Description

AQUANATURE
AMMONIA (NH3/NH4) TEST KIT INSTRUCTIONS

Why Do ammonium/ammonia Tests?
Ammonia (NH3) is continuously released by fish through their gills, urine, and solid waste into the aquarium or pond. Ammonia is also added to the water by undigested food and other decomposing organic materials. The biological filter is a naturally occurring system that regulates ammonia in the aquarium or pond. But imbalances can happen with any natural process. Thus, it is crucial to screen for the presence of hazardous ammonia. Ammonia in the pond or aquarium can harm fish’s gill membranes and impair their ability to breathe normally. Fish quickly perish when ammonia levels are too high. Fish are stressed by even minute levels, which weaken their defences against illness. When the aquarium is first set up, water should be checked for ammonia every other day, and then once a week after the biological filter.
Testing Tips
This salicylate-based ammonia test kit reads the total ammonia level in parts per million (ppm) which are equivalent to milligrams per liter (mg/L) from 0 – 8.0 ppm (mg/L).
Directions
Remove safety cap:
1. Fill a clean test vials with 5 ml of water to be tested (to the line on the vials).
2. Shake well NH3 / NH4 reagent before use. Add 14 drops of Reagent No .1 “SHAKE WELL” and then add 14 drops of Reagent No.2“SHAKE WELL” and finally add 14 drops of Reagent No.3 “SHAKE WELL” (holding dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops.)
3. Cap the test vials and shake several times to mix solution.
4. Read the test results after 10 minutes observe the color change of the water sample in the vials horizontally, compare with the NH3 / NH4 color chart, and read the NH3 / NH4 value of the corresponding water sample.

Recommended NH3 / NH4 Levels
Freshwater aquarium (community aquarium): < 0.25 mg/l
Lake Malawi/Lake Tanganyika aquarium: < 0.25 mg/l
Plant aquarium with few fish (aquascaping): < 0.25 mg/l
Marine aquarium: 0-0.25 mg/l
Pond: <0.1 mg/l
What the Test Results Indicate

When a new aquarium or pond is formed, the ammonia level may rise to 4 ppm (mg/L) or higher and then rapidly decline as the biological filter settles in. After being transformed from ammonia to the deadly nitrite, nitrate will result. This could be a multi-week process. To expedite the biological filter’s growth, utilize AQUANATURE NITRIFYING BACTERIA Fish can be harmed by ammonia levels above 0 ppm (mg/L), which should always be maintained in an established aquarium or pond. The presence of ammonia indicates possible over-feeding, too many fish, or inadequate biological filtration.
Decreasing Ammonia Levels in Aquariums

Ammonia and nitrite levels in a recently set-up aquarium or pond will rise and then fall in the first few weeks, signifying the beginning of the biological filter’s creation. However, apply AQUANATURE AMMO BLOCK as indicated to lower ammonia levels during the first few weeks. The ammonia will change into a non-toxic form once AMMO BLOCK is added. Even after treating with AMMO BLOCK, the ammonia will still be visible in the ammonia test kit.