eaglescout316

Once chemical bonds are broken, the material you possess has different characteristics, to the point where a bacteria could very well know the difference. I don't think the question of "how does Amquel+ work" is going to be solved until someone asks the company. They may actually be willing to reveal the mechanics since the compounds are not specifically needed.

kbekl

the ph in the glass changed not in the tank and the glass only had this added

lew2000

This link list what each water conditioner does - except Amquel+

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/rev-cond.htm

All dechlorinators operate through a chemical process known as reduction. In this process, toxic dissolved chlorine gas (Cl2) is converted into non-toxic chloride ions (Cl-). The reduction process also breaks the bonds between chlorine and nitrogen atoms in the chloramine molecule (NCl3), freeing the chlorine atoms and replacing them with hydrogen (H) to create ammonia (NH3). Then Prime and others use a proprietary solution of any of these salts hydrosulfite salts to detoxify the ammonia and create ammonium - which is still usable to bacteria. Secondarily, becuase prime and others take the chloramines and end up freeing the chlorien atoms and creating extra ammonia - that is the problem with testing right away. Amquel+ has been suggested that in addition to this issue - it also removes more dye affecting tests as well. Both ammonia and ammonium register on API test as total ammonia - have to if you go below 7pH.

lew2000

Lucy,

http://www.novalek.com/kordon/amquel+/amquel+.pdf

Using Salacylate test kits (not Nesslers for ammonia) with Amquel+ and Prime
will give accurate results.

Ammonium is less harmful but still dangerous in that the higher the ammonia level studies have shown that fish are less able to release thier ammonia through respiration - not affect breakdown of food.

This link and others states the following: (this link and others now do not mention the restriction of use of API)

AmQuel+ should not be added to water containing active, therapeutic dosages of chemical dyes such as methylene blue, acriflavine, malachite green, and potassium permanganate, since AmQuel+ will interfere with their proper performance. Combining Amquel+ with these dyes will not result in toxic chemical by-products. AmQuel+ can be useful in those instances when it is desirable to terminate a treatment with a chemical dye. This is particularly useful with potassium permanganate because Amquel+ (and AmQuel) detoxifies the potassium permanganate and removes the coloring in the water instantly. AmQuel+ is compatible to use with all water quality test kits except for the ammonia test kit that uses Nessler reagents that read in shades of amber or yellow, and the oxygen test kit that uses Winkler reagents. Residual AmQuel+ and its reaction products are incompatible with the Nessler-and Winkler type reagents, resulting in false, high ammonia and low oxygen concentration readings. Ammonia test kits using salicylate-type reagents are appropriate for accurate test results. Excellent examples of high quality salicylate test kits with technical grade reagents are Kordon's AquaTru Test Kit #35970 for salt water and #35980 for fresh water (see the section on Kordon AquaTru Test Kits). Any oxygen test kit other than those using Winkler's method is compatible with AmQuel+. For further information on the effects on medications and test kits see in About Water Conditioners "Problems When Using Water Conditioners...".
TOXICITY

Craig-D

That PDF of a promotional info sheet you linked to is outdated. That was from before the patent was issued when they first came out with Amquel+. The updated and current information is on the Kordon site here:

http://www.novalek.com/kordon/amquel+/index.htm

A few paragraphs down nearer the bottom of the page under the heading Compatibility of AmQuel+ with water test kits it states the following:

Ammonia test kits using Salicylate-type reagents (reading on a colorimetric scale from yellow to green to blue green) are appropriate for accurate test results. A notable exception for what appears to be a Salicylate-type test kit that should not be used with AmQuel+ is the API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) ammonia test kit. For reasons unknown to us, it is incompatible with AmQuel+.