Tropical Test NO3 50 Tests

Tropical Test NO3 50 Tests - Product Description

What is the source of nitrates (NO3-) in an aquarium?
Fish waste, uneaten food, and other organic debris that accumulates in the aquarium are broken down by bacteria, and one of the products of this process is dangerous ammonium ions (NH4+), which in alkaline water (pH>7) partially convert into ammonia (NH3), which is very toxic to fish. In a mature and well-functioning aquarium, ammonium ions are oxidized by nitrifying bacteria during the nitrification process into less toxic nitrites (NO2-) and then into nitrates (NO3-), which are relatively safe for fish. Nitrates are the end product of nitrification and do not undergo further transformation in the aquarium. Although some nitrates are absorbed by plants, their concentration in the aquarium increases steadily.

Why should nitrate concentration in an aquarium be controlled?
Nitrates (NO3-) are significantly less toxic than ammonium ions (NH4+), ammonia (NH3), and nitrites (NO2-). However, due to the systematic increase in their concentration in the aquarium, it is necessary to control the level of nitrates in the water. A concentration of 100 mg NO3-/l is considered dangerous for fish. However, even 50 mg NO3-/l can have a harmful effect on many sensitive fish species and cause massive algae growth.

Tropical Test NO3 50 Tests - Technical Data

• Quantity: 50 tests

Additional information

In a properly functioning aquarium, the nitrate concentration increases systematically as a result of the decomposition of organic residues. To prevent dangerous nitrate concentrations, regular water changes and bottom cleaning are necessary. However, there are situations when the nitrate concentration increases rapidly, which may be caused by:

Too many fish in the aquarium.
Overfeeding the fish.
Using tap water with a high nitrate concentration for water changes.
A dead fish that has not been removed.
Fertilizing aquatic plants with fertilizers that contain high concentrations of nitrogen.

Directions for use:

1. Rinse the vial three times with water from the aquarium.
2. Fill the vial with 5 ml of the test water.
3. Add 1 scoop of reagent A and mix.
4. After 1 minute, add 7 drops of reagent B and mix.
5. Add 7 drops of reagent C and mix.
6. After 10 minutes, compare the color of the water with the color scale provided. Make the reading by looking down from above in daylight.
7. After completing the analysis, rinse the vial thoroughly under running water.