Is this possible?

[AyalaCookiejar]

Today I tested the ammonia in my tap water and in my new betta's aquarium just to compare the two. The ammonia in my tap water reads about .25ppm while the ammonia in my tank reads close to 0ppm... How is this possible? I got my betta on Tuesday and did not do a fishless cycle and do not have any live plants. Could I have done something wrong when I tested?

I have the API master test kit. Sometimes I find that the results for the ammonia tests are slightly hard to read, but the tap water vial was clearly more green and the tank water vial more yellow. I'm also sure I did not get the two mixed up.

I'm just very confused..

[shellieca]

Yes it's possible. And yes the colors can be difficult to discern. So long as your tank water is reading safe I wouldn't worry about the tap water. Some people have higher tap ammonia but their cycled tank will process it out so its not a problem.

[ChoclateBetta]

If i remember right Dechloranitor helps get rid of ammonia.

[shellieca]

It doesn't remove ammonia only detoxifies.

[ChoclateBetta]

Ammonia is bonded to the Chlorine.

[AyalaCookiejar]

Is it possible that my tank is already cycled? I haven't had it for a week yet o_0 And yes, the ammonia is bonded to a form that is not harmful, but my test kit will still read it.

[ChoclateBetta]

It might be turned to Ammonium.

[AyalaCookiejar]

I know, but the test will read ammonium like it is ammonia. It read both harmful and detoxified ammonia.
&& I like your new picture of Carter.

[shellieca]

It is HIGHLY unlikely your tank cycled in a week. I forget what size tank you have. My 10g fish IN cycle took 8 wks to complete. I had 1 male Betta & added a Mystery snail about 1/2 way through. My ammo was typically about .25 & I did 50% water changes about every 3 days. My nitrites didn't show up until week 6 & lasted 2 wks.

[ChoclateBetta]

Test Nitrite and Nitrate.