AquaTru® High Range Nitrate Test Kit
0.0 - 175.00 mg/L (ppm)-Fresh Water · Product
Code 35930
KPD-47
GENERAL INFORMATION
Nitrate is the relatively stable end product of the oxidation of nitrite
by nitrifying bacteria. Like ammonia and nitrite, nitrate is one of the
intermediate compounds formed during the nitrogen cycle. However, nitrate
is much less toxic than nitrite and unionized ammonia: In nature it is recycled
by plants and bacteria to organic nitrogen which is utilized by animals
for food. In an aquarium situation, this cycle occurs, but to a lesser degree
than in nature since aquarium animals receive most of their food from an
outside source. Algae, plants, and bacteria in an aquarium do use nitrates
as food but perpetuation of the cycle only occurs when fish consume these
as food. When the nitrates are not utilized to a significant degree, they
become concentrated in the water, this can affect the growth and overall
health of fishes and invertebrates.
Kordon's High Range Nitrate Test Kit provides an easy, accurate means of monitoring nitrate concentrations in water for most freshwater fishes. Rising nitrate concentration is one useful indication of decreasing water quality which can affect the growth and overall health of affected fishes and invertebrates. For this reason the level of nitrates should be monitored in aquariums and ponds (with appropriate water changes made when needed). Although tolerances to nitrate toxicity vary greatly (some species can tolerate an indication of 300-400 ppm or more) the concentration should be kept well below 100 ppm: 35-70 mg/L nitrate would be better for most freshwater fishes. Saltwater fish and invertebrates should be kept in water with no more than 20 mg/L nitrate; Kordon's Low Range Nitrate Test Kit is ideal for this application due to greater accuracy with lower concentrations.
AQUA-TRU ADVANTAGES
1) Fast and Accurate Readings of a Wide Range of Nitrate Levels. Suited
for use when dealing with fish and invertebrates (especially freshwater
animals) which are not sensitive to low levels of nitrates.
4) Highly stable powdered reagents. Sealed in foil pillows and dated to
insure freshness.
3) Easy-to-Use Kit: simple step-by-step instructions and explanations.
4) Practical Expression of Nitrate Concentration: readings of nitrate are
expressed both as nitrate ion and as nitrate nitrogen.
CHEMISTRY OF COLOR REACTION
The reagents in the High Range Nitrate Kit form an amber colored complex
in a two-step reaction sequence. The High Range Nitrate Reagent chemically
converts available nitrate to nitrite with cadmium. An intermediate compound
(called a diazonium salt) then forms by reacting with an acid. The colored
compound is then formed when the diazonium salt reacts with another acid
in the reagent mixture. The concentration of the nitrate in solution is
proportional to the amount of the amber compound that is formed.
INTERFERENCES
Since the nitrate in solution is converted to nitrite before the color compound
is formed, any nitrite in solution will increase the apparent nitrate concentration.
This should be of little concern in a well conditioned aquarium or pond
since nitrite concentrations will be very low with respect to nitrate levels.
However, when conditioning an aquarium, nitrite levels may be significant
when compared to nitrate levels. In any such case, the nitrite test should
be done in addition to the nitrate test for accurate readings. The nitrite
reading (mg/L NO2) reading should be subracted from
the nitrate mg/L NO3) reading to yield an accurate
nitrate concentration.
Chloride will also interfere with the test; compensation for this interference has been made in the conversion factor given. The High Range Nitrate Kit calibrations are for freshwater readings, as opposed to the Low Range Nitrate Kit which is calibrated for saltwater use. To convert the High Range Kit readings to saltwater values, multiply by 2.
GUIDELINES FOR ACCURATE TEST RESULTS
1) Rinse the color cube 2-3 times before collecting samples so that residual
chemicals from previous tests do not interfere with results. It is suggested
that tap water be used for the initial rinse so chemicals do not get into
the water being sampled when the cube is dipped. Water being sampled should
be used for final rinsings so that the residual rinse water won't affect
the readings. Discard the rinse water each time so that residual chemicals
are not poured into the aquarium or pond.
2) When collecting water samples, take care to obtain a representative sample.
For example, collection near the bottom where organic compounds have accumulated
can result in a higher reading. To check sampling techniques, two samples
can be taken and tested; any variation in the results indicates that more
care should be exercised when collecting samples. A recommended method is
to (a) submerge the rinsed, capped cube to midwater, (b) open the cube and
allow to fill, (c) cap while still submerged, and (d) drain water to correct
level (discard excess).
3) Test the water sample immediately after collection. Time that elapses
between water collection and analysis can affect test results.
4) When matching the test solution to the color comparator, use white paper
as a background and read into normal daylight or incandescent light sources.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
1) Following the "Guidelines for Accurate Tests Results", obtain
a representative water sample for testing.
2) Open one HR Nitrate Reagent Powder Pillow, add the contents to the water
sample. Cap the cube and mix by shaking for one minute. The residual metal
in the test solution is excess cadmium and should be disregarded; its presence
does not affect test results.
3) Determine the nitrate concentration by matching the solution to the closest
color on the comparator. After use, discard the contents of the cube and
rinse with tap water. Do not return any water to the aquarium or pond.
4) The reading given is for freshwater applications only. To convert to
saltwater readings, multiply the comparator reading by 2.
5) Although tolerances to nitrates vary greatly among species, most freshwater
aquariums should be kept below 70 mg/L nitrate. If concentrations of nitrates
approach or exceed this level, partial water changes should be made to lower
these levels.
CAUTIONS
This kit contains potentially harmful chemicals that can be dangerous if
misused. Read label cautions carefully and exercise extreme care during
handling, use and disposal of these chemicals. First aid instructions are
available on the reagent bag label. This kit should not be used by children
except under adult supervision. Following use, always clean hands, test
apparatus and test area well.
REAGENT AND COLOR STANDARD STABILITY
The reagents should be used before the expiration date shown on the package.
If the reagents are to be used after the expiration date they should be
checked with an accurate standard solution to insure the reliability of
the reagents. The color comparator strip should not be exposed to strong
light sources for an extended length of time to prevent fading of the colors.
The reagents should be stored in a cool place.
PACKAGING
Item Number |
Product Description |
| 35930 | High Range Nitrate Test Kit. |
| 35730 | High Range Nitrate Reagent- 10 ea. per pack |
| 34412 | High Range Nitrate Reagent- 50 ea. per pack |
Item No. 35930 High Range Nitrate Test Kit.
Item No. 35730 High Range Nitrate Reagent- 10 ea. per pack
Item No. 34412 High Range Nitrate Reagent- 50 ea. per pack
ORGANIC NITROGEN CONVERSIONS
A lot of confusion exists with regard to the expression of organic nitrogen
(ammonia, nitrite and nitrate) concentrations. When dealing with organic
nitrogen in aquarium or pond systems it is essential that one knows whether
the concentration readings are expressed as ion concentration or as nitrogen
concentration. Many commercial test kits do not explain how the organic
nitrogen concentration is expressed. This can lead to serious, even lethal,
miscalculations of organic nitrogen concentrations. Nitrate concentrations
in Kordon's Nitrate Kits are in units of nitrate ion and nitrate nitrogen
(see explanation below). The ion concentration is in bold type, this is
advantageous since toxicity concentrations are usually expressed as ion
concentration. This eliminates the need for conversion of nitrate nitrogen
to nitrate ion before comparison to toxicity charts. Concentrations expressed
as nitrogen are more appropriate for organics in natural waters or in certain
aquaculture applications.
Nitrate nitrogen (N) is that nitrogen present in water that is from nitrate
ions in the solution. To convert nitrate ion readings to nitrate nitrogen
values, divide the nitrate ion reading by 4.4; a nitrate ion concentration
of 8.8 ppm = 2.0 ppm nitrate nitrogen
(8.8 divided by 4.4). The conversion factor of 4.4 is based upon weight
proportions of the nitrogen and oxygen in nitrate (4.4 grams of nitrate
contain one gram of nitrogen).
The calculation of the conversion factor is as follows:
Nitrogen atomic weight: 14.01
Oxygen atomic weight: 16.00
Molecular weight NO3 (nitrate): (M.W. nitrogen) + (3)
(M.W. oxygen) = (14.01) + (3) (16.00) = 62.01
Nitrate nitrogen (i.e., the nitrogen from nitrate ion only) = 14.01divided
by 62.01 = 0.2259
Therefore, to convert nitrate nitrogen to nitrate ion concentration, multiply
by 0.2259, which is the same as 1 divided by 0.2259 = 4.43 ~ 4.4.
Conversely, to convert nitrate nitrogen to nitrate ion concentration, multiply
by the same factor of 4.4.
From this, one can see that without the knowledge of how a nitrate concentration
is expressed, a 4.4-fold error can result.
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