Ammonia Remover

[simon10]

I have been searching around on the internet and have seen that there is a product called Ammonia Remover...Will this product help cycle ur tank quicker? or is it rubbish? thanks

 

[fatheadminnow]

I have been searching around on the internet and have seen that there is a product called Ammonia Remover...Will this product help cycle ur tank quicker? or is it rubbish? thanks

No, do not get this product.

The beneficial bacteria that live in our filters live off of ammonia, and if we take that ammonia source away, they will all die.

This will surely stall a cycle, if not kill it off completely.

-FHM

 

[Truck]

I have been searching around on the internet and have seen that there is a product called Ammonia Remover...Will this product help cycle ur tank quicker? or is it rubbish? thanks

what causes a tank to cycle? the presence of ammonia...removing it will stall the cycle, so its useless

 

[simon10]

oh im a newbie you see just wanted to see what it was and dont worry i wasnt thinking of getting it, just wanted to know what it was!

 

[fatheadminnow]

Our bacteria in our filters live off of an ammonia source at all times, if you take that away, than we will loose the bacteria.

What this ammonia remover does is converts Ammonia to a different state, one in which is harmless to fish, but one that our bacteria cannot live off of. I think it converts ammonia to ammonium?

-FHM

 

[CKutz]

i think you've got it backwards FHM. ammonium hydroxide can be used. many "ammonia removers" convert ammonia into something else that the biological filter can't use.

There is a product called Ammo-Lock ( you have to be careful you have the right one, research it a little on this forum, i can't find where they mention the manufacturer at the moment, but i believe it's API), which converts the ammonia into ammonium which is non-toxic to fish but your filter can use it. if you are doing a fish in cycle i think this could help, because the ammonium won't be toxic to the fish. but other than that and in emergency cases it shouldn't be used. it won't make your cycle go faster though, just be safer.

here's a little discussion about it: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=192631

i'm pretty sure this is all correct, but if not feel free to correct me

 

[Truck]

i think you've got it backwards FHM. ammonium hydroxide can be used. many "ammonia removers" convert ammonia into something else that the biological filter can't use.

There is a product called Ammo-Lock ( you have to be careful you have the right one, research it a little on this forum, i can't find where they mention the manufacturer at the moment, but i believe it's API), which converts the ammonia into ammonium which is non-toxic to fish but your filter can use it. if you are doing a fish in cycle i think this could help, because the ammonium won't be toxic to the fish. but other than that and in emergency cases it shouldn't be used. it won't make your cycle go faster though, just be safer.

here's a little discussion about it: [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=192631"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=192631[/URL]

i'm pretty sure this is all correct, but if not feel free to correct me

ammonium isnt non toxic, it is less toxic.

 

[waterdrop]

Hi simon ,

Ammonia removers have a valid use on the "emergency shelf" of the aquarist. Sometimes there are situations where you have a lot of fish, a completely failed biofiler and not the opportunity to change water. In this sort of rare scenario one might use a small separate filter filled with zeolite or some other ammonia remover to temporarily remove ammonia until, say, you got back from a weekend trip and could attend to your "emergency" in the appropriate way. There are other scenarios like this, just can't think of them at the moment.

The concern that fhm and truck were expressing is valid: the most common mistake with ammonia removers among beginners is somehow mistakenly thinking they are a -replacement- for a working biofilter, which, as you know is false, because at some later date when the ammonia remover capacity is 100% used up it will simply stop removing ammonia and since no biofilter has been established the fish will suddenly be swimming in poison.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[CKutz]

truck, i'm just going off of what i've heard other people say..but i personally wouldn't really trust it with my fish either, unless i was doing a fish-in cycle. but i would still do regular large waterchanges, just cause i don't really trust it..but if the word is that it's not as harmful as ammonia, it would be worth doing. but i would never suggest depending on the stuff, but getting your biofilter built up first.

simon10 what type of situation are you in? just a slow fishless cycle? or a fish in cycle?..or just curious

 

[fatheadminnow]

i think you've got it backwards FHM. ammonium hydroxide can be used. many "ammonia removers" convert ammonia into something else that the biological filter can't use.

There is a product called Ammo-Lock ( you have to be careful you have the right one, research it a little on this forum, i can't find where they mention the manufacturer at the moment, but i believe it's API), which converts the ammonia into ammonium which is non-toxic to fish but your filter can use it. if you are doing a fish in cycle i think this could help, because the ammonium won't be toxic to the fish. but other than that and in emergency cases it shouldn't be used. it won't make your cycle go faster though, just be safer.

here's a little discussion about it: [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=192631"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=192631[/URL]

i'm pretty sure this is all correct, but if not feel free to correct me

Yeah, I was not sure what it exactly what it converted it too, I was knew it converted it to something that our bacteria cannot use as a food source.

Thanks for the clarification!

-FHM