Nitrite ions (NO 2 – ) and nitrate ions (NO 3 – ) result from the process of nitrification from ammonium (NH 4 + ). The first partial steps of the bacterial process generate nitrite which is extremely harmful to freshwater animals. When nitrification works well, nitrite turns into nitrate in a second step. In saltwater aquaria, too high concentrations of nitrate interfere with the growth of fragile corals. In all aquariums, a high nitrate content leads to the risk of strong algae growth. On rare occasions, one may face nitrate deficiency situations. Therefore, the nitrite and nitrate concentrations of aquarium water should be checked regularly.
As a general rule, whatever the aquarium, the nitrite content should be as far as possible below 0.2 mg/l. For seawater aquariums, concentrations should not exceed 20 mg/l. For hard coral farming, nitrate levels below 10 mg/l should be targeted. For freshwater aquariums, nitrate levels of 50 mg/l are recommended. Lower nitrate thresholds depend on general aquarium conditions.
With the Tropic Marin ® Test for nitrites and nitrates, each of the nitrite and nitrate contents can be determined using a colored scale, which covers a concentration range of 0 – 2 mg/l for nitrites and 0 – 50 mg/l l for nitrates.
Advantages :
| • | Measuring range: NO 2 0 – 2.0 mg/l |
| • | Measuring range: NO 3 0.5 – 50 mg/l |
| • | Accuracy: NO 2 0.02 mg/l |
| • | Accuracy: NO 3 0.5 mg/l |
| • | For determining the concentration of nitrite and nitrate |
| • | Sufficient for about 50 applications |
How to use :
Nitrite determination:
| 1. | Before use, shake the dropper bottles well! |
| 2. | Rinse the glass bowl several times with tap water, then with aquarium water. |
| 3. | Using the dosing syringe, precisely pour 5 ml of aquarium water into the glass bowl. |
| 4. | Add 5 drops of reagent A, close the glass cuvette with the stopper and briefly shake the solution. |
| 5. | Add 2 drops of reagent C, close the glass cuvette again and briefly shake the solution. |
| 6. | After 3 minutes of development time, place the glass cuvette on the white circles of the nitrite color chart and compare with the opposite colored areas in daylight. To do this, observe from above the inside of the open bowl. Move the sample on the color chart until the cuvette and the colored area show the same color. If the colors do not match exactly, deduce an intermediate value. |
| 7. | Read the nitrite value under the corresponding colored area. |
Nitrate determination:
| 1. | Before use, shake the dropper bottles well! |
| 2. | Rinse the glass bowl several times with tap water, then with aquarium water. |
| 3. | Using the dosing syringe, precisely pour 5 ml of aquarium water into the glass bowl. |
| 4. | Add 10 drops of reagent A, close the glass cuvette with the stopper and briefly shake the solution. |
| 5. | Shake the bottle of Test Reagent B very vigorously for
approx. 30 seconds (reagent must be stirred). Then add 10 drops of reagent B, close the cuvette, shake briefly and set aside. |
| 6. | After 3 minutes of development time, add 4 drops of reagent C, close the glass cuvette again and briefly shake the solution. |
| 7. | After an additional 3 minutes of development time, open the test cuvette and place it over the white circles of the nitrate color chart and compare with the opposite colored areas in daylight. To do this, observe from above the inside of the open bowl. Move the sample on the color chart until the cuvette and the colored area show the same color. If the colors do not match exactly, deduce an intermediate value. |
| 8. | Read the nitrate value under the corresponding colored area. Correct the result if necessary. |
| 9. | After the measurement process is complete, rinse the glass cuvette and syringe thoroughly with tap water. |
Noticed
Nitrite concentrations affect the nitrate measurement. Therefore, before carrying out a nitrate measurement, the nitrite concentration should also be measured and the results should be corrected according to the table if necessary. High nitrite values primarily affect aquariums in the early stages or with nitrate filters.
