ammonia products and tests

[Jason Donohoe]

Does anyone know if Ammo Lock (contains alphatic amine salts) will interfere with the Seachem free and total ammonia test?

Any thoughts on how Ammo Lock works? Will it neutralize both free and total ammonia or just it just convert ammonia to ammonium?

Lastly, is the ammonia alert sensor by seachem of any value? It says it measures toxic free ammonia. I was testing my QT for free ammonia only and getting zero. I tested for total ammonia and it was quite elevated.

I did a 25% water change and plan on repeating the same tomorrow. I added 5ml of Ammo Lock to the 20G tank after the water change.

The yellow tang in the tank looks fine, eating well.

 

[Boomer]

Does anyone know if Ammo Lock (contains alphatic amine salts) will interfere with the Seachem free and total ammonia test?

YES IT CONTAINS THAT SALT

NO, IT WILL NOT INTERFERE.



Any thoughts on how Ammo Lock works? Will it neutralize both free and total ammonia or just it just convert ammonia to ammonium?

YES.

IT WORKS ABOUT THE SAME AS AMQUEL

Chloramine and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/rhf/feature/index.htm



Lastly, is the ammonia alert sensor by seachem of any value? It says it measures toxic free ammonia. I was testing my QT for free ammonia only and getting zero. I tested for total ammonia and it was quite elevated.

YES, IT WORKS NICE.

YES YOU NEED TO BE CONCERNED WITH TOTAL AMMONIA AS FREE AMMONIA IS A PURE FUNCTION OF pH MOSTLY.

AMMONIA CALCUALTOR
http://cobweb.ecn.purdue.edu/~piwc/w3-research/free-ammonia/nh3.html



I did a 25% water change and plan on repeating the same tomorrow. I added 5ml of Ammo Lock to the 20G tank after the water change.

THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

 

[Jason Donohoe]

Boomer,

According to the Seachem badge it only detects free ammonia. Is it sensitive enough to pick up the small amount that my Seachem test kit will not?

 

[Boomer]

I'm not sure Jason it has been along time since I've played with one. I would use a good seawater ammonia test kit like the Instant Ocean or a Kordon. I'm not a SeaChem test kit fan. I just do not like the way they are put together.

There is no such thing as "toxic free ammonia". It is more toxic or less toxic. I could care less if it is free or ionized. Don't dare yourself to fall for, " there is no free ammonia so I'm safe" or you will be in big trouble in river city

 

[Jason Donohoe]

Boomer,

The reason I'm using the Seachem kit on the QT tank is to use it up (I replaced it with the Instant Ocean products). Does the Instant Ocean test measure both free and ionized?

 

[Boomer]

No, the IO does not, just Total as NH4-N. There is not need to measure both. Total Ammonia will give you the free by using the calculator. For a more exact seawater value of NH4+ vs NH3 one can use this spread sheet calculator for NSW. The best thing to do when dealing with ammonia is to keep the pH low, like 8.00 or so, which reduces the more toxic free ammonia


Table 10 Calculator
http://www.fisheries.org/afs/hatchery.html