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@Yorkie.Hi @3.142craft
Thanks for your feedback.
Indeed, the Seachem website does say "This product is not recommended for use at acid pH". And, I suspect that Seachem are saying this because of the relationship between the toxic, free ammonia (NH3) and the non-toxic ammonium form (NH4). Together, we often loosely refer to this combination as 'ammonia'. I have sometimes seen it referenced as 'TAN', which is an abbreviation for 'Total Ammonia Nitrogen'. The relative proportions of NH3 and NH4 are determined by the water pH as shown below:
Sorry if all this is very familiar to you. Now, to your point. Why am I using the Seachem Ammonia Alert? If the water pH exceeds 6.7, any further increase may produce free NH3. So, in conjunction with the pH being constantly monitored, the Seachem Alert is proving to be handy. I monitor TAN using the JBL NH4 test kit.
Apologies for the long-winded answer!
Yorkie
Thanks for your reply.
It is familiar but it’s good to know we are on the same page.
My point was more to your NH4+ levels, as per my original involvement with your posts.
‘I’m interested because I have plans for a low pH setup and consequently nitrogen in the NH4+ form. I’m pondering using Najas Guadalupensis (Guppy grass) in a sump to take up the ammonium. Your discussion is a good start for me.’
I’m trying to establish whether or not your Java Fern is taking up the NH4+ and if so to what degree. I’d be interested in your TAN readings because it would guide me with making a decision. I’m thinking the fern would grow too slowly for the uptake I’d need, I’m also looking into using Pothos as another alternative. Do you have any thoughts on alternative plants?