Description:

Ammonia originates in the pond as result of the microbial decomposition of solid organic wastes such as the remains of feed, faeces, dead plankton, dead aquatic plants and animals. Ammonia will be released into the pond system as a result of the activity of the Urease enzyme on uric acid. In addition, ammonia is excreted directly into the water as an end product of protein metabolism by the shrimp, fish and other aquatic animals.

Ammonia assumes two chemical forms in water
1. Unionized Ammonia (NH3)
2. Ammonium ion NH4
The toxicity of ammonia is attributed to the unionized ammonia. The safe level of ammonia for shrimps is below 0.1 ppm