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Testing your aquarium’s water parameters regularly is an important part of keeping and maintaining a healthy environment for your fish and invertebrates. Fritz Ammonia Test Strips are quick and convenient way to measure ammonia levels in both saltwater and freshwater aquariums.
Ammonia (NH₃) is one of the most important parameters to monitor in aquariums. It is always being produced, and any measurable amount can be toxic to aquatic life if not addressed immediately. Ammonia is typically higher in new tanks while establishing the beneficial biological filter, but can also be present in established aquariums from lack of maintenance, overstocking, or when the biological filter has been disrupted by medication, power loss, or filter disturbance. Sources of ammonia include fish respiration, fish waste, uneaten food, decaying plant matter, dead animals, and tap water containing chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia).
Ammonia can reach lethal levels very rapidly. Test immediately in the case of fish illness or death, and monitor closely whenever medications or treatments are in use, as these can disrupt the biological filter and cause levels to rise.
Symptoms for acute and chronic ammonia poisoning include:
Dip the test strip in and out of the water 30 times (each dip takes about 1 second).
Remove the test strip from the water with the test pad facing up.
Immediately compare the strip against the color chart. Colors will continue to change, so it is critical that they are read immediately
The ammonia level in any established aquarium (with animals) should ideally be 0 ppm.
0.5–1.0 ppm – Temporarily stop feeding, perform a partial water change (approximately 25%.) Detoxify ammonia with Rescue A.C.C.R. or Complete water conditioner. Add FritzZyme nitrifying bacteria.
1.0–2.0 ppm – Perform a significant water change (approximately 50%) and follow above steps.
2.0+ ppm – Perform a significant water change (75% or more) and follow above steps. Consult an expert to determine the cause of the imbalance if the problem persists.
Ammonia is what feed the nitrifying bacteria in your aquarium that perform the nitrogen cycle. Once a system has fully cycled and your biofilter is healthy, the bacteria should continuously consume the ammonia produced by fish so that an ammonia test should always read zero.
Ammonia comes from fish waste, uneaten food and other decaying organic matter.
The bio filter (nitrifying bacteria) converts toxic ammonia to less toxic nitrite then to even-less harmful nitrate.
Nitrates are removed by regular water changes or consumed by live plants.
| Item # | Case QTY | UPC |
|---|---|---|
| 75004011 | 12 | 080531040119 |
