The JBL ProAqua Test NO3 Nitrate is designed for the measurement and routine control of the nitrate content in saltwater and freshwater within the range 5-120 mg/l (ppm). + for fresh- and saltwater with two different colour scales.
The JBL ProAqua Test NO3 Nitrate is designed for the measurement and routine control of the nitrate content in saltwater and freshwater within the range 5-120 mg/l (ppm).
Why test? The degradation of all organic substances (food and plant residues, fish excretions) in the aquarium and pond follows the following stages: proteins > ammonium > nitrite > nitrate. Certain bacteria are responsible for this process. By measuring the individual intermediate stages of ammonium, nitrite and nitrate, we can draw conclusions about how well the system is functioning. Normally, ammonium and nitrite should not be allowed to accumulate. If they do, the bacterial balance may be disturbed. A continuous increase in the nitrate content, accompanied by a low or undetectable ammonium and nitrite content is characteristic of a well functioning bacteria balance but indicates at the same time an insufficient balance between fish (nitrogen source) and plants (consumers). In garden ponds, this often happens in heavily populated koi ponds without a substrate or a sufficient swamp zone to work as a plant-based purification system. The entry of nitrate-containing fertilisers from the surrounding area is also possible. If phosphate is present in the water in addition to nitrate, excessively high nitrate contents promote the growth of unwanted algae. This is why the nitrate content should be kept below 30 mg/l in freshwater and 20 mg/l in marine water. In garden ponds the nitrate level should not exceed 5 mg/l and ideally it should not be measurable at all. In heavily planted aquariums with only a few small fish, the opposite can happen: Nitrate becomes a deficiency factor and needs dosed additions for the plants to thrive and grow. This is especially the case with so-called aquascaping.
The compensation method developed specially by JBL allows precise and reliable results to be obtained even in moderately discoloured aquarium water, e.g. caused by peat filters and disease treatment.
+ for approx. 50 measurements with glass cuvette
+ for fresh- and saltwater with two different colour scales
+ colour scale with 11 colours from yellow to orange-red
+ measurement range from 1.0 to 240 mg/l nitrate
+ laboratory compensation system compensates water discoloration
+ includes syringe to measure amount of water.
You can oder the complete test kit with colour chart and test accessories or only the reagents at the refill kit.