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What is ammonia?
Fish continually release ammonia
directly into the water through their gills,
respiration and solid waste. Uneaten food and other
decaying organic matter such as dead plant leaves also
release ammonia. The bacteria Nitrosomonas,
live in the gravel due to the presence of your
undergravel filter break down ammonia into nitrite via
the nitrogen cycle.
What is nitrite?
Nitrite is a toxic waste product
produced when bacteria break down ammonia in an
aquarium. As the biological filter develops, the
bacteria Nitrobacter break down the ammonia
converting it to nitrate a non-toxic end product. In
aquariums imbalances can occur where ammonia and
nitrite build up and poison the fish. Testing for
ammonia and nitrite is extremely important as even low
levels can be fatal for fish.
To reduce/remove ammonia and
nitrite from aquariums the following steps should be
taken:
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Water changes using a gravel
cleaner are a must. Gravel cleaning will remove
excess waste and uneaten food from the gavel bed and
also dilutes the concentration of ammonia and nitrite
in the aquarium. 1/3 water changes every few days or
as advised by a: staff member should be completed. If
water changes are being performed - more than twice a
week - do not always gravel clean, rather siphon water
from the top every second water change as although
gravel cleaning is essential too much gravel cleaning
can disrupt the bacteria colonies.
-
Ammo-lock should be added to
aquariums containing ammonia. Ammo-lock converts
ammonia into a non-toxic form. Remember it will not
remove ammonia so a positive ammonia test will still
result but the ammonia will be less harmful. Add 5ml
of Ammo-lock per 37 litres of water. Add after every
water change.
-
Ammonia and nitrite result due too
much waste in the water for the bacteria to convert it
to nitrate so you need to add bacteria so there is
more to break down the waste. Add double doses of
Cycle, 1 capful per 20 litres twice a week or as
advised by a staff member.
-
Products such as Nitra-zorb
pouches or Ammonia removing resin will absorb
the ammonia and nitrite from the water so these
products are a fantastic way of dropping the ammonia
and nitrite levels quickly and reducing the likelihood
offish losses. A staff member will advise you of the
use of these products. 5. We need to reduce the amount
of waste in your aquarium so feeding must be cut back.
Depending on the level of ammonia and/or nitrite in
your aquarium feeding should be stopped altogether for
a period of time such; as a week or reduced to every
second day. A staff member will direct you in your
feeding patterns.
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