JBL COMBISET Bedienungsanleitung Seite 9

the proportion of calcium and magnesium salts represented as carbonate is described as carbonate hardness.
As a rule, the carbonate hardness is below the total hardness value. In certain exceptional cases (e.g. the East
African lakes) the carbonate hardness can be higher than the total hardness.
Most freshwater fish and plants in an aquarium thrive well at a carbonate hardness of roughly between 3 and 15°d.
For successful CO fertilization, the carbonate hardness should not fall below 4 to 5°d. For optimized pH buffering
2
action in saltwater, a carbonate hardness around 7-10°d ought to be maintained.
In the garden pond the carbonate hardness plays a vital role as a stabilizer for the pH level. Algae (thread and
floating algae) in particular "consume" carbonate hardness by rapid assimilation (biogenic decalcification), driving
the pH up to levels which are dangerous for fish (above 10° d). Carbonate hardness levels of at least 4° d should
therefore be maintained in garden ponds.
What to do in the event of unfavourable values
There are various methods for reducing water hardness (e.g. by using a reverse osmosis unit such as the JBL
Osmose 120). Ask your pet shop specialist for details. Use JBL AquaDur Plus or JBL pH-Plus to increase the
carbonate hardness in freshwater aquariums. Use JBL CalciuMarin in marine aquariums.
In garden ponds the carbonate hardness can be increased by the addition of JBL StabiloPond KH.
Instructions
1. Repeatedly rinse the measuring vessel with the water to be tested.
2. Fill the measuring vessel with the water to be tested up to the 5 ml mark (CAUTION: the lower line of the water
level must coincide with the marking).
3. Add reagent one drop at a time, counting the drops, and shake after each drop until the colour changes from
blue to yellow-orange.
4. One drop of reagent solution used corresponds to 1° carbonate hardness (German scale).
For more precise readings:
Fill the measuring vessel up to the 10 ml mark with the water to be tested.
One drop of reagent solution used up corresponds to 0.5° general hardness (German scale).
Note: With 10 ml sample water the colour development is less intensive for the first drops. For better readability
place the measuring vessel on a white surface.
See the table below for conversion into other common units of measurement.
Carbonate hardness
Acid binding capacity mmol/l
German degree °d
French degree °f
Hydrogen carbonate mg/l
Our tip for environmentally-friendly users
All reagents for JBL test sets are available from your retailer as reasonably-priced refill packs!
pH Test Set 3.0 – 10.0
Features
The JBL pH test set 3.0-10 is an easy-to-use, quick test for general guidance and control of the pH level in
freshwater and saltwater and in the garden pond, covering the wide pH-range 3.0 to 10.
Why test the pH level?
The well-being of fish, invertebrates and the growth of aquatic plants depend to a large extent on the pH level
being kept as constant as possible. Many substances dissolved in water are also liable to changes caused by the
pH level. Fluctuations in the pH level, in particular, ought to be avoided. The pH level most conducive for keeping
the majority of freshwater fish and plants is in the neutral range around 7. A pH level of around 7.9 -8.5 should be
maintained in marine aquariums. Levels of 7.5 - 8.5 are ideal for garden ponds.
For precise measurements of the pH level in the range of 6.0 to 7.6, the range which is important for freshwater
Acid binding capacity
mmol/l
-
0.36
0.20
0.016
9
German French
degree °d degree °f
2.78 4.94
- 1.78
0.56 -
0.046 0.08
UK
Hydrogen
carbonate mg/l
61.0
21.8
12.3
-