Just Bought Ammonia... Is It Ok?

[dcj38]

Just bought some ammonia from publix and on the ingredients it says it has Ammonium Hydroxide and Surfactant... Is this ok? Btw it is not scented.

 

[tttnjfttt]

no. You don't want to use it if it has surfacants in it.

Taken from the pinned artricle on how to do a fishless cycle http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

Bottle of pure ammonia. If you don’t know where to find it, this thread may help you. Pure ammonia will only list ammonia and water as ingredients. Chelating agents are ok. Without going into great detail, that is simply a bonding agent that keeps the ammonia and water “mixed”. If it lists dyes, fragrances or surfactants, you don’t want it.

 

[mark.w.jones]

Agreed. I have read similar articles and surfactants are a definite no no. In the UK most DIY stores stock pure ammonium hydroxide and I bought mine for only £2 about $3.40. From what ive read the ammonium should really be clear and not froth up loads when you shake it. Surfactants are surface-active agents that are used in all foaming products, they are capable of emulsifying oils and holding dirt in a suspension so that they can be rinsed away with water. Soap is actually the most common surfactant.

So you'll get whiter than white, glowing fish with a sea breeze fragrance with no need to iron but they'll unfortunately die

 

[dcj38]

well when i shake the bottle it doesnt foam at all, but i will go to walmart later and get pure ammonia.

 

[dreworz5]

amonia hedrioxide and soft water are ok right?? thats the only two in mine.

 

[dcj38]

Yes, its just diluted a little

 

[dreworz5]

thats probbaly why it seems ive added so much yet my readings are so low. after 145 drops im at 4.0 ppm