Binding the ammonia with Amquel, or the dry version, Safe, or Cloram-X and use of the Seachem Ammonia Alert Card to indicate the presence of toxic ammonia, instead of the bound ammonium, which are both measured by the ammonia test kits. As long as there is enough binder to keep the Ammonia Alert Card in the safe area, the ammonia will not be a problem, no matter how high the test kit reads. Salt is good for preventing the uptake of the nitrites through the gills, causing brown blood disease, where the red blood cells (hemoglobin) is converted to brown blood cells (methemoglobin) which do not carry oxygen, causing asphyxiation. The amount of salt needed is about 1 pound per 100 gallons. A little extra or a little less is not a problem, as long as the amount is in that general level. That gives a measured value of 0.12%, and anything over 0.1% is good. It is highly recommended to have a salt test pen, TDS meter, to assure yourself of the amount, as water changes will reduce the amount of salt and not knowing how much is needed is potentially dangerous. There is a calculator at the top of the page that will give better numbers for the amount of salt needed, knowing the volume of the water and the differential amount of salt needed to achieve a value of 0.1 or 0.12%.
Zone 7 A/B
Keep your words sweet. You never know when you may have to eat them.
Richard