Help! I Need Ammonia!

[Ilya]

Yes it's pure. I hope. I think I found the ingredients (section 2): http/intranet.risd.edu/envirohealth_msds...learAmmonia.txt

Edit: Added the product to the ammonia index list on the forums.

 

[Gremily]

Glad you found it!
Be careful not to breathe too much while you have the lid off, and keep it off for a short as time as possible, it's really nasty stuff!

 

[rdd1952]

The test kit you mentioned is indeed a 2 part test kit and not ammonia.

 

[Ilya]

Glad you found it!
Be careful not to breathe too much while you have the lid off, and keep it off for a short as time as possible, it's really nasty stuff!

Oh great! The tank's in my room too. Now I'm going to have to sleep with the windows open!

 

[rdd1952]

You won't smell the ammonia. It's such a small amount, it will have no smell in the water.

 

[Ilya]

You won't smell the ammonia. It's such a small amount, it will have no smell in the water.

How much would be the ideal amount to put in? Because I just poured it in . I had an ammonia level if 7.5+.

 

[Gremily]

I didn't mean that it's bad to have the lid off the tank, just off the bottle. You won't notice it once it's in the tank as there's so little of it.

 

[rdd1952]

How much would be the ideal amount to put in? Because I just poured it in . I had an ammonia level if 7.5+.

The amount of ammonia you need depends on the concentration but from my experience, 1ml will usually raise 5 gallon to about 5ppm. The best thiing to do is run a 5 gallon bucket of water, add some ammonia and then test. That will give you a pretty good idea of what you need.

 

[Ilya]

ARE YOU SERIOUS? 1 ml? I used way more than that!!!!!! Is it okay?

 

[rdd1952]

It may be ok but sometime high levels prevent the bacteria from starting to develop. Also, if the ammonia level is off the chart, you can't tell when it is starting to drop.

 

[Ilya]

I put in not even a cup... but I hope this isn't too much .

That's out of one gallon too.

 

[rdd1952]

If you put that much in for a 22 gallon tank, your ammonia level is probably in the 100 to 200 ppm range. From my experience, you should need about a teaspoonful for you tank. 1cup = 48 teaspoons

 

[Ilya]

What do you suggest that I do? 90% water change.

 

[rdd1952]

I would do something in the 75 to 90 perent range. You just need to get the ammonia back to a measureable amount so you can see what is going on. Even that may not be enough. If the level is currently 100 ppm, then a 90% water change would still leave you at about 10ppm.

 

[Ilya]

Awww crap! You don't think I hurt the filter do you?