Tropic Marin NO2/NO3 test PROFESSIONAL

Nitrite/nitrate test professional

Product description:

To high-precision Determination of nitrite and nitrate concentration

Nitrate ions (NO ₃ ^– ) are formed as the end product of nitrification from ammonium (NH ₄ ⁺ ). In the first stage of this bacterial process, nitrite (NO ₂ ^– ) is formed, which is highly toxic, especially to freshwater animals. If nitrification is functioning properly, the nitrite is converted to the relatively nontoxic nitrate in the second stage. Elevated nitrite levels above 0.05 mg/l occur primarily in tanks during the initial phase or in tanks with nitrate filters.

Nitrates affect aquarium water quality: In saltwater aquariums, elevated nitrate concentrations disrupt the growth of sensitive corals. A danger of high nitrate levels for all aquariums is that they can promote excessive algae growth. Some reef aquariums create extremely nutrient-poor conditions, which can lead to nitrate deficiencies. Therefore, the nitrate concentration in the aquarium water should be checked regularly. Nitrate levels below 50 mg/l are recommended for freshwater aquariums, while concentrations in saltwater should not exceed 20 mg/l. When caring for stony corals, nitrate levels below 10 mg/l should be aimed for. The lower limits for nitrate depend on the general conditions in the aquarium.

With the high-resolution Tropic Marin ^® Nitrite/Nitrate Test Professional The nitrite concentration can be determined with a particularly high accuracy in the low concentration range between 0 and 1 mg/l and a nitrate concentration between 0 and 20 mg/l.

The advantages at a glance:

• Measuring range: NO ₂ 0 - 1.0 mg/l
• Measuring range: NO ₃ 0 - 20 mg/l
• Resolution (accuracy): NO ₂ 0.01 mg/l
• Resolution (accuracy): NO ₃ 0.05 mg/l
• to determine the nitrite/nitrate concentration in the aquarium
• with comparator for optimal color comparison
• including standard for checking the test for function and durability
• sufficient for approx. 50 applications

Recommended use:

Nitrite determination:

1. The bottles Shake before use!
2. Rinse the glass cuvette with tap water and then several times with aquarium water.
3. Using the dosing syringe, 15 ml Aquarium water in the Fill the glass cuvette and place it in the comparator, which serves as a cuvette stand.
4. Attach the syringe tip to the 1 ml dosing syringe, add 1 ml of test reagent A, close the glass cuvette with the stopper, shake the solution briefly and return it to the comparator.
5. Then add 4 drops of test reagent C, close the glass cuvette again, shake briefly and place it back in the comparator.
6. After 3 minutes of development time, place the glass cuvette in the comparator over the white circles of the nitrite color chart so that the second free opening of the comparator (without the cuvette) is below the color chart (not on the color patches) and the narrow end of the comparator faces the color patches. Now, compare the color of the water sample in daylight with the opposite color patches. To do this, look into the opened cuvette from above. Move the sample on the color chart until the cuvette and the color patch above it show the same color.
7. Read the measured nitrite value under the corresponding color field. If the colors do not match exactly, an intermediate value must be derived.

Nitrate determination:

1. The bottles Shake before use!
2. Rinse the glass cuvette with tap water and then several times with aquarium water.
3. Using the dosing syringe, 15 ml Aquarium water in the Fill the glass cuvette and place it in the comparator, which serves as a cuvette stand.
4. Attach the syringe tip to the 1 ml dosing syringe, draw up 1 ml of test reagent A, and add it to the water sample. Close the glass cuvette with the stopper, shake the sample briefly, and return it to the comparator.
5. Shake the bottle containing Test Reagent B vigorously horizontally for approximately 30 seconds (the reagent must be shaken well). Then add 10 drops of Test Reagent B to the aquarium sample, reseal the cuvette, shake briefly, and return it to the comparator.
6. After 3 minutes of development time, add 4 drops of test reagent C, close the glass cuvette again, shake briefly and return it to the comparator.
7. After another 3 minutes of development time, place the comparator on the white circles of the nitrate color chart so that the second free opening of the comparator (without the cuvette) is below the color chart (not on the color patches) and the narrow end of the comparator faces the color patches. Look into the opened cuvette from above and compare it with the opposite color patches in daylight. Move the sample on the color chart until the cuvette and the color patch above it show the same color.
8. Read the measured nitrate value under the corresponding color field. If the colors do not match exactly, an intermediate value must be derived.
9. After the measurement, rinse the glass cuvette, syringe and syringe tip thoroughly with tap water.

A notice:

Nitrite concentrations influence nitrate measurements, so the nitrite concentration should also be measured before performing the nitrate measurement and the nitrate results should be adjusted if necessary according to the table below. High nitrite levels occur primarily in aquariums during the running-in phase or in tanks with nitrate filters.

Application of the “standard” to verify the test

The shelf life of the reagents depends, among other things, on the storage conditions. If the test is not functioning properly, it will no longer show color development, even at higher nitrate levels. To check the reliability of the test if the result is below 1 mg/l, add five drops of the "Standard" reference solution to a new sample. If a pink color change (2 mg/l) occurs when the test is repeated, the reliability of the reagents is guaranteed.

Measures

If the nitrite and/or nitrate concentration in the water is too high, we recommend:

• checking and, if necessary, reducing the amount of feed or enriching the feed with LIPOVIT/LIPO-GARLIC;
• a review and possible regulation of stocking density;
• the use of Tropic Marin® NP-BACTO-BALANCE and/or NP-BACTO-PELLETS to reduce the nutrient level in the medium term;
• regular partial water changes.

Safety instructions

DANGER

Solution A: Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye irritation. IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.

Solutions B and C: Highly flammable liquid and vapor. Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. No smoking.

Keep out of reach of children.