NUKED TANK DON'T KNOW WHY

[Reginald Reefer III]

Could the heat wave have somehow triggered high ammonia?

Cities often use chloramines (which contain ammonia among other things) to disinfect piping systems coming from where they treat water to send to homes. High heat and other factors like rain and humidity often causes biofilms/organics to grow inside distribution lines and cause issues with acceptable water chemistries they have to abide by for human consumption and usage. These chemicals disinfect the piping systems but the caveat is that they can also very easily wipe out your reef tank also.

Your first line of defense for reef aquariums to prevent these types of chemicals from ever being introduced is to create your own 'pure' water which is why multiple stage RO + DI is universally recommended to always be used and never use tap water for saltwater reef aquariums.

 

[Red_Beard]

Based on the other comments I got, I am now starting to think it was the tap water. I live in Colorado and we endured a really long heat wave with air quality advisories. It is entirely possible the city or state dumped way more chlorine in the water than my dechlorinator knew what to do with. I am going to continue reefing, but there may be a setback, as I live in an apartment right now, which complicates the whole RO/DI thing.

They make some or you can get an adapter for almost any, that will thread into your faucet. Then you arent making any alterations.

 

[Joe Tony]

They make some or you can get an adapter for almost any, that will thread into your faucet. Then you arent making any alterations.

So my tank is situation in the kitchen, and is about 8 feet away from the kitchen sink. What kind of adapter would you recommend? Would I need to keep the RO/DI unit attached to the kitchen sink, or can I plug it into the guest bathroom's bathhead?

 

[Joe Tony]

Was the Prime bottle sealed in a way that you know it was not altered? Customers reportedly sometimes buy products, use them, replace with water, and return for a refund.

Yes, and I have used the prime bottle many, many times before. That same bottle and previous ones.