Subject: Re: Chloramine From: Stacy Millions <stacy@millions.ca> Newsgroups: rec.ponds Date: Tue, Apr 16, 2002 4:12 PM Message-ID: <3CBC8593.26454DDC@millions.ca> Lee Brouillet wrote: > AmQuel bonds ammonia to render it inert until the filters can break > it down. I was under the impression that the resulting compound would not be processed by a bio filter. > It will do the same for the chloramine. However, testing > for ammonia is skewed because it *shows* ammonia levels, even though > it's "inert". Is there anything us normal mortals can do to to > determine if our fish are in any danger, or should we just trust the > chemicals and throw out our ammonia test kits? How is this handled > in other parts of the country where chloramine is already used? Two things: 1) The test kits that give the false readings use the Nessler method, kits that use the Salicylate method are not affected. Kits that use the Salicylate method tend to be more complicated to use (which is why the common pond/aquarium kits use the Nessler method) 2) If you use a typical dechlorinator, it will react with chloramine, break the chlorine ammonia bond and neutralize the chlorine, leaving the ammonia behind. Your filter should take care of this ammonia the same as it takes care of the ammonia your fish produce. Since the typical concentration of Chloramine used by a water utility is 1 ppm (could be as high as 3 ppm), if you do a 25% water change with dechlorinated water you would be adding ammonia to about 0.25 ppm (not measurable on my kit) and the ammonia would be handled by the filter. So just use a dechlorinator that does not react with the ammonia and "don't worry be happy". -stacy ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Chloramine From: rodfarlee@aol.com (Rod Farlee) Newsgroups: rec.ponds Date: Tue, Apr 16, 2002 4:54 PM Message-ID: <20020416165451.07672.00000609@mb-mp.aol.com> "Because of the way in which AmQuel reacts with organics, salicylate test kits are the only type suitable for use with AmQuel. The reagent used in Nessler method test kits will react with AmQuel, producing a dark brown color, falsely indicating a high level of ammonia present in the test sample." To read more, scroll to the bottom of this page: http://www.kordon.com/kpd62.htm Tetra offers a salicylate (green) ammonia test, and is widely available in aquarium stores. - Rod p.s. Most water systems meet the EPA Chlorination Byproducts Rule without need of converting to chloramine. So most water systems will not use chloramine, and most of us have no need to use Amquel.