{"product_id":"red-sea-marine-care-test-kit","title":"Red Sea Marine Care Test Kit","description":"\u003ch2\u003eRed Sea Marine Care Test Kit\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRed Sea Marine Care Test Kit\u003c\/strong\u003e is a five-parameter saltwater test kit for monitoring pH, alkalinity (Alk), ammonia (NH4), nitrite (NO2) and nitrate (NO3) in marine and reef aquariums. It brings the main tests a marine aquarist needs into one box, so you can keep a close eye on water conditions for your fish, corals and invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonitors nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, pH and alkalinity, the key parameters for keeping a healthy marine aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupplies the main test kits together in one handy box instead of having to collect them separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSimple instructions and colour charts make the tests easy to follow and read.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuits the biological maturation period of a new marine or reef aquarium, as well as ongoing maintenance in any saltwater aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAimed specifically at marine fish keepers and reef aquarium owners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHelps you spot problems early, such as falling buffer capacity or rising toxic ammonia, so you can keep the water in top condition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach test comes with simple instructions and a colour chart to compare your result against. The ammonia test and the nitrate\/nitrite test each use a syringe and a glass vial to run the test. Follow the instructions supplied with each test, and use the readings to track your water during cycling and for regular checks afterwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnderstanding pH and Alkalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH is a very important parameter in the biology of aquatic organisms. It measures the acidity or basicity of the water on a scale from 0 to 14, where 0 is the most acidic, 7 is neutral and 14 is the most basic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA change of 1 pH unit, for example from 7 to 6, means the water becomes 10 times more acidic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalt water can absorb a certain amount of acidic matter without a change in pH. The substances that do this are called buffers, and the ability of water to resist pH change is called buffer capacity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuffer capacity is measured as the alkalinity of seawater. In some literature alkalinity is called Carbonate Hardness or KH Carbonate Buffer. This is exactly the same measurement as the one taken in the Alkalinity Mini-Lab Test.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe pH of natural seawater varies geographically between 8.1 and 8.4 in the world's oceans, but locally it is remarkably stable. Dissolved buffers, mainly bicarbonates, prevent pH changes, and the sheer volume of the ocean gives it a nearly inexhaustible stock of them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA marine aquarium is tiny by comparison, so its alkalinity is limited too. Fish produce acid waste products, and calcareous algae and invertebrates use up the buffering substances. Buffer capacity can become so low that the pH suddenly falls, which would be very dangerous to all organisms in the aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlkalinity is measured in mil-equivalents of alkaline substances (for example sodium bicarbonate) per litre. These substances prevent pH drops. Natural seawater has approximately 2.5 mil-equivalents per litre, and this level should also be maintained in the marine aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA common symptom of an unsuitable pH is pH stress. In a marine aquarium, unsuitable pH values are very stressful to fish and make them more susceptible to disease such as marine white spot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmmonia (NH4) Test\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ammonia test includes three bottles of ammonia testing reagent, a handy syringe and a glass vial in which to run the tests. It measures total ammonia in marine aquariums. Any reading of 0.25 ppm or above of total ammonia indicates a level of toxic ammonia that will have a negative effect on fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNitrite and Nitrate (NO2\/NO3) Test\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFish produce ammonia as a waste product. Aerobic bacteria in the biological filter oxidise it first to nitrite (NO2-) and then to nitrate (NO3-). In nature there is a complete nitrogen cycle in which plants use nitrate as a food source, which keeps nitrate very low in unpolluted water. In an aquarium we create a one-way system rather than a nutrient cycle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nitrate and nitrite test lets you check these levels in your marine aquarium so the water stays right for your fish and inverts. It includes two bottles of reagent, a syringe and a glass vial, and measures total nitrate and nitrite for effective water quality management.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarine fish-only aquariums.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReef aquariums.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew saltwater set-ups going through biological maturation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoutine water-quality checks in established saltwater aquariums.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParameters tested: pH, alkalinity, ammonia (NH4), nitrite (NO2) and nitrate (NO3).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmmonia test: measures total ammonia; 0.25 ppm or above indicates toxic ammonia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNitrite\/nitrate test: measures total nitrite and nitrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResults read against colour charts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReference values: natural seawater pH 8.1 to 8.4; natural seawater alkalinity approximately 2.5 mil-equivalents per litre.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne Marine Care Test Kit covering pH, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmmonia test: three bottles of ammonia testing reagent, a syringe and a glass vial.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNitrate and nitrite test: two bottles of reagent, a syringe and a glass vial.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSimple instructions and colour charts for the tests.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich water parameters does this kit test?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nIt tests pH, alkalinity, ammonia (NH4), nitrite (NO2) and nitrate (NO3) in marine aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat ammonia reading is a concern in a saltwater tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAny reading of 0.25 ppm or above of total ammonia indicates toxic ammonia that will have a negative effect on fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat pH and alkalinity should I be aiming for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNatural seawater has a pH between 8.1 and 8.4 and an alkalinity of approximately 2.5 mil-equivalents per litre. The alkalinity level should also be maintained in the marine aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs alkalinity the same as KH?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. Alkalinity is sometimes called Carbonate Hardness or KH Carbonate Buffer, and it is exactly the same measurement as the Alkalinity Mini-Lab Test.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it while cycling a new marine aquarium?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. The tests are designed for monitoring parameters during the biological maturation period of marine and reef aquariums, and for ongoing maintenance in any saltwater aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does alkalinity matter in a reef or marine tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFish waste adds acids, and calcareous algae and invertebrates use up buffering substances. If buffer capacity gets too low, the pH can suddenly fall, which is very dangerous to all organisms in the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KOIPETCO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39286091776054,"sku":"7290100774137","price":1524.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0151\/9016\/3510\/products\/red-sea-marine-care-test-kit-ph-alk-nh4-no2-no3-aquarium-water-testing.jpg?v=1743717493","url":"https:\/\/jungleaquatics.com\/products\/red-sea-marine-care-test-kit","provider":"Jungle Aquatics Pet Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}