Product Profile by PondDoc.com
Ultimate Water Conditioner
Ammonia and Nitrite Detoxifier and
De-chlorinator
Written: March 2007
The "Ultimate" in Water Conditioning
One of our pond staples in early spring (or whenever we are seeding a new filter) is Ultimate Water Conditioner. We use it in our own ponds whenever we begin feeding our fish at the first of spring because it protects them from the deadly effects of ammonia and nitrite poisoning. When ammonia is present in pond water it will burn the gills of the koi and goldfish and, when enough is present, kill them. Nitrites cause a browning of the blood and literally poisons the fish. Ultimate is a de-chlorinator and detoxifier that will neutralize ammonia and nitrites - up to a specific parts per million - thus helping us "live" with ammonia and nitrites while the biological filter establishes good nitrifying bacteria.
There are other benefits to using Ultimate. It adds electrolytes, detoxifies heavy metals and chloramines, adds a system of pH buffering and helps reduce stress in fish. It can be used when transporting fish, whenever new fish are introduced into the pond, and in quarantine tanks. We do not recommend, however, any use of Ultimate along with other water treatments, especially with bacterial or parasitic applications. Ultimate can be used in salt water as well so people like us who have salt and freshwater aquariums and ponds can use it in all of them.
The Why and How of Ultimate
Ultimate CAN be used when bagging and transporting fish as well as in a new fish environment. Ultimate SHOULD be used whenever there is a problem with the nitrifying cycle when ammonia and nitrites are present in the pond or whenever there is a danger of ammonia and nitrites.
When the nitrifying cycle is not established in the pond environment the first harmful water condition to come along is ammonia. A simple drop test will show a degree in parts per million (ppm). Any degree of ammonia is dangerous but a reading of over .25 ppm is alarming. Not only is the ammonia burning the gills of the koi and goldfish who inhabit the pond it is breaking down their fragile immunity systems and that allows other irritants like bacteria and parasites to affect them and even kill them. In a healthy pond environment nitrosomonas, one of the "good" bacteria, will change the ammonia to nitrites. Nitrites, the second harmful water condition, is still deadly and, like ammonia, sets the fish up to easily being invaded by disease and parasites if it doesn't kill the fish itself. The other "good" bacterium, nitrobacter, must be present in the biological filter to change the nitrites to nitrates. Nitrate is basically fertilizer and, for all practical purposes, not harmful to the fish. Nitrates are absorbed by plants, thus completing the cycle. At this point the water is considered healthy.
Whenever either of the two nitrifying bacteria are missing from the environment we experience readings of either ammonia or nitrites or both. This is most often seen during early spring before the filter is able to be established for the season, on new ponds or ponds without biological filtration, and on established ponds that experience pH crashes that kill all the nitrifying bacteria. In order to establish a biological filter some ammonia and nitrites must build up to create the nitrifying bacteria. During this time is when Ultimate is the most important water treatment one can add to the pond.
Let's take the case of early spring. The winter killed off all nitrifying bacteria in the biological filter. Now the weather is nice. The water temperature is above 50 degrees and the fish are hungry. We begin feeding them M-Wheat food. We are adding ammonia to our system with the introduction of food by way of waste from the fish. It is now the time we suggest you first treat your water with Ultimate. This is also the time that is most appropriate to give the pond a thorough cleaning. Instead of using regular de-chlorinator when refilling the pond, use Ultimate.
Water Testing and Ultimate
On new ponds or ponds where the nitrifying cycle is not established test the water every other day or so (or if you notice the fish acting strangely or gasping for air) ammonia. Use PondCare or Kordon drop test kits ONLY. We know that these tests will give accurate readings when Ultimate is used. Normally ammonia would begin building up right away. When Ultimate is used, however, we are buying more time. The test will only show readings of "toxic" ammonia. In other words, when the ammonia is built up higher than Ultimate will detoxify we will know how toxic the water is in ppm. If the test shows any concentration of ammonia it is time for a water change. Do at least 50% and follow it up with the correct amount of Ultimate for the number of gallons being added back to remove the chlorine and to detoxify. Always follow the dosage information on the label of the bottle. Once ammonia readings have been detected it is time to begin testing for nitrites as well. Remember, ammonia comes first and is followed by nitrites. In fact, I would rather see BOTH ammonia and nitrite readings than readings of JUST ammonia. That means nitrosomonas bacteria is alive and working to change some of the ammonia to nitrites. The next stage in testing will show ONLY nitrites and that's even better! As with ammonia, Ultimate will detoxify the nitrites to a certain ppm. Once the amount of nitrites present in the pond exceeds this limit the nitrite tests will show a reading of "toxic" nitrites. Whenever a nitrite reading is detected perform another 50% water change and follow up with the correct dosage of Ultimate - just like with the ammonia.
Note: If the water is cold when testing for ammonia always warm the water up before adding the drops. We place the capped test tube filled with water in our armpits or wherever it can warm up quickly.
Comparatively Speaking...
We choose Ultimate instead of competitive brand Ammo-Lock 2 for two main reasons. Ammo-Lock 2 will not address nitrites. Ultimate does. Our test kits will not give us accurate readings when using Ammo-Lock 2 but will work fine when using Ultimate. Ultimate works in the same way as Amquel Plus but the regular Amquel is not exactly the same and does nothing for nitrites. Our choice of Ultimate vs Amquel Plus is simply availability. The price is about the same. We have historically experienced problems and delays with receiving supplies of Amquel Plus more than with Ultimate.
© copyright 2007, PondDoc.com. All rights reserved.
Order Ultimate HERE:
[../../Store/WaterTreatment/Dechlor/Ultimate.htm]
Ultimate is included in the Doc's Prescription Spring Start Pak. It can be ordered HERE:
[../../Store/Seasonal/DPSSPak.htm]
© copyright 1997 - 2008 by PondDoc.com. All Rights Reserved.
