Description
Ammonia is the main waste product produced by fish as a result of feeding. It can also be generated by the decay of uneaten food or decaying organic matter, such as plant leaves. It is invisible to the naked eye and its presence or absence cannot be determined by looking at the water alone. It is extremely toxic to the fish but is broken down into less toxic nitrite by the beneficial bacteria found in the filter. The desired ammonia (NH₃/NH₄⁺) level is 0 mg/l.
• In freshwater aquariums and ponds, ammonium (NH4⁺) is produced by the bacterial decomposition of uneaten food and plant matter as well as fish waste.
• Although ammonium is an important nutrient for plants, this is dependent on the pH level.
• If the pH level is above 7, it can convert to ammonia (NH3) which is then toxic for the fish.
• Above pH 7 even in small amounts of 0.2 mg/l, ammonia will still pose a threat to the fish with symptoms like rapid gill movements, nervous swimming, and loss of appetite.
• In higher concentrations from 1.0 mg/l and above, it can be lethal.
• If a level of 0.2 mg/l (ppm) of ammonia is detected, in an aquarium you can add some NT Labs Aquarium Filter Starter, or in a pond you can then add a filter booster such as NT Labs Pond Mature live filter bacteria or NT Labs Koi Care Filter Bugs to remove this.
• If a level above 0.2mg/l (ppm) of ammonia is detected, a substantial water change must be carried out first. Change 25% of the volume for 0.5 – 1.0 mg/l (ppm) ammonia or 50% for ammonia levels above this. In an aquarium, add some NT Labs Aquarium Ammonia Remover (RC286), or to remove this or in a pond, add some NT Labs Pond Booster ammonia remover or some NT Labs Koi Care Zeolite. All of these are best placed in the filter unit.
• If any amount of ammonia is found, then it is important to check other vital water quality parameters, in particular pH, KH and nitrite.
NT Labs Ammonia Test Kit will help you understand the importance of water quality. By having the correct parameters and good water quality, it will help your fish and plants live longer, healthier lives.
Highly accurate, the NT Labs Ammonia Test Kit contains liquid reagents which work by changing the colour of a water sample in relation to the concentration of a given substance. Simply compare the colour of the sample to the easy-to-read colour charts or count the number of drops it takes to alter the colour of the sample.
The tests are liquid drop tests from a calibrated dropper bottle, so all the drops are the same size. Just add your aquarium water to the test tube and count the drops needed. The back of the box details clear pictorial instructions so you can see what to do from the start. A set of colour coded stickers is provided to label both the test tubes and test tube lids, so you always conduct the same test in the same test tube avoiding contamination. Full instructions are included detailing optimum levels and suggestions for correction.
Suitable for tropical and coldwater aquariums. For brackish or marine set ups, we recommend you use NT Labs Marine Labs Test Kits to obtain the most accurate results.
