Ammonia Dose Calculator
Step 1: Select Ammonia Source
Step 2: Product Strength
Step 2: Method & Form
🔬 The "2.56" Conversion
Most hobbyist test kits measure Total Ammonia (TA). However, professional cycling guides use the Nitrogen Scale (Ammonia-N). When you dose to 2.0 ppm using this calculator, your API or Salifert kit will actually show 2.56 ppm. This is normal and correct!
🧪 Why Ammonium Chloride?
Using pure NH₄Cl removes the guesswork found in household ammonia, which often contains perfumes, surfactants, or unknown concentrations. It provides a stable, laboratory-grade source of Nitrogen that won't degrade in the bottle over time.
📊 Understanding Ion Scales
In your aquarium water, Total Ammonia is a combination of NH₃ (toxic gas) and NH₄ (non-toxic ammonium). At standard aquarium pH (7.0 - 8.2), the vast majority of your test kit reading is actually the ammonium form.
📚 Technical Resources
For high-precision chemical conversion, we recommend referencing the Nitrogen/Ion Conversion Chart and the Fritz Ammonium Chloride MSDS.