nt labs ammonia test kit

Liquid tests for ammonia in freshwater.

40 tests

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, decaying organic matter, such as plant leaves. Some tap water may also contain a small trace of ammonia. Ammonia is invisible to the naked eye, it is extremely toxic to the fish, especially so if your pH is over 7 (alkaline) but is broken down into less toxic nitrite by the beneficial bacteria found in the filter. If your pH is acidic (less than 7) then ammonia is found in the form of ammonium (NH4+) which is not usually an issue for fish, but does indicate the biological filtration of the aquarium is insufficient, or the aquarium has an issue.

There is no occasion where any ammonia is tolerable. A level of zero mg/l (ppm) should be maintained at all times.

If a level of 0.2 mg/l (ppm) is found, add a filter bacterial booster. If a level above this is found, then a substantial water change is essential. Change 25% of the volume for 0.5 – 1.0 mg/l (ppm) ammonia and 50% for ammonia levels above this. Add Ammonia Remover to the filter compartment to remove ammonia. If any amount of ammonia is found, then it is important to check other vital water quality parameters, in particular pH, KH and nitrite.