Ammonia is a nitrogen compound that is highly toxic to fish and is introduced into the water system through excess food and fish excretions. The more food or the greater the quantity of fish, the greater the ammonia output. In an established aquarium ammonia levels should be constantly zero as beneficial bacteria quickly converts it to nitrite. In a new aquarium or one with a recent introduction of additional fish, ammonia can increase to dangerous levels. Therefore, regular testing and the regular use of Nutrafin Cycle is essential to minimise ammonia spikes.

Feeding
This in fact is why it is important to keep feedings lean and initial stocking rates minimal in new aquarium set-ups. It does significantly help to lessen the chances of any lethal ammonia spikes. In established biologically mature aquariums more fish and more food is naturally dealt with by beneficial bacteria, such as the species found in Nutrafin Cycle. When it comes to feeding fish, the key to healthy specimens and a clean healthy aquarium is regular small feedings of food for most fish (there are exceptions). Up to 3 or 4 feedings a day are allowable. The key is to ensure there is no left over food and that all of it is consumed within a minute or two.

Biological Supplementation
Nutrafin Cycle contains a highly responsive and adaptive consortium of nitrifying bacteria that will ensure that properly set up new aquariums will not suffer fish loss as a consequence of lethal accumulations of ammonia. As effective as Nutrafin Cycle is, it is still recommended to verify using a Nutrafin Ammonia Test Kit to ensure that ammonia levels are zero as they should be most of the time.

Nutrafin Waste Control contains heterotrophic species of bacteriathat break down organic waste and help to prevent any accumulations. Should any significant quantities of organic waste be present the simultaneous addition of Nutrafin Cycle will ensure the by-production of ammonia is effectively metabolized. Cleaner aquariums free of organics are healthier environments for fish, regular additions of Nutrafin Cycle are highly beneficial to establishing a lower organic load.



Ammonia Relationship
This is another critical test that can involve immediate loss of fish. The pH level dictates the percentage of two forms of ammonia that can be present at the same time within an aquarium. The gaseous form of ammonia is the toxic form, NH3, the higher the pH value above neutral (7) the greater the toxic component. This is one major reason why the pH of replacement water should be measured prior to water changes in any aquariums that contain ammonia. A pH rise in an aquarium containing ammonia can be lethal to fish.

Logarithmic Scale
The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning a pH change of 1 unit is actually a 10 fold increase or decrease. Many fish are sensitive to pH changes and it is highly important to effect any changes gradually (not more than 0.5 per 24hours). This is truly an essential test kit.

Fish & Plant Condition
The pH value is a major factor in plant growth and health and equally important to fish condition and colouration. There is a serious visual difference in the comportment and colour of most fish when they are kept within suggested pH ranges.