AmQuel ® - How It Works

Kordon(R) AmQuel(R) was the first product developed back in the early 1980s, over 20 years ago, for controlling ammonia, chlorines and chloramines in aquariums and ponds. Before AmQuel came along, aquarists and pond keepers had to use fairly complicated methods for controlling ammonia in fresh water, and its control in salt water remained a problem. 

Meanwhile, major improvements in AmQuel's formula and technology have been made, so that now in Kordon AmQuel(R) Plus far more is provided in controlling chlorines, chloramines, ammonia/ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, toxic pheromones, and all other toxic nitrogen compounds that can be a problem to fishes and aquatic invertebrates in fresh and salt water. 

Therefore, while AmQuel is still provided by Novalek, Inc., through its Kordon division (as a liquid water conditioner) and AquaVet division (as a concentrated powder),  the Kordon AmQuel Plus is by far the more useful product in aquarium and pond keeping.   AmQuel Plus is presently available to aquarists and pond keepers as a liquid water conditioner (same dilution as before for aquarium keeping, and a liquid concentrate for pond keeping), and as a concentrated powder for professional use by the AquaVet division. 

At this time, while the patent coverage for AmQuel Plus and its substantially different formula is being completed, its chemical composition is confidential.  However, the ingredients and formula for the original Amquel formula are provided and are as follows:

The active ingredient in the original AmQuel formula is known chemically as sodium hydroxymethanesulfonate, HOCH 2 SO 3 Na. The active part of the molecule can be graphically represented as:

The hydroxymethane- end of the molecule reacts with ammonia to form a non-toxic, stable water-soluble substance which is acted upon by the bacteria in biological filtration.

This reaction effectively removes the toxic ammonia from solution. Even in water of low pH (<7.0) the above reaction proceeds to completion. This is because even at pHs below 7.0 there is always some "free" ammonia (NH3) and the AmQuel will scavenge it from the water. This is why AmQuel works faster at higher pH's and in saline waters.

The substance formed is stable, and testing has shown that even in an aquarium or pond without a biological filter, the ammonia is not released back into the water. Also, unreacted AmQuel is stable, and unless removed with water changes or granular activated carbon, it will be available to react with ammonia until it is exhausted in the water to which it was added. This is why AmQuel has proven so useful in shipping fishes. Excess AmQuel can be added to the water to act at a later date without adverse effects on the fish or invertebrates.

The -sulfonate end of the AmQuel molecule reacts with both free-available chlorine, known properly as hypochlorites (OCl-) and combined-available chlorine (chloramines). In the first instance nothing more than harmless chloride ions (Cl- ) are produced, and in the latter instance chloride ions are formed and the freed ammonia instantly reacts with the hydroxy-methane end of the molecule.

For additional information on the Kordon AmQuel products, click here


Original U.S. and foreign patents for AmQuel, now superceded by what has been developed for AmQuel Plus:
U.S. Patent No. 4666610 - European Patent No. 0203741 - Canadian Patent No. 1300286 - Japanese Patent No. 1850992

© 2006, Novalek, Inc.