Alkalinity: The capacity of water to resist changes in pH, which is measured by the concentration of carbonates. Alkalinity is increased by the addition of carbonate buffers such as sodium carbonate.

Ammonia: And intermediate product of the nitrogen cycle that converts to the more toxic nitrite. The toxicity of ammonia depends on the temperature and pH of the water; the higher the pH and/or temperature, the more toxic the ammonia. Ammonia burns the gills and fins of fish and lowers their resistance to disease. Controlling organic wastes through the use of CrystalClear® decreases ammonia levels.

Bacteria: A class of microscopic organisms found throughout nature ranging from beneficial to pathogenic.

Buffer: A substance that contains carbonate and increases the alkalinity (carbonate concentration) of the water.

Buffering capacity: The ability of water to resist changes in pH, as measured by the CrystalClear® Test Strips. Buffering capacity is increased by adding a carbonate buffer.

Chloramine: A mixture of compounds that occur when both ammonia and chlorine are used to treat municipal water supplies. Chloramines are more stable than chlorine and the reaction time to remove chloramines is somewhat longer than for chlorine.

Chlorine: A disinfectant added to municipal water supplies to kill harmful bacteria, but toxic to fish and beneficial bacteria. Over time, chlorine thickens in the gills of fish.

Enzymes: A class of proteins that are produced by living cells, which speed up specific biochemical reactions.

Ionized Ammonia: The non-toxic form of ammonia, which is harmless except at very high levels.

Nitrification process: The circulation of nitrogen in the natural world in which organic wastes (uneaten food, wastes, decaying plants, etc.) decompose to form ammonia and similar compounds. Nitrifiying bacteria oxidize ammonia to form nitrites and then nitrates. Both ammonia and nitrites are toxic to fish, but plant growth is enhanced by the nitrates which act as fertilizer. The plants are eaten by fish and the cycle is complete.

Naturally occurring bacteria: All bacteria present in CrystalClear® are found in nature. Through decades of selecting the most active strains, CrystalClear® bacteria produce many time the level of enzymes produced by wild strains of microorganisms.

Nitrate: A relatively safe end product of organic waste degradation. It may by toxic to goldfish at very high levels suck as 500 mg/L. Nitrate is a nutrient source for algal and other plant life.

Nitrite: An intermediate product in the nitrogen cycle which Is highly toxic to fish. Even low levels, such as a light pink on the CrystalClear® test strips, should be taken seriously by the fishkeeper. Decreasing the amount of organic wastes by using CrystalClear® will decrease the amount of nitrite formed.

Nitrifier: A bacteria that oxidized ammonia to nitrate or oxidizes nitrite to nitrate.

pH: A measurement of acidity or basicity of water, with 7.0 being neutral. The pH tolerance of fish varies from species to species. Fish such as goldfish and koi generally adapt to the pH of local waters but it is important to not make rapid changes in pH. The shock of rapidly fluctuating pH can stress or even kill fish. Pond pH generally follows a daily cycle of being lowest just before dawn and highest in the afternoon due to photosynthesis and aquatic life respiration. pH increases with plant population and decreases with excessive organic matter and animal population. Low pH water can harm fish gills. High pH water can harm fins and gills and contribute to unwanted algal growth.

Un-ionized ammonia: The toxic form of ammonia. The percentage of ammonia in its un-ionized state increases as the pH and /or temperature increases.

Water soluble bag: Plastic material designed to dissolve in water.

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