CO2, low PH and Ammonia

greenaqua · 02-05-2013, 12:43 AM

I read in this forum that below PH 7, NH3(ammonia) becomes NH4 (ammonium) and NH4 is harmless to fish.

So if I add CO2 and that brings the PH down...does that still work to convert NH3 to NH4?

Darkblade48 · 02-05-2013, 01:12 AM

I wouldn't say the pH is at 7, but at acidic pH, the equilibrium is favored towards ammonium, and at higher pH, ammonia is favored.

Injecting CO2 will lower the pH, and thus ammonium will be favored.

However, I would recommend that you strive to have 0 ammonia and ammonium in your aquarium.

**Hoppy** · 02-05-2013, 01:45 AM

I think it is just the ratio of ammonium to ammonia that changes with pH, so even at low pH you still have some ammonia. Why do you have either one in your water? If it is from chloramine, just use Prime or equivalent to neutralize it.

Diana · 02-05-2013, 03:16 AM

Ditto: Best ammonia reading is zero.

Do enough water changes to get over the emergency,
add fast growing plants,
add the right species of nitrifying bacteria to boost the population.

02-05-2013, 12:43 AM	#1
greenaqua Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington DC Posts: 55	CO2, low PH and Ammonia I read in this forum that below PH 7, NH3(ammonia) becomes NH4 (ammonium) and NH4 is harmless to fish. So if I add CO2 and that brings the PH down...does that still work to convert NH3 to NH4?

02-05-2013, 01:12 AM	#2
Darkblade48 Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,053	I wouldn't say the pH is at 7, but at acidic pH, the equilibrium is favored towards ammonium, and at higher pH, ammonia is favored. Injecting CO2 will lower the pH, and thus ammonium will be favored. However, I would recommend that you strive to have 0 ammonia and ammonium in your aquarium. __________________ Anthony A Primer to Pressurized CO2 and A Primer to Planted Tanks Eheim Pimp #362 - Eheim 2213 x2, Eheim 2028, Ehein 2217, Eheim surface skimmer and Eheim autofeeder. Victor Pimp #33 - HPT272-125-350-4M

02-05-2013, 01:45 AM	#3
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (53/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,206	I think it is just the ratio of ammonium to ammonia that changes with pH, so even at low pH you still have some ammonia. Why do you have either one in your water? If it is from chloramine, just use Prime or equivalent to neutralize it. __________________ Hoppy

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02-05-2013, 03:16 AM	#4
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,013	Ditto: Best ammonia reading is zero. Do enough water changes to get over the emergency, add fast growing plants, add the right species of nitrifying bacteria to boost the population.