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Re: KH and ammonia
Bob Dixon said...
>Steve Dixon writes:
>
>> I'm missing something here. Why would a rise in KH release ammonia and
>> kill your fish? KH and pH should rise together, right? Changing the
>> water should reduce any concentrations of ammonia, unless the new water
>> contains ammonia. What am I missing?
>
>Ammonia (NH3) at pH levels below 7.0 will pick up a hydrion ion and become
>ammonium (NH4+), which is much less toxic. So a rise in KH would drive the
>pH back up over to the base side, causing the NH3/NH4 equilibrium to swing
>back, releasing the h+ ions, and becoming the nastier form. But what I am
>missing is why water changes into a tank that is becoming more alkaline from
>its substrate would cause the ammonia release. Should be the other way
>around in this case.
A water change will move the pH lower, but will release ammonia into
a tank that previously has little or none. The ammonia comes from the
chloramine breakup. In any case, I doubt that I'll ever know what
caused the demise of the fish. The point was that some sand can quickly
drive the KH higher. I ought to have used Amquel.
Edison Yap asked....
>Has anyone experimented on growing Anubias Emersed or out side the water?
>Will this technique make this plant grow faster this way?
My experience is that Anubias sp. grow very well emersed.
--
Dave Whittaker
Gloucester, Ontario
Canada
ac554 at FreeNet_Carleton.ca