Ammonia

[fishy168]

Can you get anything to put in the water to reduce the ammonia in my tropical tank?

[mike515]

API do Ammolock. But only use it on a new tank.

[Snakes r grreat]

Why only on a new tank mike? The whole point of ammo-lock is it neutralises the ammonia, turning it into ammonium, its still there in the tank, just not toxic.

[mike515]

I just don't like using anything that isn't essential.

Literally, i use in my tank, water conditioner, and plant fertilliser (its a heavily planted tank)

The fewer chemicals (and even the "natural" additives) you use the better I find.

My other tanks are only water conditioners and filter booster with new filters. Thats it

[Snakes r grreat]

OK, i agree with you there to avoid chemical treatments as much as possible, but if you get an ammonia reading in your tank, stocked with fish, surely you would want to neutralise the threat of the fish dying from ammonia poisening, rather than not using a chemical on principle?

[mask-of-sanity]

if you nutralise the amonia in an established ank the chances are that it will spike again you need to find the reason for the spike in the first place ie; lack of water changes,incorrect filter cleaning or maintnance,over feeding,over stocking. you need to find the cause to get a remedy

[intravenous]

Originally Posted by alistu

if you nutralise the amonia in an established ank the chances are that it will spike again you need to find the reason for the spike in the first place ie; lack of water changes,incorrect filter cleaning or maintnance,over feeding,over stocking. you need to find the cause to get a remedy

I agree , why use chemicals when regular water changes and care will prevent the cause?

[Snakes r grreat]

Ok, i think that some of you are missing my point, i did not say that you simply use the ammo-lock and thats the end of the matter. I said it would surely be better to use the ammo-lock and the neutralise the threat of ammonia poisening to your fish, rather than do nothing at all, and let them die. We were not discussing how reguar tank maintenance will keep the threat of ammonia spikes down to a minimum, i was purely pointing out that in my opinion, it would be worse to not use ammo-lock on principle of not using a chemical in your tank, rather than use it to save your fish? Am i wrong in thinking that?

And yes, as we are on the matter, regular water changes, water testing, and filter and general tank maintenance, as well as watching the amount of fish you stock in the tank, and how much you feed them, are far far better ways of controlling ammonia and nitrite spikes in an aquarium. However, even the best keepers wil suffer with this from time to time, sometimes wth very little explanation.

[www.aquamania.co.uk]

Ammo Lock:
API - Ammo Lock | Aquariums, Reptiles, Pet Supplies, Fishing Tackle, and Aquatics Supply stockists.

Total Ammonia Test Kit:
Tetra - Test Kit (Total Ammonia) | Aquariums, Reptiles, Pet Supplies, Fishing Tackle, and Aquatics Supply stockists.

Hope this helps.

[mike515]

ammo-lock works, but as soon as its gone, the ammonia can spike again. Best to fix the cause before fixing the problem