FAQ
What are ammonium and nitrate?
Ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) are ionized forms of nitrogen. Nitrate is related to ammonia in that bacteria colonies convert ammonia and ammonium to nitrite and then to nitrate. This final nitrate stage is the least toxic to water life. Ammonia has two forms - the ammonium ion, and the unionized, dissolved ammonia gas (NH3). The form depends on pH, with ammonium predominating when the pH is below 8.75, and ammonia redominating above pH 9.75. Total ammonia is the sum of ammonium and ammonia concentrations. Ammonia is very toxic to water life, ammonium is less toxic.
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