[APD] Re: Ammo Lock and Ammonia Tests

[Wright Huntley <whuntley at verizon_net>]

AFAIK, none of the modern chloramine "removers" can be used with any 
Nesler's-reagent ammonia test. All will give false positives, I think. 
[See the "Amquel" literature for details.]

Try the same test using a salycilate ammonium test and see if 
ammonia/ammonium isn't below detectable levels.

2ppm of ammonia is deadly to nearly any fish. Just be sure your pH is 
low until you have an answer, so most of it is as NH4, if it is really 
there. [I suspect it isn't.]

**************
A small side issue: Nesler-reagent tests are not nearly sensitive enough 
to tell you when potentially lethal amounts of ammonia (0.01 ppm) are 
present, but they are a particularly nasty environmental hazard. Don't 
throw that mercury compound down the drain, but dispose of it properly 
at your local recycling center. OK?
*************

Wright

> Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2003 17:21:01 -0700
> From: Phil Bunch <pbunch at cox_net>
> Subject: [APD] Ammo Lock and Ammonia Tests
> To: "'aquatic-plants at actwin_com'" <aquatic-plants at actwin_com>
>
> Can using Ammo Lock cause artificially high ammonia tests? I understand 
> that it causes the NH3 to be converted to NH4 and hence tests may not 
> decline immediately. My ammonia test this afternoon reads 2 ppm which is 
> causing me some concern even though the ions should all be in the NH4 from. 
> The fish show no signs of distress,  they have very good color, no gill 
> rubbing and no other symptoms. Also nitrite is testing at or very near 
> zero. The water smells good. I'm going to do a 50% water change and add 
> some Bio-spira.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Phil Bunch


--
Wright Huntley -- 760 872-3995 -- Rt. 001 Box K36, Bishop CA 93514

           Mencken's maxim—every election is a sort
             of advanced auction of stolen goods.



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