How often should I recharge my aquarium's ammonia chips?

Question

I use ammonia chips as part of my aquarium filter, the packaging describes how to recharge the chips so they may be used again but it does not say how often this should be done. I have no idea how long before the chips in the filter need replacing, any ideas? Thanks

Answer 1

Is there a reason why you use them? In a cycled tank there should be no ammonia, all they are doing is soaking up what the beneficial bacteria need to survive and turn it into something that isn't as deadly.

Answer 2

Ammonia chips (and other ammonia-removing products) are completely unnecessary in a fully cycled established tank where beneficial bacteria colonies already in the tank 'remove' all the ammonia for you.

Ammonia removing products are typically utlized in the first stages of tank set up (first three months), or kept on hand in the event of an emergency involving a sudden spike in ammonia levels.

However if you're intent on continuing to use the product on a ongoing basis, contact the manufacturer for detailed instructions, or list the exact product name- in your question here, there's probably some one who uses the same product and will tell you exactly how to recharge it.

Answer 3

Usually you need to "recharge" when the chip's or pellets become dark green or brown with no white left showing.
usually about once a month.

Just make sure that you rinse them well after the bleach bath and use a double dose of declorinator.

Answer 4

every 12 days should be fine.