Tropic Marin NH4+/NH3 – Test

Ammonium/Ammonia Test for freshwater and saltwater aquaria

Measuring range & accuracy:
-Measurement range: 0.02 – 3.0 mg/l (ppm)
-Accuracy: 0.03 mg/l (ppm)

About ammonium and ammonia:
-Ammonium is the product of nitrogen mineralisation in which bonded nitrogen from food remains and excrement is converted to NH4+ by bacteria. Depending on the pH value, there is an equilibrium between ammonium ions NH4+ and ammonia NH3 in the water. If the pH value is less than 7, the largely harmless ammonium ions are dominant, while the presence of ammonia grows if the pH value is above 7. Ammonia is very dangerous as it impairs the breathing capability of living beings. It penetrates the cells easily, causing the pH value to rise and inhibiting vital functions. In a healthy and well-established tank, ammonium ions are quickly oxidised by nitrifying bacteria into nitrite and, in turn, into nitrate. If this chain of events is disrupted, the concentration of ammonium can suddenly rise. Therefore, the concentration of ammonium/ammonia should be tested, especially in new tanks.
-In this test, the total concentration of ammonium / ammonia is measured. In freshwater applications, a total concentration of ammonium / ammonia of 0.1 mg/l (ppm) is normal under standard conditions, although an upper limit of 0.5 mg/l (ppm) should not be exceeded. In saltwater, the total concentration of ammonium / ammonia should be smaller than 0.05 mg/l (ppm). However, the crucial point in this respect is the pure concentration of ammonia, which is dependent on the overall situation defined by the temperature, the pH value and the total concentration of ammonium / ammonia in the aquarium. After a measurement has been taken, the ammonia concentration in the water can be determined.

What’s in the box
Package contents:
20 ml / 0.68 fl.oz. of reagent A
10 ml / 0.34 fl.oz. of reagent B
10 ml / 0.34 fl.oz. of reagent C
1 glass cuvette 10 ml
1 dosing syringe 5 ml
1 measuring spoon
2 colour cards
1 instructions for use