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Introduction to Ammonia
As fish digest their food, and as bacteria break
down uneaten fishfood and other organic matter, Ammonia is set free into the
aquarium water.
In solution the total dissolved Ammonia changes
between 2 forms, the toxic Ammonia (NH3) and less harmful
Ammonium ions (NH4+ ) according to the pH and temperature of
the water.
The Red Sea Mini-Lab Ammonia test measures the
concentration of total Ammonia present. In any aquarium the majority of the
total Ammonia will be in the form of less harmful Ammonium ions (NH4+).
A percentage of the Ammonium ions (NH4+
) change as the pH increases, to the more toxic Ammonia (NH3).
Consequently, in marine aquariums with pH 8.1-8.4, Ammonia will present a more
serious problem than in freshwater tanks with pH around 7, since more toxic
Ammonia will be formed.
Concentrations of toxic Ammonia as low as 0.01 ppm
already show negative effects on fish, while 0.1 ppm can be deadly to some
species.
When to test for Ammonia
New Aquariums
Regular testing of the Ammonium level, pH and
temperature, is very important in a newly set up aquarium where high levels of
Ammonia are normal. As the new aquarium and the biological filter develop,
nitrifying bacteria begin to break down the toxic Ammonia to a safe level, so
that more animals can gradually be introduced. We advise to test daily for two
to four weeks in a new aquarium.
Established Aquariums
Even low Ammonia levels stress and weaken the fish,
which makes them more susceptible to parasitic infections such as white spot.
Ammonia poisoning is usually displayed by acute symptoms of fish swimming very
rapidly as in panic; or breathing very rapidly; or jumping out of the water.
The chronic symptoms are gill and skin damage and
sometimes color fading. At the first sign of any of the above symptoms test for
Ammonia. Ammonia levels may rise in older aquariums, when the biological filter
substrate has been damaged, for example after administration of a medicine. Also
a blocked or fouled filter as well as decaying matter in the tank, may give rise
to toxic Ammonia levels.
Recommendations
The toxic Ammonia levels are lowered by reducing
feeding to an absolute minimum. Remove any decaying material
and if possible as many of the fish as you can. If a
blocked or fouled filter is the suspected problem, the majority of Ammonia of at
least 0.01 ppm which will have a negative effect on the fish.
Special Tip
Be extremely careful when changing water with a high
Ammonia level and a low pH. The water change will indeed remove Ammonia, but
when the new water with a higher pH is added, you will increase the percentage
of toxic
Ammonia, to a level that may
be acutely lethal and kill the fish. Always check the pH first, when you want to
change Ammonia polluted water.
