AquTru® Ammonia Test Kit
(nessler method)
0.6 - 3.0 mg/L (ppm) · Product Code 35910

 

KPD-44
GENERAL INFORMATION
Ammonia is a principal excretion product of fishes which results from the metabolism of nitrogenous (nitrogen containing) compounds, mainly protein, in their food. Ammonia is also formed from the bacterial degradation of nitrogen containing organic materials such as decaying plant and animal matter. It is present in solutions as both ionized (nontoxic NH4+) and unionized (toxic NH3) species; the proportion of these two forms is pH and temperature dependent. Click to see the section titled "UN-IONIZED AMMONIA TABLES".

Increased concentration of ammonia in aquarium water can result in gill tissue damage, stress and eventual death to the fish if it is not controlled. In an established biological filter, nitrifying bacteria will utilize ammonia and convert it to nitrite; however this conversion is dependent upon environmental conditions including pH, oxygen content and temperature of the water. If conditions inhibit nitrification (conversion of ammonia to nitrite) or if the bacteria in the filter have not been established, the ammonia can reach dangerous levels in a very short period of time. As little as 0.6 mg/L total ammonia can be toxic to fish. Although the proportion of total ammonia that is in the more toxic (un-ionized) form is pH and temperature dependent, it is necessary to accurately monitor the total ammonia present so that the actual concentration of the more toxic form can be determined.

AQUA-TRU ADVANTAGES
1) Fast and accurate readings in ranges appropriate to fish health. Graduations of concentration are very small to facilitate accurate readings of highly toxic ammonia.
2) Highly stable powdered reagents. Sealed in foil pillows and dated to insure freshness.
3) Easy-to-use kit: simple step-by-step instructions and explanations.
4) Practical expression of ammonia concentration: readings of ammonia are expressed as ammonia ion and as ammonia nitrogen.

INTERFERENCES
Excessive levels of calcium, iron, magnesium and sulfide will form cloudy precipitates in the test solution when the contents of the AMMONIA 2 NESSLER pillow is added prior to nesslerization. This only occurs when seawater or excessively hard fresh water is being tested. The contents of the pillow marked AMMONIA 1 ROCHELLE inhibits the formation of such precipitates for a short period of time; this results in clear reaction solutions and more accurate readings. Under certain circumstances, high levels of the previously mentioned ions will necessitate the use of two AMMONIA 1 ROCHELLE pillows to prevent clouding.

GUIDELINES FOR ACCURATE TEST RESULTS
1) Rinse the color cube 2-3 times before collecting samples so that residual chemicals from previous test do not interfere with results. It is suggested that tap water be used for the initial rinse so chemicals do not get into the aquarium when the cube is dipped. Aquarium water should be used for final rinses so that the residual rinse water will not affect the readings. Discard the rinse water each time so that residual chemicals are not poured into the aquarium.
2) When collecting water samples, take care to obtain a representative sample. For example, temperature differences near the surface can result in pH readings that differ from midwater samples. Although the affect is minimal, sampling techniques should be tested, Tale two samples and analyze according to kit instructions; any variation in the results indicates that more care should be exercised when collecting samples. A recommended method is to (a) submerge the rinsed, capped cube to midwater, (b) open the cube and allow to fill, (c) cap while still submerged and remove, and (d) drain water to correct level (discard excess).
3) Test the water sample immediately following collection. Time elapsed between collection and analysis may affect test results.
4) When matching the test solution to the color cube, use white paper as a background and read into normal daylight or incandescent light sources.

DIRECTIONS
1) Following the "Guidelines for accurate test results", obtain a representative water sample for testing.
2) If testing seawater or fresh water with high hardness, open one pillow marked AMMONIA 1 ROCHELLE , add the contents to the sample and shake to mix.
3) Open and add the contents of the pillow marked AMMONIA 2 NESSLER, cap and shake for one minute.
4) Match the resulting color to that which is closest on the color cube and read concentration directly as total ammonia, NH3 + NH4+ (not total ammonia nitrogen, NH3- N). Although all fishes have varying tolerances to ammonia, water changes should be made when total ammonia approaches or exceeds 0.6 ppm.

CAUTIONS
This kit contains potentially harmful chemicals that can be dangerous if misused. Read label cautions carefully and exercise extreme care during handling, use, and disposal of these chemicals. First aid instructions are available on the instruction card of each kit. This kit should not be used by children except under adult supervision. Following use, always clean hands, test apparatus and test area well.

REAGENT AND COLOR STANDARD STABILITY
The reagents should be used before the expiration date shown on the package. If the reagents are used after the expiration date they should be checked with an accurate standard solution to insure the reliability of the reagents. The color comparator strip should not be exposed to strong light sources for an extended length of time to prevent fading of the colors. The reagents should be stored in a cool place.

PACKAGING
Kordon's AquaTru Ammonia Nessler Test Kits are packaged one kit per box. This kit is also available as part of the Kordon AquaTru Saltwater Master Test Kit I. Replacement pillows are available for both kits in bags sufficient for 10 or 50 tests.

 Item Number

 Product Description

 35910

  Ammonia (Nessler) Test Kit

 35710

  35710 Amm. Nessler Powder Pillow Reagents- (10 tests)

 34202

  34202 Amm. Nessler Powder Pillow Reagents- (50 tests)

ORGANIC NITROGEN CONVERSIONS
A lot of confusion exists with regard to the expression of organic nitrogen (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate) concentrations. When dealing with organic nitrogen in aquarium systems it is essential that one knows whether the concentration readings are expressed as ion concentration or as nitrogen concentration. Many commercial test kits do not explain how the organic nitrogen concentration is expressed. This can lead to serious, even lethal, miscalculations of organic nitrogen concentrations. Ammonia concentrations in Kordon's AquaTru Ammonia Nessler Test Kits are in units of total ammonia ion instead of ammonia nitrogen.

Ammonia nitrogen is that nitrogen present in water that is from total ammonia in the solution. To convert total ammonia ion readings to ammonia nitrogen values, divide the ion reading by 1.3. A total ammonia concentration of 2.6 ppm equals 2.0 ppm ammonia nitrogen (2.6÷1.3). The conversion factor of 1.3 is based upon weight proportions of the nitrogen and hydrogen in ammonia (1.3 grams of ammonia contain 1 gram of nitrogen).

The calculation of the conversion factor is as follows:

Nitrogen atomic weight: 14.01

Hydrogen atomic weight: 1.01

Molecular weight NH4 (ammonium): (M.W. nitrogen) + (4) (M.W. hydrogen) = (14.01 + (4) (1.01) =18.05

Ammonia nitrogen = 14.01÷18.05 = 0.7762

Therefore, to convert total ammonia ion to ammonia nitrogen, multiply by 0.7762, which is the same as dividing 1 by .7762 . This equals 1.2883 (rounded off to 1.3).

Conversely, to convert ammonia nitrogen to total ammonia ion, multiply by the same factor of 1.3.

From this, one can see that without the knowledge of how an ammonia concentration is expressed, a 1.3 fold error can result. Although this is relatively small, it can still be critical due to the high toxicity of ammonia to fish.

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