Toxic-or-Non toxic Ammonia... ionized or un-ionized?

[ChileRelleno]

This relates to my "Chronic low levels of Ammonia" thread.

Research on Kordon's Amquel www.novalek.com
(My conditioner of choice currently) has turned up some really interesting "Kordon Product Data Sheets". This excerpt is from Article 62 General Info-Ammonia, section 6

WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF pH (ACIDITY/ALKALINITY) AND TEMPERATURE ON AMMONIA?
If you want to be more exact in assessing whether the amount of ammonia in the water is in the toxic form or not, it is necessary to measure the pH as well as the ammonia, because the pH of the water determines how much of the ammonia is in the un-ionic (toxic) form. Dependent upon the pH of the water, the ratio between ionized (nontoxic) and un-ionized (toxic) ammonia changes rapidly. The ammonia molecules are in balance between the nontoxic ionized and the toxic un-ionized; the higher the pH the more ammonia is in the toxic form; conversely, the lower the pH the less ammonia is in the toxic form. Temperature also plays a part in determining how much of the total ammonia molecule is in the toxic form; the higher the temperature, the more toxic the ammonia.

Kordon has created a chart of ammonia tables that show how to determine the amount of toxic ammonia in a given sample of water when the pH and temperature of the water and the amount of total ammonia are known. Once test kit readings are made of the ammonia, pH and temperature, the exact amount of ammonia in the toxic form can be determined. This chart also points out how pH and temperature can have a dramatic effect on the amount of toxic ammonia present in an aquarium or pond. For example, if the ammonia reading is 0.5 ppm (mg/L), if the pH is 7.0 and if the temperature is 73.4° F then the amount of toxic ammonia is .0025; the amount of toxic ammonia in this sample is below a harmful level for most aquatic animals. If only the pH were raised to 8.0, the amount of toxic ammonia would also rise to .0218 ppm (mg/L) which is a harmful level for many aquatic animals. This result would indicate that Kordon's AmQuel should be added to the water to eliminate the toxic ammonia, or that a water change should be made. Testing should be continued to be sure that harmful levels of toxic ammonia do not recur. Click here for access to the AMMONIA TABLES

According to their "AMMONIA TABLES" my toxic levels are actually below .0004--ppm even though my test kit reads aprox .25-.50ppm.

This is some really interesting reading and considering my results they may have something here. There is more good data here on understanding water chemistry than most folks can comprehend or want to even try to read. But I encourage everyone to go check it out and read what you find revelant to your needs/curiosity.[/url]

[ChileRelleno]

bump

[Menagerie]

Yes, ammonia levels are affected by all sorts of other water parameters. In one of my test kits, you need to have the pH reading and line it up with ammonia reading to get the accurate reading--very interesting stuff. Almost makes my wish I had paid more attention in chemistry

[William]

almost makes you want to just buy a gadget that does it all for you just by dipping a probe in the water