• You are viewing the forum as a Guest, please login (you can use your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft account to login) or register using this link: Log in or Sign Up

Does fertilizer put ammonia into the water.

Mullen88

Member
Joined
23 Apr 2021
Messages
30
Location
Derby
Hi everyone.

I've been dosing my tank (55 litre) that's been running about 12 weeks with a daily 1ml of tropica specialised nutrition for a few days now. 2 days ago I water tested and found trace amounts of ammonia in my water (0.25 ppm) I did a 50% water change and didn't feed yesterday. Tested again this morning and no change. This is the 1st time in about 5 weeks I've had any ammonia. Nothing has changed in the tank for over 2 weeks. Was wondering if the fertilizer causes ammonia as its the only thing I've started adding in the last week?
 

Attachments

  • 16198580899353360802913172925526.jpg
    16198580899353360802913172925526.jpg
    3 MB · Views: 344
Tropica Specialised contains either ammonia or urea based on the ratios of nutrients it contains, so it could well be the origin of your readings
 
Hi everyone.

I've been dosing my tank (55 litre) that's been running about 12 weeks with a daily 1ml of tropica specialised nutrition for a few days now. 2 days ago I water tested and found trace amounts of ammonia in my water (0.25 ppm) I did a 50% water change and didn't feed yesterday. Tested again this morning and no change. This is the 1st time in about 5 weeks I've had any ammonia. Nothing has changed in the tank for over 2 weeks. Was wondering if the fertilizer causes ammonia as its the only thing I've started adding in the last week?
Hello,
It is highly doubtful that your fertilizer at that dosing level can be responsible for that much ammonia, especially if the reading is the same after you have changed the water. What you should be asking is whether your ammonia test kit readings are reliable, to which the answer is: "almost never". The more you rely on test kits to do your thinking the more problems you will encounter.

Cheers,
 
Hello,
It is highly doubtful that your fertilizer at that dosing level can be responsible for that much ammonia, especially if the reading is the same after you have changed the water. What you should be asking is whether your ammonia test kit readings are reliable, to which the answer is: "almost never". The more you rely on test kits to do your thinking the more problems you will encounter.

Cheers,
Will bear that in mind and think of them as more of a rough guide. The fish seem happy enough and were more than ready for food after I skipped a day. Water is clear and other than a bit of diatom algae the plants are looking and growing great. Thanks for the reply 👍
 
Hi all,
Yes. I fill the tank with an 8 litre bucket. And dose each bucket full with 0.2ml
The ammonia reading is caused by "Prime", due to the way it combines with ammonia to form non-toxic compounds. Have a look at the <"linked thread">.
The fish seem happy enough and were more than ready for food after I skipped a day. Water is clear and other than a bit of diatom algae the plants are looking and growing great.
That is the bit that matters.

cheers Darrel
 
Hi all,

The ammonia reading is caused by "Prime", due to the way it combines with ammonia to form non-toxic compounds. Have a look at the <"linked thread">.

That is the bit that matters.

cheers Darrel
Does that mean I don't need to worry to much then. I did read that prime binds ammonia but it only lasts about 24 hours.
 
Hi all,
  • Does that mean I don't need to worry to much then.
Yes, don't worry.
the plants are looking and growing great.
That is the <"bit that matters">. Ammonia (NH3) is really toxic, which is why we need to reduce its level as rapidly as possible, it doesn't matter how we get there. The good news is that plants are very effective in reducing the level of ammonia, and there are four main reasons for this:
cheers Darrel
 
Back
Top