{"product_id":"ammo-lock-freshwater-and-saltwater-aquarium-ammonia-detoxifier-1-gallon-bottle","title":"API AMMO-LOCK Aquarium Ammonia Detoxifier, 1 Gallon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAPI AMMO-LOCK Aquarium Ammonia Detoxifier\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 1-gallon freshwater and saltwater aquarium water treatment. It detoxifies ammonia, chlorine and chloramines, converting toxic ammonia into a non-toxic form that the biological filter can then process in the usual way. The 1-gallon (3.8 L) bottle is the largest AMMO-LOCK size API produces, sized for large tanks, fish rooms, breeding setups and anyone dosing regularly or keeping a bottle on hand for an ammonia emergency. This 1 gallon size is used at 5 mL per 10 gallons of aquarium water, in freshwater or saltwater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAMMO-LOCK does not remove ammonia from the water. It locks ammonia into a non-toxic form, which is why an ammonia test can still read positive after dosing — that result is expected, not a failure. It is explained in full below. Keep testing, and keep your normal water-change routine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow API AMMO-LOCK works\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI states that AMMO-LOCK “does not remove ammonia; it converts it to a non-toxic form; so, even though ammonia is in a safe, non-toxic form, aquarium will still test positive for ammonia until it is removed by the biological filter.” The non-toxic ammonia is then removed by the biological filter, or aquarium cycle, in the usual way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe same dose also acts on tap-water contaminants: AMMO-LOCK detoxifies ammonia, chlorine and chloramines, which makes it usable both as an emergency response to an ammonia reading and as a treatment for water added during a change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree things AMMO-LOCK is \u003cem\u003enot\u003c\/em\u003e, so the product is used the way API intends:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot an ammonia remover.\u003c\/strong\u003e The ammonia stays in the water in a converted form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot a replacement for the biological filter.\u003c\/strong\u003e The filter is what actually clears the ammonia; AMMO-LOCK protects fish while it does.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot a replacement for water changes.\u003c\/strong\u003e API still recommends a 25% water change after dosing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy can an ammonia test still read positive after AMMO-LOCK?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the single most common question about the product, and the answer is straightforward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy it happens:\u003c\/strong\u003e a standard aquarium ammonia test kit measures the total amount of ammonia in the water. AMMO-LOCK changes the \u003cem\u003eform\u003c\/em\u003e of that ammonia, not the amount of it. The ammonia is still in the tank, so the test still finds it and reports it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat it means:\u003c\/strong\u003e in API's own words, the “aquarium will still test positive for ammonia until it is removed by the biological filter.” A positive reading after dosing is the expected result. It is not evidence that the bottle failed, that the dose was too small, or that the test kit is faulty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat API says to do next:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContinue dosing 5 mL per 10 gallons every 2 days until ammonia is not detected.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerform a 25% water change after dosing — API recommends this in addition to the treatment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf ammonia is still present after 7 days, perform a partial water change, service your filter, and reduce feeding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reading comes down when the biological filter processes the ammonia and water changes export the rest — not when the detoxifier is dosed. If you are working through a reading right now, our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/magazine\/high-ammonia-in-aquarium-what-to-do\"\u003estep-by-step guide to high ammonia in an aquarium\u003c\/a\u003e covers the full order of operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAPI AMMO-LOCK dosage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirections from the API label, quoted in full:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Use dosing cap bottle. Add 5 ml per 10 gallons (38 L) of aquarium water. Add every 2 days until ammonia is not detected. If, after 7 days, ammonia is still present, perform a partial water change, service your filter, and reduce feeding.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align:left;padding:8px;border-bottom:2px solid #ddd;\"\u003eAquarium volume\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align:left;padding:8px;border-bottom:2px solid #ddd;\"\u003eAMMO-LOCK dose\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e10 US gallons (38 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e5 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e20 US gallons (76 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e10 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e40 US gallons (151 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e20 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e55 US gallons (208 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e27.5 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e75 US gallons (284 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e37.5 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e125 US gallons (473 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e62.5 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e200 US gallons (757 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e100 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDoses above are the API label rate of 5 mL per 10 gallons applied to common tank sizes. Always follow the directions printed on your bottle.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 25% water change is still recommended after dosing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to use API AMMO-LOCK\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTest the aquarium water and note the ammonia reading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeasure 5 mL of AMMO-LOCK per 10 gallons of aquarium water using the dosing cap.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd the dose to the aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRepeat every 2 days until ammonia is no longer detected.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf ammonia is still present after 7 days, perform a partial water change, service the filter and reduce feeding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFreshwater and saltwater use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAMMO-LOCK is labelled for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The dose rate is the same in either: 5 mL per 10 gallons of aquarium water, repeated every 2 days until ammonia is not detected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow AMMO-LOCK compares with Seachem Prime\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth are aquarium water treatments that detoxify ammonia rather than removing it, and both are labelled for freshwater and saltwater and handle chlorine and chloramine. The published differences are the scope of the claims (Seachem also publishes nitrite and nitrate detoxification; API's AMMO-LOCK page does not), the label dose rate, and the available bottle sizes — API publishes a 1-gallon format, Seachem's largest listed retail size is 4 L.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have set both manufacturers' published claims side by side, with a source named for every row, in our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/magazine\/api-ammo-lock-vs-seachem-prime\"\u003eneutral comparison of API AMMO-LOCK and Seachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e. No head-to-head performance testing has been published by either manufacturer, so that page compares stated specifications rather than declaring a winner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;width:38%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003eAPI\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003eAMMO-LOCK Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Ammonia Detoxifier\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e1 US gallon (3.8 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaltwater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003eLiquid water treatment, dosing cap included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTreats\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003eAmmonia, chlorine and chloramines\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDose rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e5 mL per 10 US gallons, every 2 days until ammonia is not detected\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNitrite \/ nitrate claim\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003eNot claimed by API for this product\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther sizes API produces\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz, 1 gallon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003eAPI (Mars Fishcare)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does API AMMO-LOCK do?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt detoxifies ammonia, chlorine and chloramines in freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Ammonia is converted into a non-toxic form rather than being removed from the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes API AMMO-LOCK remove ammonia from aquarium water?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. API is explicit on this point: AMMO-LOCK converts ammonia to a non-toxic form; it does not remove it from the water. Removal is done by the biological filter, supported by water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy does my ammonia test still show ammonia after using AMMO-LOCK?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the ammonia is still present, just in a non-toxic form, and a test kit measures the total amount rather than the form. In API's words, the “aquarium will still test positive for ammonia until it is removed by the biological filter.” See the dedicated section above for what to do next.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much API AMMO-LOCK should I use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdd 5 mL per 10 gallons (38 L) of aquarium water using the dosing cap, every 2 days until ammonia is not detected. The chart above applies that rate to common tank sizes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow often can API AMMO-LOCK be used?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery 2 days until ammonia is no longer detected. If ammonia is still present after 7 days, API directs you to perform a partial water change, service the filter and reduce feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan API AMMO-LOCK be used in freshwater aquariums?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. AMMO-LOCK is labelled for freshwater aquarium use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan it be used in saltwater aquariums?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The same product and the same dose rate are labelled for saltwater aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I still need to perform water changes?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. A 25% water change is still recommended after dosing, and the label directs a partial water change if ammonia persists beyond 7 days. A water change is the step that physically removes ammonia from the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan AMMO-LOCK be used with biological filtration?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — the biological filter is what finishes the job. API states the non-toxic ammonia “is then removed by the biological filter, or aquarium cycle, in the usual way.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat size aquarium is the 1-gallon bottle suitable for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny size — the dose scales with the tank, so the format is a question of how much you dose rather than how large your aquarium is. At the label rate of 5 mL per 10 gallons, one US gallon of AMMO-LOCK (about 3,785 mL) covers roughly 7,570 gallons of aquarium water in total. This figure is calculated from the label dose, not a manufacturer claim, and actual coverage depends on how many repeat doses a tank needs. In practice the 1-gallon size suits large tanks, multi-tank fish rooms, breeders and retailers rather than a single small aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy not just use Seachem Prime?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth products detoxify rather than remove ammonia, and neither manufacturer has published head-to-head testing. The differences that are documented — claim scope, dose rate and formats — are set out with sources in our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/magazine\/api-ammo-lock-vs-seachem-prime\"\u003eAMMO-LOCK vs Seachem Prime comparison\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSource for all API claims on this page: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/apifishcare.com\/product\/ammo-lock\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAPI (Mars Fishcare) official AMMO-LOCK product page and directions for use\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRelated reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/magazine\/high-ammonia-in-aquarium-what-to-do\"\u003eHigh Ammonia in an Aquarium: What to Do\u003c\/a\u003e — causes, emergency order of operations and prevention.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/magazine\/api-ammo-lock-vs-seachem-prime\"\u003eAPI AMMO-LOCK vs Seachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e — a sourced, side-by-side comparison of both manufacturers' published claims.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fish-aquatics\"\u003eFish \u0026amp; Aquatics\u003c\/a\u003e — water treatments, test kits, filters, heaters and aquarium accessories.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"API","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53464935366922,"sku":"B00026Z3ZY","price":60.43,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/9513\/8570\/files\/b65fd69f7c92330d8e3469694e35595a.jpg?v=1785695148","url":"https:\/\/www.zavyro.com\/products\/ammo-lock-freshwater-and-saltwater-aquarium-ammonia-detoxifier-1-gallon-bottle","provider":"ZAVYRO","version":"1.0","type":"link"}