Water testing

Total Ammonia Nitrogen (NH₃/NH₄⁺) to PPM

Drop test result * 0.0131 @ 24C, 7.4PH = unionized ammonia.

Dangerous level for fish is 0.05.

Nitrogen Cycle

1. Ammonia (NH₃): Fish produce waste, and uneaten food decays. Both of these create toxic ammonia.
2. Nitrite (NO₂): A first type of beneficial bacteria consumes this ammonia and converts it into nitrite. This is where your problem starts. While it’s a necessary step, nitrite is extremely toxic to fish.
3. Nitrate (NO₃): A second type of beneficial bacteria then consumes the nitrite and converts it into nitrate. Nitrate is far less harmful and is managed with regular water changes and live plants.

Ammonia (NH₃) and Nitrite (NO₂) are toxic to fish!