Fluval Nitrite Test Kit (75 tests) (A-7870)

Fluval Nitrite Test Kit (75 tests)

• Fast and accurate liquid test to measure nitrite levels in your aquarium
• Essential for optimal water conditions
• Store in a cool, dry place

Accurately measure nitrite levels in your freshwater or saltwater aquarium with the Fluval Nitrite Test Kit. Nitrite develops when beneficial bacteria break down ammonia. This becomes extremely toxic to fish when high levels of nitrite persist in the aquarium for more than a week. Test weekly. 75 tests per kit. For freshwater and saltwater.

Kit includes: 1 x NO2/NO3 (17 ml)
1 x NO2/NO3 (10 ml)
1 x Pipette
1 x Glass test tube
Instruction booklet

WHY ANALYZE NITRITE? Nitrite can create a big problem for fish when concentrations are high. Nitrite hemoglobin molecule and inhibits oxygen transport in the blood. A concentration over 0.3 mg/L is considered potentially dangerous.

WHERE DOES NITRITE COME FROM? Nitrite is generated through ammonia oxidation by nitrifying bacteria such as Nitrosomonas. Generally, high concentrations of nitrite are observed when a newly set up aquarium is going through the cycling process. Full biological establishment of a new aquarium will commonly occur in approximately one month. In saltwater environments, this time can almost be doubled. Before the biological filter is properly established, there is normally a strong rise in nitrite between 10 days and two weeks after start-up. Once the bacterial populations are strong enough, nitrite will be immediately transformed to nitrate. When the aquarium is fully established, no ammonia and nitrite should be present. A sudden spike in the nitrite usually signals a dangerous imbalance in the system. Testing on at least a weekly basis will help to spot a problem developing before it reaches a dangerous level.

HOW DOES THE TEST WORK? 1. Take a sample of the water to be tested with the pipette and use it to fill a clean test tube to the 5 mL line.

2. Add 5 drops of Reagent #1 and 5 drops of Reagent #2 to the test tube. Insert cap. Hold in place with finger and shake well to mix. Attention! Always use the cap. Avoid skin contact.

3. Wait 2 minutes for color to develop and match the test color to the closest color on the chart (No color development means 0 mg/L). For best results, hold the test tube flat against the paper and read with a light source behind you.

4. After use, rinse the tube with fresh tap water to ensure it is clean for next use.

EVALUATING THE RESULTS CYCLING OF NEW SYSTEMS - RESULTS BELOW 0.3 mg/L In start-up conditions, it is common to see high levels of nitrite. The bacterial strains responsible for nitrification (transformation of ammonia to nitrite and finally to nitrate) are not available in a new aquarium set-up. It is strongly recommended to use a Biological Aquarium Supplement in order to accelerate the bacterial growth and nitrification process.

ESTABLISHED SYSTEMS - IF THE RESULT IS CLOSE TO 0.3 mg/L This indicates a safe level of nitrite. However, you should test again 24 hours later. If the level of Nitrite is above 0.3 mg/L, then this indicates that the Nitrite level is rising, and that this is probably the result of the presence of dangerous levels of ammonia. If this is the case, we recommend that you perform an Ammonia test on your water (Fluval Ammonia Test for Fresh and Saltwater) to deal with the ammonia problem. Add a double dose of Bacterial Aquarium Supplement to ensure that adequate levels of beneficial bacteria become rapidly available.

IF THE RESULT IS ABOVE 0.3 mg/L A dangerous amount of Nitrite is present in the water. Immediately change 20% of the water. Use Tap Water Conditioner in the replacement water to reduce fish stress (patented process), remove Chlorine and Chloramine, and neutralize heavy metals. Add replacement water slowly to avoid fluctuations in other water characteristics. Add a double dose of Biological Supplement to activate and supplement the biological filter. Use of aquarium salt at recommended package instruction dosage can reduce the toxicity of nitrite.