Ammonia can be the cause of a lot of problems in water and most of the time, you might not even know it’s there. If you’ve noticed fish gasping at the surface of the water, algae blooms popping up or even a bad smell of rotten eggs around the water, ammonia could well be the culprit.
Ammonia builds up in waterbodies because of fish waste, uneaten food, decaying plants, and runoff. Once it’s there, it doesn’t take much for it to cause a lot of issues that are hard to tackle. Although there is a way…
WaterTreats Nitrifying Bacteria is one of the fastest and most effective ways to control ammonia in the water. It uses the power of concentrated, live microbes to restore balance naturally and, luckily, no chemicals are required.
What Is Ammonia and Why Is It a Problem?
Ammonia (NH₃/NH₄⁺) is a pollutant that builds up in water from sources like:
- Fish waste
- Uneaten food
- Decaying plants
- Fertiliser or agricultural runoff
Even small amounts are toxic to aquatic life and can increase algae growth, lower oxygen levels, and make water chemistry unstable.
Signs You Have an Ammonia Problem
Are you worried about your waterbody? If your waterbody is looking, and smelling, unhealthy and like a toxic environment for aquatic life, there’s a good chance that ammonia is causing it.
Here are some signs you have a problem with ammonia / red flags:
|
Sign |
What It Means |
|
Fish gasping at the surface |
Low oxygen, perhaps from the stress of ammonia |
|
Unexplained fish deaths |
Ammonia poisoning |
|
Cloudy or green water |
Algae blooms fuelled by excess levels of nitrogen |
|
Strong “rotten” smell |
Organic matter breaking down in low oxygen |
|
pH swings |
Ammonia impacts stability |
| Test kit shows NH₃/NH₄⁺ |
Direct confirmation |
If you spot any of these signs, the chances are that ammonia is the root cause. As much as these problems can be very damaging to your waterbody and the surrounding environment, the good news is there are things you can do. In the following sections, we’ll unpack what the best solution is.
What Are Nitrifying Bacteria?
Nitrifying bacteria are aerobic microbes that use nitrogen compounds for energy. They’re essential for the nitrogen cycle, converting toxic ammonia into safer forms:
- Ammonia – Nitrite (by Nitrosomonas)
- Nitrite – Nitrate (by Nitrobacter and Nitrospira)
Nitrates are far less toxic and can be absorbed by aquatic plants.
How WaterTreats Nitrifying Bacteria Works
This product is designed for freshwater environments, including:
- Ponds and lagoons
- Decorative water features
- Freshwater aquariums
- Wastewater treatment systems
Key benefits:
- Rapidly reduces ammonia and nitrite levels
- Improves oxygen balance and aquatic health
- Supports a naturally balanced ecosystem
- Chemical-free, safe for fish and plants
- Easy to apply
It works best in aerated water, with temperatures above 10 °C and pH between 6.5–8.5.
How to Know It’s Working
After applying, look for these signs:
- Falling ammonia levels (check with test kits)
- Less odour
- Clearer water
- Fish returning to normal behaviour
- Reduced algae growth over time
When to expect results:
- Lightly loaded ponds: 3 – 5 days
- Heavily loaded/stressed systems: 1 – 2 weeks
- Full cycling (ammonia → nitrate): 2 – 4 weeks depending on conditions
Best Practices for Use
- Dilute with 10–20 L of water and spread across the pond/lagoon, or near aerators/fountains.
- Starter dose: ~10 mL per 1,000 L of water (adjust based on conditions).
- Test regularly for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.
- Aerate your water – oxygen helps bacteria thrive.
- Avoid chlorine or algaecides during treatment.
- Refrigerate unused product — it contains live cultures.
Why Choose WaterTreats Nitrifying Bacteria?
| Feature | Benefit |
| High-concentration formula | Fastest way to reduce ammonia |
| Chemical-free | Safe for fish, plants, and pets |
| Supports long-term balance | Builds a healthier ecosystem naturally |
| Backed by proven microbes | Used in aquaculture, ponds, and wastewater systems |
Final Thoughts: A Natural Fix for Ammonia
Ammonia is one of the most common and harmful water pollutants, but it doesn’t have to be. WaterTreats Nitrifying Bacteria gives you a safe, natural way to reduce ammonia quickly and restore balance.
Whether you’re managing a backyard pond, a decorative fountain, or a wastewater lagoon, this treatment provides nature’s best defence against ammonia. Plus, it’s concentrated and ready to go.
Get FREE advice
If you’d like more information on nitrifying bacteria, get in touch with us today. Or, if you’re ready to start tackling your ammonia problem on your own, you can purchase Nitrifying Bacteria (1L) here.