Product: Tropic Marin - Nitrite/Nitrate-Test
Information:
What do nitrite and nitrate values mean?
Nitrite ions and nitrate ions are created from ammonia in a process known as nitrification, a product of nitrogen mineralization in the aquarium. Nitrite is s strongly toxic intermediate stage for fish and invertebrates. Its physiological effects are based on the inhibition of oxygen transport in the blood and it impedes cell breathing. Under proper conditions the ammonium ion is rapidly oxidized to the comparably non-toxic nitrate ion by nitrifying bacteria. If this bacterial oxidation process is impeded, for ex. By new filter material, this can lead to a harmful rise in the nitrite ion concentration.
Nitrate is the final stage of the nitrification and influences the life quality and comfort of fish and invertebrates less strongly. The source of nitrogen build-up in aquariums are mostly proteins from food remains, also excrement and organic decomposition products. Nitrates in low concentrations in aquariums are normally not toxic to fishes; higher concentrations can reduce the growth of sensitive corals and promote heavy undesirable algae growth.
What nitrite content is safe?
Concentrations of between 0, 02 and 0, 10 ppm nitrite are harmless in freshwater areas and are common, whereby a concentration of 0, 05 ppm shouldn't be exceeded. In seawater the nitrite content should lie below the test detection threshold; values of more than 0, 05 ppm are unacceptable.
What nitrate content is safe?
In freshwater aquaria, the optimal level is below 20 ppm. Values of up 80 ppm are however commonly held to be harmless, although the type and density of the life stock should be taken into account. Values of over 100 ppm should be avoided at all costs. In this context you should also take account of the nutritional role of nitrates for plants and the significance of an optimal redox potential. Stunted plant growth often results from high nitrate values, as the plants cannot utilize this nitrogen source in conditions of a very high redox potential.
The nitrate content shouldn�t exceed 20 ppm in seawater and should ideally lie below 10 ppm in reef aquaria.
How can you determine the nitrite and nitrate content quickly and accurately?
The Tropic Marin Nitrite/Nitrate test can be used both in fresh and seawater. The nitrite and nitrate can be determined using a finely-tuned color chart which has range of concentrations for nitrite of between 0-2 ppm and for nitrate between 1-100 ppm.
Titration tests normally work for a limited time. The shelf life of the reagents depend on various factors including storage conditions. The TROPIC MARIN Nitrite/Nitrate test gives an indication on its minimum shelf life by the stamp on the front side of the pack. When the detection of the test is no longer sufficient, no color development will be seen even at elevate nitrite levels. The reliability of the test should be tested for nitrate concentrations below 5 ppm. For this purpose, add 5 drops of reagent D to a new sample. If the test shows a pink color development then, the reliability of the reagents is still ensured.
Directions:
Nitrite determination:
- Shake the reagent bottles prior to every use.
- Rinse the glass cuvette several times with the water sample to be tested. Use the dosing syringe to inject 5 ml of the water sample into the cuvette.
- Then add 5 drops of test reagent A into the cuvette. Close the cuvette with the plastic plug and shake it briefly. Set down the cuvette.
- After 3 minutes of development time, open this cuvette and add 2 drops of test reagent C. Close the cuvette and shake briefly.
- Then open the test cuvette and place it on the nitrite color card. Look into the opened cuvette from above and move it on the color card until the cuvette and the color field above display the same color. Read off the nitrite concentration above the colored field.
Supplemental information on the Nitrite/Nitrate test:
The most accurate results for measuring nitrate are attained in tanks that don't contain nitrite. Nitrite concentrations higher than 0, 05 ppm may influence the nitrate measurement so that the nitrite concentration should also be checked prior to taking the nitrate measurement. Nitrite values higher than 0, 05 ppm mainly occur in aquaria during their start-up phase or in aquaria equipped with nitrate filters, which don't completely reduce the nitrate to N2O or to N2.
Nitrate determination:
- Shake the reagent bottles prior to every use.
- Rinse the glass cuvette several times with the water sample to be tested. Use the dosing syringe to inject 5 ml of the water sample into the cuvette.
- Then add 10 drops of test reagent A into the cuvette, mix briefly and then add a level dosing spoon of test reagent B. Close the cuvette with the plastic plug and shake it briefly .
- Now add 4 drops of test reagent C. Close the cuvette and shake briefly. Set down the cuvette. 5. After 3 minutes of development time, open the test cuvette and place it on nitrate color card. Look into the opened cuvette from above and move it on the color card until the cuvette and the color field above display the same color. Read off the nitrate concentration above the colored field.
Prevention:
If your water has a nitrite and/or nitrate concentration which is too high, we recommended:
- Check feed quantity and reduce if necessary.
- Partial water changes.
- Check the amount of livestock and reduce if necessary.
- Use of a nitrite/nitrate adsorber.
Safety advice:
Keep out of the reach of children.
Nitrite/Nitrate Test reagent A contains acetic acid. Irritating to eyes and skin. Rinse thoroughly with water after contact with skin or eyes and consult a doctor.
Nitrite/NitrateTest reagent C contains propylene glycol. Highly flammable. In the event of an accident or illness consult a physician immediately and show her/him the packaging.
Shelf life:
The reagents can be used up to 12 months after opening. |
