AmQuel+ - how it works, compared to regular AmQuel
the complexes in AmQuel+ detoxify any chloramines, chlorines, and nitrogen compounds present in the water. AmQuel+ splits apart the chloramines (composed of chlorine and ammonia), detoxifies the chlorines in seconds and the ammonia within five minutes. AmQuel+ breaks the toxic nitrogen compounds in the water apart, gassing out their oxygen and hydrogen components out of the water into the air, and preventing the nitrogen compounds from recombining in toxic form. These compounds include all the ammonia/ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, pheromones, and all other toxic organic compounds for which there are no common names -- yet are important to detoxify to be harmless to fishes and other aquatic life. The nitrogen components are mostly detoxified within five minutes and the slight remainder is detoxified over the next 24 hours. The compounds now broken apart are in the detritus and transparently soluble in the water. They are consumed over time by the sewage-consuming bacteria and algae.
Also see Kordon Article "How AmQuel Works". AmQuel+ is similar to AmQuel in its basic actions, but with a different much improved formula. AmQuel+ will be described in greater detail when the patents pending are approved.
SPECIFICATIONS
AmQuel+ contains complexes of nontoxic reducing agents based on patented uses of sodiumhydroxymethanesulfinate, as well as on patents pending.
Does AmQuel+ Contain Any Amines?
We have received questions about whether this product contains any amines. It does not contain any amines in any form. For further information see the Kordon Article "Questions About Water Conditioners That Contain Amines And Ion Exchange Resins".
THE USE OF WATER TEST KITS WITH AMQUEL+
Many aquarists and pond keepers are used to using water test kits to see how much ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are in the water. With AmQuel+ this is given a different perspective, because AmQuel+ contains ingredients that absolutely are going to take out at least 1.2 ppm ammonia/ammonium, 2.0 ppm nitrites, and 13 ppm nitrates. With successive uses these toxic nitrogen compounds are not going to be a problem in aquarium and pond keeping. Therefore, the need for using test kits in aquarium and pond keeping is really lessened, because the AmQuel+ can be depended upon.
As needed, use accurate test kits to check how much of each compound is being removed when using single or multiple doses (see the section in the Kordon Article "The Truth About Water Quality Test Kits"on "The Way To Reduce The Need For Using Water Test Kits..." Be aware that some kinds of test strips and test kits using liquid reagents may be insufficient to provide accurate readings. Check test kit reagents to be sure that they are not out-of-date. For further information see Contraindications below and the Kordon Articles under Water Quality Test Kits.
THE REMOVAL OF PHEROMONES FROM THE WATER
One of the most remarkable capabilities of both AmQuel and AmQuel+ is in their detoxification/removal of pheromones (body odors) in the water, which are nitrogen compounds excreted by fishes and aquatic invertebrates. Fish communicate with their body odors to signal, warn, repel, and whatever else it is possible for them to communicate with their pheromones. This is a subject that has received appreciable research, and is important in fish behavior. In the confines of shipping containers, aquariums, and small ponds, the build up of pheromones can be harmful to fishes and other aquatic life. The regular use of AmQuel+ to keep pheromones under control is beneficial to the fishes and other aquatic life. See Kordon Article "About Pheromones (animal body odors) Released By Fishes".
THE REMOVAL OF OXYGEN FROM THE WATER
There have been concerns about AmQuel+ taking oxygen out of the water. In its reaction immediately after being put in the water, AmQuel+ momentarily takes out of the water 0.3-0.4 ppm (parts per million, = milligrams per liter) of oxygen. In all aquarium and pond keeping with fish and other living organisms under satisfactory conditions this will not be a factor. It would only be of concern if the aquarium is way overcrowded. This concern usually happens when the aquarist has no aeration or is using a "waterfall" type of filter as the only water movement in the aquarium. In this case only a slight amount of oxygen is getting to the bottom of the aquarium. For all aquarium keeping abundant aeration and water movement is important. When only one dose of AmQuel+ is used at a time, there is not a problem in having a deficiency of oxygen in the water. Regular AmQuel does not affect the oxygen in the water.
THE EFFECT OF AMQUEL+ ON RO REDOX POTENTIAL AND ORP OXYDATION REDUCTION POTENTIAL
For advanced aquarists measuring RO and ORP, it should be mentioned that with AmQuel+ temporarily removing 0.3-0.4 ppm oxygen in its initial reaction in the water in removing chlorines and detoxifying nitrogen compounds, RO and ORP is going to be temporarily lowered as well. This is not a problem unless the water conditions are far overcrowded with fishes and/or aquatic invertebrates, for which there should be ample aeration of the water.
In tests done on the reaction of AmQuel+ on RO and ORP, it was found that the main response in lowering mV was found in the reaction of AmQuel+ to the chlorines in the water, and in new aquariums and ponds that lack nitrogen compounds in the water. Therefore, the extent of the reaction of AmQuel+ on RO and ORP depends on water quality, including with the acceleration of the reaction at higher water temperatures. In the tests done, it was found that AmQuel+ returned to satisfactory RO and ORP levels within hours, at least within 24-36 hours.
FISH AND INVERTEBRATE SHIPPING AND HOLDING FOR SHIPMENT
Most of the excretion by fishes and invertebrates is in the form of ammonia/ammonium. This can build up during shipment, being highly toxic in the form of ammonia. As soon as ammonia/ammonia is present, nitrifying bacteria in the water are turning these compounds into ever more toxic nitrites. When nitrites are formed, nitrifying bacteria in the water are turning them into nitrates. AmQuel+ can be used during shipment to detoxify completely these compounds, and is particularly important for shipments that are days in duration.
If plastic bags are being used for shipping in which oxygen is added, the fact that AmQuel+ takes out 0.3-0.4 ppm in its reactions is not a factor. If Kordon Breathing Bags™ are used, it is best that shipping procedures are tested ahead of time to be sure that there is enough transfer of oxygen into the bags that will handle the breathing of the bags and the AmQuel+ reaction. If the shipping time is short, such as 48 hours or less, regular AmQuel can be used (it takes out the ammonia, but only slightly the nitrites and other nitrogen compounds).
Pheromones are particularly important when shipping fishes, because build up of the pheromones in the water caused by those fishes secreting toxic odors can and do kill fishes, including the ones releasing them into the water. The use of AmQuel or AmQuel+ in shipping has the added importance of detoxifying pheromones and making shipment of fishes possible that otherwise would not be practical. AmQuel+ is stronger than AmQuel in removing pheromones (see Kordon Article "About Pheromones (animal body odors) Released by Fishes").
AmQuel or AmQuel+ and NovAqua+ should be added to tap water used for short-term shipping fish and invertebrates. For long-term shipping of more than several days AmQuel+ should be used with NovAqua+, because of the build up of toxic organics from excretion. NovAqua+ and AmQuel+, when used together in shipping, will reduce stress, osmotic and pH shock, probability of infection, and neutralize ammonia, chloramines, chlorine and heavy metals. When AmQuel+ is used with NovAqua+ it increases the protection by neutralizing ammonia/ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, and other organics. If the fish are crowded or prone to bump into or abrade each other, Kordon's Fish Protector (formerly PolyAqua) should be used in place of NovAqua+ in both the shipping water and the aquarium or holding tank after shipments are received. Fish Protector (formerly PolyAqua) should be used to handle abrasions, bruises, and frayed fins of fishes.
FISH AND INVERTEBRATE FIELD COLLECTING
When using water from natural conditions for field collecting, the use of AmQuel+ or AmQuel in holding water and shipping water will reduce stress in fishes and invertebrates due to nitrogen compounds and pheromones intoxication. If fish will be held for days in containers, AmQuel+ should be used, because it will remove (detoxify) nitrites and nitrates as well ammonia. In addition, Fish Protector (formerly PolyAqua) should be used in holding and shipping water for optimum protection against abrasions, bruises, and frayed fins in fishes
STABILITY
So far as is known for this new formulation, AmQuel+ is stable indefinitely when stored in a cool, dark area away from heat and direct sunlight. AmQuel+ should be kept tightly closed when not in use. None have been found to go out of date. The odor that is in the AmQuel+ products does not interfere with the products stability, nor is it in any way toxic to fishes and other aquatic life.
What the Similarities and Differences Are Between AmQuel and AmQuel Plus
Similarities:
Both AmQuels break the chloramines apart that are put in the tap water by public water utilities, exposing the chlorines and ammonium/ammonia for removal. Both AmQuels remove all the chlorines from the water that would be added by municipal water utilities, with AmQuel+ removing far more -- 33 ppm chlorines if they are present. Both AmQuels remove ammonia/ammonium from the water, with AmQuel+ removing at least 1.2 ppm or more ammonia/ammonium per dose.
Differences:
While AmQuel removes a slight to moderate amount of some of the the toxic nitrogen compounds other than ammonia/ammonium, including amounts of nitrites and pheromones, AmQuel+ will per dose detoxify essentially most or all of the toxic nitrogen compounds naturally in the tap water and other water supplies as well as those being formed biologically. Subsequent doses will detoxify them all. Regular use of AmQuel+, such as in weekly doses, will control all the toxic nitrogen compounds in regular aquarium and pond keeping, including nitrates and pheromones.
What the similarities and differences are between NovAqua+ and AmQuel+:
Because of the nature of AmQuel+, the ingredients of NovAqua+ and AmQuel+ need to be kept separate in order to work right. When the ingredients of NovAqua+ and AmQuel+ are mixed and stored in the same bottle, there are interactions that interfere with their effectiveness. When the ingredients are stored separately, they have a long shelf life, for NovAqua+ exceeding five years, and for AmQuel+ indefinitely. When NovAqua+ and AmQuel+ are then put in the water from their separate bottles, their action is immediate and thorough.
The purpose of AmQuel+ is to remove from the water the chlorines, break apart the chloramines, and detoxify all of the toxic nitrogen compounds, including ammonia/ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, pheromones, and other nitrogen compounds which have no common names. The nitrogen compounds come from tap water, other water sources, and excretion of fishes and other aquatic organisms. It is recommended to use AmQuel+ when adding new water, and weekly to remove the toxic nitrogen compounds that are continually building up in the water. If there is an excess of AmQuel+ in the water, it will remain dormant until the compounds that it removes enter the water, acting immediately to detoxify them.
The purpose of NovAqua+ is to add multiple protective skin coatings to the fish to reduce stress and repel infectious viruses and bacteria, remove toxic heavy metals from the water that particularly come in from tap water passing through metal pipes, to act as a pH buffer for water coming from water pipes that has become acidic, and to add electrolytes to the water essential for fishes and other aquatic organisms.
What NovAqua+ also does similar to AmQuel+ is remove all chlorines and break the chloramines bond holding chlorine and ammonia, and subsequently removing the chlorine that is in the chloramines. However, these functions are more effectively done by AmQuel+ by detoxifying the ammonia in chloramines, and in taking out up to 33 parts per million chlorines from the water, while NovAqua+ takes out up to 6 parts per million chlorines. Therefore, for the most part NovAqua+ and AmQuel+ have separate functions that together provide essential actions needed in aquarium and pond keeping.
Using NovAqua+ and AmQuel+ together in aquarium and pond keeping provides the basic necessities for water conditioning that is continually needed for treating tap water and water from other sources, including bottled water.
CLAIMS BY COMPETITORS AND CONSUMERS REGARDING AMQUEL PRODUCTS
Claims By Competitors
There is the claim by a company in their ads in U.S. aquarium magazines that "AmQuel" is made by the same company as makes their product. This is not true. There are no relations between Novalek or any of its divisions or associates with the companies involved in the ad claims. Nor is anyone associated with Novalek or its divisions or associates making any AmQuel-like products for others. The company making the claims in their ads cites product patent numbers for their products, which according to the government patent offices of the respective countries, -- then and now those patents are no longer valid.
Another company in aquarium products is warning that one of their products should not be used with those water conditioners that contain amines. All of the Kordon products, including AmQuel+ are compatible with all water conditioners with which they have been tested. So far as is known, Kordon's products are not involved in the company's claims. No AmQuel or AmQuel+ product (or any other Kordon product) contains amines. See Kordon Article "Questions About Aquarium Water Conditioners That Contain Amines And Ion Exchange Resins".
Claims By Consumers On The Internet
There are a substantial number of references to AmQuel+ in forums and articles on the Internet. But even those that are praising the product, often get tangled up in just what AmQuel+ is accomplishing. Whatever -- hopefully the above description of AmQuel+ helps in explaining the truth about what AmQuel+ fulfills, as well as what it does not do. If there are further questions or comments, send them to info@novalek.com for our response.
The biggest problem that AmQuel+ has is that so many of the colorimetric water quality test kits on the market are low grade and useless. This did not matter as much before when there were not products that removed toxic nitrogen compounds (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates) from the water, as is now being done by AmQuel+. So there was no indication before, when test kits were not working properly. For most users, the assumption was that these tests were accurate, when in many instances they were not.
But now, there are the comments from test-kit users who are not seeing their test kits recording what AmQuel+ is irreversibly detoxifying. Their first reaction is to blame the AmQuel+ product for not working, rather than realizing that its scientific-grade chemical reaction has to happen, no matter what the water conditions. The problem is in the quality of their test kits (see Kordon Article "The Truth About Water Test Kits...". AmQuel+ is a professional product for which all production batches since the first one made years ago are still fully active in detoxifying chlorines and the toxic nitrogen compounds ammonia/ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, pheromones, etc. , to at least the extent indicated on its labels and descriptions.
There is the claim on an aquarium product manufacturer's Internet web site that laboratory tests proved that AmQuel+ does not work. Numerous tests outside of Kordon's control have been done on AmQuel+ by various independent scientific laboratories and U.S. Government Agencies. The only test that indicated that AmQuel+ was inactive was under complete anaerobic conditions in the water. Since these conditions are not going to exist in aquarium and pond conditions, this is not a factor as to the effectiveness of AmQuel+.
With 0.3-0.4 ppm (= 0.3-0.4 mg/L) or more oxygen in the water, AmQuel+ is going to remove at least the amounts of nitrogen compounds as indicated on the product labels and in the above account for AmQuel+. Usually it is going to be even more. Since such a low level of oxygen in the water is completely suffocating to fish and many other aquatic invertebrates, it means that under all normal water conditions --which by necessity will have appreciably more oxygen in the water -- there will be ample oxygen in the water for the fish and other aquatic life, as well as for AmQuel+ to fulfill its obligations in detoxifying nitrogen compounds in the water.
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