JBL TESTLAB Bedienungsanleitung Seite 22

Safety notices:
Keep locked up and out of the reach of children
Do not breathe vapour
In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice
In case of accident or if you feel unwell seek medical advice immediately (show the label where
possible)
Our tip for ecologically-minded users:
All reagents for the JBL Test Sets are also available from your retailer in convenient and reason-
ably priced refill packs.
Nitrate (NO ):
3
Special features:
The JBL Nitrate Test Set NO 3 is designed for the measurement and routine control of the nitrate
content in saltwater and freshwater as well as garden ponds within the range 1-240 mg/l (ppm).
Using the compensation method developed specially by JBL, precise and reliable results can
be obtained even in moderately discoloured aquarium water, e.g. caused by peat filters and
disease treatment.
Why test?
The following applies to freshwater and saltwater as well as to garden ponds:
The process involved in the breakdown or the mineralization of organic matter in the aquarium
(feed and plant debris, fish excretions) follows the stages proteins - ammonium - nitrite - nitrate.
Certain bacteria are responsible for this process. Measuring the intermediate stages ammonium,
nitrite and nitrate allows certain conclusions about the function of the "aquarium" or "pond"
system. Normally, ammonium and nitrite should not be allowed to enrich above concentrations
of 0.2 mg/litre (ppm). If they do, the bacteria balance may be disturbed. A continuous increase
in the nitrate content of the aquarium, accompanied by a low or undetectable ammonium and
nitrite content, is characteristic of a well-functioning bacteria balance. Nitrate is the end product
of mineralization in the aquarium, and it is non-toxic to fish even in relatively high concentrations.
However, it has a detrimental effect on plant growth and on the well-being of some species of
fish. If phosphate is present in the water in addition to nitrate, levels of nitrate which are too high
promote the growth of unwanted algae. This is why the nitrate content of the water should be
kept below 50 mg/litre (ppm) in freshwater and 20 mg/l (ppm) in saltwater. In garden ponds the
nitrate level should not exceed 10 mg/l and ideally it should not be measurable. In ponds which
have not been correctly laid out, nitrates from fertiliser used on the surrounding area can often
seep into the pond.
Remedy:
Aquarium: Regular partial changes of water, filter with JBL NitratEx (for freshwater only), or
JBL BioNitratEx.
Garden pond: When laying out a pond, sufficient gravel should be used on the ground as a
substrate for plants which consume nitrates and bacteria which breakdown nitrates. Select more
nitrate-consuming plants. Plant marshy areas with nitrate-consuming plants (particularly in koi
ponds without ground-covering material).
Instructions:
1. Repeatedly rinse both test jars with the aquarium water to be tested.
2. Use the enclosed syringe to fill each of the test jars with 10 ml of sample water.
3. Add the reagents to one of the test jars as follows:
a) 2 large measuring spoonfuls (broad end of the enclosed double-ended spoon) of reagent 1;
b) 6 drops of reagent 2, seal and agitate very vigorously* for 1 minute; (powder does not dis-
solve completely: for better colour comparison, hold the test jar at an angle until the remaining
powder collects on the side);
c) allow to settle until the colouring develops fully (10 minutes).
UK