{"product_id":"api-ammo-lock","title":"API Ammo Lock","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuys your fish time while the biological filter catches up.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI Ammo-Lock is an ammonia detoxifier for freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It converts free ammonia into a form that does not burn gills, and it neutralises chlorine and chloramine from tap water at the same time. The label dose is 5 mL per 38 litres, repeated every two days until ammonia is no longer detected. Four sizes are stocked, from a 30 mL trial bottle to 473 mL.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe part most people get wrong:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ammo-Lock does not remove ammonia. API's own label states it converts ammonia to a non-toxic form, and that the water will still test positive for ammonia until the biological filter removes it. A high reading after dosing is expected, not a failed dose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eActs on contact\u003c\/strong\u003e — the ammonia is locked into a non-toxic form as soon as it disperses, which matters when a filter has crashed at 11pm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandles tap water too\u003c\/strong\u003e — detoxifies chlorine and chloramine, so it does the conditioner's job during an emergency top-up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeaves the nitrogen cycle running\u003c\/strong\u003e — the locked ammonia is still available to the nitrifying bacteria, so the tank continues to cycle rather than stalling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1.5c to 2.6c per litre treated\u003c\/strong\u003e — cost per litre varies by size, and the bigger bottle is not always the cheapest, so it is worth checking the table below rather than assuming.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFreshwater and saltwater\u003c\/strong\u003e — one bottle for both systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour sizes\u003c\/strong\u003e — a 30 mL bottle for a quarantine tub or travel kit through to 473 mL for a fishroom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eActive constituents\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeclared on the API label\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContains 17% aliphatic amine salts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eActive ingredient recorded in the US FDA product listing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSodium thiosulfate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth figures are transcribed from the manufacturer's published documents rather than paraphrased. Checked 7 August 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDosage and directions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSituation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDose\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFrequency\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmmonia detected in a stocked tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 mL per 38 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvery 2 days until ammonia is no longer detected\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNew tank still cycling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 mL per 38 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvery 2 days while readings persist\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTreating tap water for chlorine or chloramine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 mL per 38 L of new water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAt each water change\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat each bottle covers\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDoses of 5 mL\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater treated at the label rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCost per litre treated\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e228 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.9c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e118 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e897 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.6c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e237 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e47\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1,801 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.8c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e473 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e94\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3,595 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.5c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese volumes are calculated from API's stated rate of 5 mL per 38 L. API's own 237 mL pack quotes up to 1,779 L, which is the same figure rounded down at the gallon conversion. Cost per litre is worked from current pricing and does not move in a straight line with size — the 118 mL bottle is the most expensive of the four per litre treated, not the smallest 30 mL trial bottle, so check the table before assuming bigger is always cheaper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFreshwater and saltwater aquariums showing an ammonia reading above zero\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew tanks part-way through cycling with fish already in them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuarantine and hospital tubs with no established filter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEmergency water changes where the tap supply is chloraminated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a water change. Detoxified ammonia is still in the water; dilution is still the fastest way to reduce it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePropping up a permanently overstocked or underfiltered tank. Repeat dosing week after week is treating a symptom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorrecting a nitrite or nitrate problem. It acts on ammonia, chlorine and chloramine only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReef tanks where you want certainty about invertebrates. API lists the product for freshwater and saltwater aquariums but publishes no specific coral or invertebrate statement, so on a stocked reef we would do a water change first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the cap tight and store below 38 °C. A hot car boot in a Queensland summer is outside that range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShake before use and dose into a high-flow area so it disperses quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep out of reach of children. In Australia, if it is swallowed or splashed in the eyes, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 and follow the first aid advice printed on your bottle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-ammonia-test-kit-fresh-saltwater\"\u003eAPI Ammonia Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — you cannot dose to \"until ammonia is not detected\" without testing for it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-freshwater-master-multi-test-kit-5-in-1\"\u003eAPI Freshwater Master Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — covers ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH, which is the full picture during a cycle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-quick-start\"\u003eAPI Quick Start\u003c\/a\u003e — adds the nitrifying bacteria that do the permanent job Ammo-Lock is buying time for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/api\"\u003eThe full API range\u003c\/a\u003e — conditioners, treatments and test kits built to work together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNothing here limits your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. If a bottle arrives damaged, leaking or short-dated, contact us for a replacement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFreight is standard. All four sizes are under 500 mL and ship as ordinary parcels with no dangerous goods surcharge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy does my ammonia test still read high after dosing Ammo-Lock?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause that is how the product works. API's label states Ammo-Lock does not remove ammonia — it converts it to a non-toxic form, and the water will still test positive until the biological filter processes it out. The reading tells you total ammonia is present, not that your fish are being harmed by it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes API Ammo-Lock replace a water change?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. A water change physically removes ammonia; Ammo-Lock only makes what is there less harmful. The right move during a spike is a water change first, then Ammo-Lock on the remaining volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use Ammo-Lock as my everyday water conditioner?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt detoxifies chlorine and chloramine at the same 5 mL per 38 L dose, so it will do the job. Most keepers use it as the emergency bottle and keep a dedicated conditioner with a slime coat additive for routine water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs it safe in a saltwater tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI lists Ammo-Lock for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The label makes no specific statement about corals, anemones or other invertebrates, so on a stocked reef treat that as unverified and reduce ammonia by water change instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill it stall my tank's cycle?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The locked ammonia remains available to nitrifying bacteria, which is why the water keeps testing positive. The cycle continues while the fish are protected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhich size should I buy?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 200 L tank uses about 26 mL per dose. The 118 mL bottle carries roughly four full-tank doses at that volume, the 237 mL about nine, and the 473 mL about eighteen. The 30 mL bottle suits a quarantine tub or a travel kit rather than a display tank. On cost per litre alone the 473 mL and 237 mL work out cheapest; the 118 mL is the one size that does not represent good value per litre, though it may still suit you as a smaller commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"API","offers":[{"title":"118 mL","offer_id":55244124029219,"sku":null,"price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"237 mL","offer_id":55244124061987,"sku":null,"price":33.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"473 mL","offer_id":55244124094755,"sku":null,"price":55.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 mL","offer_id":55335397392675,"sku":"BA2014","price":4.41,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/APH28_5.png?v=1772082173","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/api-ammo-lock","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}