From RichToyBox@attbi.com Tue Sep 24 11:20:57 2002
From: "RichToyBox" <RichToyBox@attbi.com>
Newsgroups: rec.ponds
Subject: Re: ammonia spike after adding plants?
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Message-ID: <MKXj9.55445$gA4.9758@sccrnsc02>
NNTP-Posting-Host: 24.30.254.125
NNTP-Posting-Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 11:10:36 GMT
Organization: AT&T Broadband
Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 11:10:36 GMT

Ammonia is in the ionized form of ammonium when the pH is below about 7.4
and is non-toxic.  Above 7.4 some of the ammonia is in the ionized form but
some is not.  I have seen a chart somewhere that shows the percentage of
each at different pH levels.  Adding Amquel moves all the ammonia to
ammonium so it is non toxic.  It does not remove it.  It will be detected
with a test kit, unless you use the two bottle tester.  The filter will
build enough bugs to eat the ammonia, it just takes a few days.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"Randall" <randallrosa@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:1e08ee2.0209231933.52e6462b@posting.google.com...
> ~ jan <JJsPond@noe-mail.com> wrote in message
news:<shdtou09pbvc9dgc95p3oedrs4pqd0d7eb@4ax.com>...
> > >~ jan <JJsPond@noe-mail.com> wrote in message news
> > > Amquel will also neutralize the ammonia in the water, but I'd go with
the
> > >> 10% water change + Amquel.   :o)  ~ jan
> >
> > >Is >neutralizing< different than >dropping< the ammonia level?
> > >so even though my tests read approx. .5 ppm of ammonia, is it still
> > >toxic?
> >
> > No, it's not toxic. Neutralizing it means it will make it into a
different
> > molecule so it is not toxic to the fish, or can't be taken up by their
> > gills or something like that. Bet Rod Farlee or Ingrid could explain
that
> > better than I. Rod must be on vacation?
> >
> > >The lilies are from a fresh tub of water lily soil from the nursery.
> > >The cannes came planted, and all the oxygenators are planted in tiny
> > >cups filled with gravel.
> >
> > I think it is just coincidence that your ammonia spiked, though you
might
> > want to check with the nursery that they don't use manure in their
potting
> > mix, some do. Their mature ponds might handle it, but a new one would
not
> > be able to. Why I repot anything I get from the nursery, plus I don't
like
> > the garbage (clay and pea gravel) they use. Once dry it is like
concrete.
> >
> > How many goldfish and size?  What kind of filtration? 1,000 gallons
right?
> > ~ jan
>
>
> I have 2 goldfish, and 6 koi that are 4-6" in size.
>
> The pond is about 1000 gallon (about 6x8x3.5), and I have a cyprio
> green machine 1500 + UV clarifier, a sequence pump,
> waterfalls..etc.....plus about 20 oxygenators on the bottom...
>
> everything was great (prefect water! tests + really clear)  until I
> put those plants in!  ammonia problems and cloud water!
>
>
> The big question is how do I get an accurate reading of toxic ammonia
> through my water tests?
>
> Ive done two 10% water changes in the last 3 days, and no change...
>
> randall
>
>
>
> > See my ponds and filter design:
> > http://users.owt.com/jjspond/
> >
> >         ~Keep 'em Wet!~
> >      Tri-Cities WA    Zone 7a
> >          To e-mail see website