Ammonia, Nitrate, and Nitrite Testing Kits The nitrogen cycle is a chemical process essential to all aquariums: decomposing waste releases ammonia, converted by bacteria into nitrite, then nitrate, then harmless nitrogen. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are toxic to life and there should be none (0) in your aquarium when it is fully cycled. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kits are crucial to detecting these poisons before it's too late. In case of an ammonia spike, act quickly with an ammonia binding remover.
Use ammonia, nitrite & nitrate test kits once a month in an established tank, or daily when setting up a new tank to monitor the cycling process. Test when you have sick fish, death, new fish or other big change. If you see ammonia in an established tank (without any big change), you may need more surface area for biological filtration, or to clean your filter more often.
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