PRODACTEST NH3/4 how to use the test kit

Описание: Each aquarium always contains organic waste due to fish excrement, to the metabolism of microorganisms and deriving from food scraps and parts of plants and seaweed in decomposition.

All of this material pollutes water, but is also useful for the life of numerous types of bacteria and other microorganisms which in turn are part of the indispensable aquarium biological cycle called “nitrogen cycle”. In order to guarantee a perfect environment for all organisms living in the aquarium, this cycle should take place without toxic substances being produced during this course of action, meaning the decomposition of organic products.

The first step is the transformation of protein substances in ammonium/ammonia by specialized bacteria. Depending on the pH value of water during this process, ammonium is produced (NH4) when the pH value is around 7 or less, while with a pH value higher than about 7.5, besides ammonium, ammonia (NH3) is produced as well.

Ammonia is quite toxic, while ammonium is less dangerous and in addition it is partially removed by plants and seaweed which use it as a source of nitrogen.
A 0.10-0.50 mg/l concentration of ammonium in fresh water is normal and not dangerous. In the case of ammonia, an amount higher than 0.02 mg/l is dangerous and with a 0.20 mg/l amount, fish and invertebrate death rates have been reported. A high level of ammonium/ammonia is due to an insufficient filtering system (damaged bacterial flora or not mature enough), overpopulation in the tank, exaggerated food supply.

In order to quickly lower the concentration of ammonium, a partial change of water is advisable together with the use of NITRIDAC, a solution which contains bacteria for the transformation of ammonia into nitrites and for its complete removal.