a 30 gallon rubbermaid container. I have had water in it for a week it has ammonia in it it had a heater and power head. Could it be pulling ammonia out of the air. My roomies cats used to pee back in the laundry room its a big room. I dont really have a problem if I use the water quickly. I would like to be able to store my water. I have cleaned the power head in vinegar before I put it in my container. Basically has is this ammonia getting in my countainer. I tested the water from the rodi its fine. Has happened with lots of different salts.

 

[LowersMyBP]

Put a lid on it?

 

[chuckreef]

How do you get the water to the tank when you do water changes?

 

[kriv4o]

How did you figure out there is ammonia in your stored water? Did you test or are you trusting your nose? Because there are a number of people including me that have their RO/DI water smell weird.(and very close to the smell of urine)

 

[seapug]

It's not impossible that the cat peed or sprayed on/near/in the container. Exactly how much ammonia are you measuring in it?

 

[baws187]

The cat is never down here anymore. my dog does **** in the room thats near it sometimes. I am measuring .25 ish. The hose coming of the rodi is fine I tested the water there. I had this problem before a lid helped. I have the lid on it but not real snug do to wires going into the container. I should be able to store salwater longer then a day right?

 

[mgargiullo]

Was it a new never been used Rubbermaid container?

 

[baws187]

Yes it was new and never used.

 

[seapug]

could be something with the container. Try mixing a small batch in a 5 gallon bucket, place it in the same area as the barrel and see if you get ammonia in it. If so, it's gotta be the salt mix or something environmental, if it doesn't, there's probably an issue with the barrel. Speaking of which, what salt mix are you using and how old is it?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What sort of water are you putting into it?

Tap water with chloramine will produce ammonia. An RO / DI with a depleted di will also release a lot of ammonia if there is chloramine in t e tap water.

 

[baws187]

I have well water I am using coralife salt I have used others as well with the same problem. Is there a way to seal it up or do they make a sealed system I guess I could cut holes.