JBL Pro AQua Test SiO2 for Freshwater and Marina 50 Test
Features:
The test set JBL Siliket-Test-Set SiO2 is used to measure and control the silicate content in freshwater and marine water at regular intervals from 0.2 to >6 mg/I (ppm). By means of a compensation method, specially developed by JBL, accurate and reliable results are also obtained in slightly coloured aquarium waters, p.es. after filtration with peat or treatment of diseases. Any disturbances due to the presence of silicate in the water test are eliminated by adding reagent 2.
Why examine?
Silicon is one of the most common elements on earth. In the disintegration of the wild rocks the silicon, in the form of silicate, reaches the surface and in the ground. The tap water contains, therefore, according to the type of soil of the region, different quantities of dissolved silicate. In tap water you can find quantities up to 40 mg/I, rarely even more. Silicates are not poisonous and there are no limit values in drinking water legislation. Silicon is important in aquariaphilia as it constitutes a nutrient for diatoms, for some aquatic plants (p.es. Ceratophyllum demersum) as well as for silicospongies and for some other invertebrates. In freshly set aquariums, brown areas covering plants and decorations represent the first settlement of diatoms.
These areas disappear when the aquarium is burned and competition has been created from other algae and microorganisms. Then the amount of silicate in water is greatly reduced. Often, however, these diatoms can reappear after a change of water due to the newly added silicate, especially in marine water. Therefore it is advisable to use osmosis water when adding or changing water in seawater aquariums.
We recommend the following values:
Fresh water: around 1 mg/I; up to 2 mg/l still tolerable.
Sea water: 1 mg/I max.
Countermeasures to problems caused by a high amount of silicate:
Control of silicate content in used water.
For a partial change of water use poor silicate water ( reverse osmosis, e.g. JBL Osmose 120).
Filtration through a resin that absorbs the silicate.
Instructions for use:
Water sometimes both glass tubes with water to be examined;
Enter in each tube, by means of the attached syringe, 10 ml of water to be examined;
Add reagents into one of the two glass tubes as described below:
a) 10 drops of reagent 1, shake; leave to rest for 3 minutes; b) 10 drops of reagent 2, shake; leave to rest for 3 minutes; c) a small scoop of reagent 3, close the tube with the hood and shake until the reagent has dissolved; leave for 3 minutes
Insert both glass tubes into the comparison block: the test tube with the reagents in the smooth part of the comparison block, the test tube with the untreated water (anonymous proof) in the side with the carving.
Put the comparison block - with both glass tubes - with the intaglio facing the values shown, and move it back and forth over the colorimetric scale, until the color of the tube with the reagents corresponds as much as possible to the color under the anonymous test.
Read the silicate content from the tangle of the comparison block. Color graduation on the color scale from green to red makes it possible to quickly assess the measured value.
If you get a darker color than on the metric color scale, dilute the sample by adding distilled water or silicate-free water and repeat the measurement.
Depending on the dilution, the result is multiplied as follows to obtain the actual silicate content:
5 ml sample + 5 ml distilled water; result x 2
2 ml sample + 8 ml distilled water; result x 5
1 ml sample + 9 ml distilled water; result x 10
On the back of the colorimetric scale there is an explanation with drawing for an easy understanding
Safety warnings concerning reagent 1:
Contains sulphuric acid <10%
Provoca irritations of eyes and skin
Keep under key and out of reach of children.
In case of contact with eyes, wash immediately and abundantly with water and consult a doctor.
During work wear gloves, mask and protective clothing.
In case of accident or malaise, consult a doctor immediately (if you can show them these instructions)
Our suggestion for aquariums with respect to nature:
In specialized stores you can get all reagents for test sets JBL in cheap refill packages.
