Warnings:
Hazard statements H290 H314
Safety instructions P102 P301+330+331P303+361+353 P305+351+338
Phosphate test
Product description:
To determine the phosphate concentration
Phosphates ( PO4 3– ) are important nutrients for all plants and essential for the energy metabolism of every living cell. Phosphates enter aquarium water through food and the decomposition of organic matter. However, an uncontrolled increase in phosphate levels creates problems, such as excessive algae growth. Additionally, phosphates in saltwater aquariums can severely impede the excretion of calcium carbonate needed to build the calcareous skeleton of stony corals, thus significantly hindering their growth. On the other hand, with high plant or coral populations and low fish populations, phosphate can also become a deficiency element that must be supplemented.
In natural seawater, the phosphate content is approximately 0.06 mg/l. However, this value is significantly lower in coral reef areas, where concentrations between 0.01 and 0.02 mg/l are found. Corresponding values should be aimed for in saltwater aquariums, depending on the specific stock. For freshwater aquariums, a phosphate level of up to 0.4 mg/l is appropriate, although 1 mg/l should not be exceeded. A concentration of 0.02 mg/l is considered sufficient to provide nutrients to aquatic plants. The phosphate concentration in the aquarium water should therefore be checked regularly.
With the Tropic Marin ® PO 4 test can accurately determine the phosphate concentration using a color scale in the range of 0.03 to 3 mg/l.
The advantages at a glance:
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Measuring range: 0.03 - 3.0 mg/l
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Resolution (accuracy): 0.05 mg/l
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to determine the phosphate concentration in the aquarium
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with comparator for optimal color comparison
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sufficient for approx. 50 applications
Recommended use:
- Shake the dropper bottles before use! Assemble and prepare the comparator.
- Rinse both glass cuvettes with tap water and then several times with aquarium water.
- Using the dosing syringe, fill each glass vial with exactly 5 ml of aquarium water. Set one of the two water samples aside as a reference.
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10 drops (for seawater) or 12 drops (for freshwater) Add test reagent A to the test cuvette, close the glass cuvette with the stopper and shake the sample briefly.
- Then add 4 drops of test reagent B, close the glass cuvette again and shake briefly.
- After 2 minutes of development time, place the opened test cuvette and the reference cuvette containing the water sample into the comparator. Place the comparator on the color chart so that the reference cuvette is on a colored field and the test cuvette is on a white field.
- Now compare the opposite fields. To do this, look into the opened cuvettes from above. Move the comparator on the color chart until both cuvettes show the same color.
- Read the measured phosphate value under the corresponding color field. If the colors do not exactly match, an intermediate value must be derived.
- After the measurement, rinse the glass cuvettes and syringe thoroughly with tap water.
Measures
If the phosphate concentration in the water is too high, we recommend:
- the use of highly efficient Tropic Marin® phosphate adsorbers: ELIMI-PHOS, ELIMI-PHOS Longlife or ELIMI-PHOS RAPID;
- a review and, if necessary, reduction of the stocking density and feeding quantities or enrichment of the feed with Tropic Marin® LIPOVIT / LIPO-GARLIC;
- removing detritus, dead plants and other dirt;
- promoting the growth of Caulerpas and soft corals;
- the use of Tropic Marin® PRO-CORAL ORGANIC, NP-BACTO-BALANCE, NP-BACTO-PELLETS or other products to reduce the nutrient level in the medium term.
Safety instructions
DANGER
Solution A Contains: sulfuric acid. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. DO NOT induce vomiting. IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Keep out of reach of children.
