Application Note 05-2016 Continued at the back andharvesting macroalgae or other growing rapidly organisms. Another use is to limewater, way binding media, or foods without phosphate. excessive Ammonia all aquatic animals by and is is excreted considered them to toxic as low even as 0.2ppm. The ammonia increases in level as the pH rises.level In this instance, transfer the fishesto cleaner or the water treat with ammonia- binding product. most species survive, to the pH should of water be close pH to 8.2 of natural . raiseadjust to the There pH.ways several are To pH, crushed add , limestones, or baking sodaor perform lower pH, addaeration. To driftwood or . Remember adjust to the pH slowly drastic and as rapid, frequent pH changes could kill your species. Magnesium Magnesium is another element used corals by for growing their calcium carbonate skeletons and coralline for their calcium carbonate deposits. This Magnesium ionis abundant innatural seawater. shouldbe measured, particularly if the aquarium’s calcium and alkalinity seem levels difficultto maintain. The magnesium concentration should be close 1280ppm to of natural seawater. Phosphate High of level inhibits calcification or building-up of calcium carbonate skeletons of and coralline algae. Above 0.03 ppm, algae growthis uncontrollable. Thus,keeping the phosphate concentration below 0.03ppm will deter algae growth. maintain low of phosphate, levels applyTo exportphosphate mechanisms, growing such as C. Cold C. ,water º The best temperature water depends on the species in the aquarium. In general, tropical fishes are healthyin the– 28 range 24 of ,like enjoywater below temperature that range. Ensurea stable temperature drastic as rapid, the throughout changes temperature frequent and fishes. for stressful are day Another important note is the to factor availability fishes. to Oxygen is less solublewater in at higher temperature. pH water. It is related to the to concentration It is related of dissolvedwater. The mainsalts difference in seawater. between andfresh water salt is the water content. containsFresh water only small amount of salts. much or too littleToo salt will adversely affect the health of fishes. recommendationThe to is target the natural salinity seawater which value, is 35 ppt. this naturalcreate environment, moreadd fresh To if salinitywater is high or increase the amount of salt mixture if salinity is low. Salinity can be measured directly with a salt meter or indirectly with a conductivity The 35 meter. ppt salinity1.025) value (specific gravity of seawater = is equivalent 53 to mS/cm conductivity. system like limewater, calcium carbonate, and limewater, thesystem like two-part systems additive recommended are for routine maintenance while baking soda or washing soda is recommended for quickalkalinity correction. Salinity Salinity is the measure of all the salts dissolved in gives us the acidity or alkalinity from of water a scale The carbonate 14. of 0 to hardness and calcium affect in water level the pH The value. optimal pH also depends on the species in the aquarium. For pH,stands for power is of hydrogen, the measurementof hydrogens ionsin . a This ) can be added to 2 ) and bicarbonate 2- 3 . Like calcium, alkalinity calcium, also is Like . 3

-) anions.-) 3 deliver the results in just few seconds. few just in results the deliver create a clean and safe environment for your your for environment safe and clean a create aquatic species. The LAQUAtwin pocket and water of drops few only require meters saltwater (either natural or natural saltwater artificial (either seawater) to necessary is instruments reliable with Aquarium Water Testing Aquarium Water and such as freshwater water aquarium Testing skeletons. Balanced alkalinity and calcium additiveskeletons. 17.848 ppm CaCO 17.848 essential for the skeletons of corals. It is believed that corals take up the bicarbonate, convert itto carbonate then use that form to calcium carbonate (HCO It is expressed as either parts per million (ppm or mg/L) or One degree KH dKH (dKH). is equal to Alkalinity is hardness, carbonate called also Alkalinity, caused carbonate by (CO 360ppm it becomes or depleted in difficult water, for corals collect to calcium for their growth. In this instance, (CaCl raise the to water calcium level. Calcium is an essential element for coral health in a saltwater aquarium. It is used corals by form to their skeletons, composed primarily of calcium carbonate.When calcium drops level below Magazine, 1 and summarized are 2 and in Tables some of them explained are below. Calcium To ensure good , maintenance quality, good ensure water To (, changes,water required is on testing) and a regular basis. For testing, the saltwater parameters for aquarium, reef taken from Reefkeeping Online the formeris moreexpensive and moredifficult equipment frequent and additional as maintain to needed. is testing or freshwater saltwater. have may eitherSaltwater, natural or artificial is used seawater, in -only, fish-only with rocklive (FOWLR) reef and tanks while is used freshwater in planted, , , brackish and predator tanks. In general, Aquarium chemistry water is of vital importance theto health of fishes and otheraquatic species. Introduction Continued from the front Table 1: Critical Parameters for Water Table 2: Non-Critical Parameters for Reef Aquarium Water The LAQUAtwin pocket meters are used to Recommended Typical Ocean Reef Aquaria measure and monitor freshwater or saltwater in Parameter aquarium. The meters have flat sensors for quick, Value Value Parameter Recommended Typical Ocean Value Value direct and accurate measurement of micro volume Calcium 380 - 450 ppm 420 ppm water samples without adding any chemicals. < 2 ppm, much 7 - 11 dKH 7 dKH Silica lower if are < 0.06 – 2.7 ppm 125 – 200 ppm 125 ppm CaCO Alkalinity 3 a problem CaCO equivalents equivalents 3 Control not 0.06 ppm total of all Method 2.5 - 4 meq/L 2.5 meq/L Iodine recommended forms Salinity 34-36 ppt 35 ppt Variable (typically Calibrate the LAQUAtwin pocket meters < 0.2 ppm according to manufacturer’s instructions 24 – 28 ºC / 76 – below 0.1 ppm) Temperature Variable using the standard included in 83 ºF Variable each kit. < 0.2 ppm typically (typically below 8.0 – 8.3 7.8 – 8.5 Good 0.0001 ppm) pH (can be lower or Sample Measurement 8.1 – 8.3 Better higher in lagoons) Strontium 5 – 15 ppm 8 ppm Place a sample of aquarium water onto the Control not sensor by using a pipette or by opening Magnesium 1250 – 1350 ppm 1280 ppm ORP Variable recommended the sensor cap and scooping water Phosphate < 0.03 ppm 0.005 ppm directly from the aquarium. Alternatively, Boron < 10 ppm 4.4 ppm Variable (typically Below detection perform direct measurement by opening Ammonia < 0.1 ppm Iron 0.000006 ppm the sensor guard and immersing the < 0.1 ppm) limit sensor into the aquarium. Rinse the Source: Reefkeeping Online Magazine (http://reefkeeping.com/ Source: Reefkeeping Online Magazine (http://reefkeeping.com/ sensor with DI water and blot dry with soft issues/2004-05/rhf/) issues/2004-05/rhf/) tissue between samples. Table 3: Measurement Results Table 4: Practical Salinity of 1978 (PSS-78) Conversion Table When measuring sample, you may allow using LAQUAtwin Pocket Meters the meter to lock the stable reading by Conductivity (mS/cm) Seawater Salinity (ppt) Expected 45 29.1 pressing MEAS button. This activates the Parameter Result Error auto-hold function—MEAS will blink until Value* 46 29.8 the reading is stable and  will appear. Conductivity (EC) —— 49 mS/cm —— 47 30.5 48 31.3 Press MEAS button again to deactivate Salinity —— 32.0 ppt —— auto-hold function. Note: For pH, salt, 49 32.0 and conductivity meters, make sure to set pH 8.1 - 8.2 8.0 < 10% 50 32.7 auto-hold (AH) in the meter settings prior Calcium Ion (Ca2+) 416 ppm 380 ppm < 10% 51 33.5 52 34.2 to measurement. + Sodium Ion (Na ) 9651 ppm 9800 ppm < 10% 53 35.0 + Refer to Technical Tip nos. 1, 2 and 3 Potassium Ion (K ) 366 ppm 400 ppm < 10% 54 35.7 for detailed information on conditioning, *According to product label 55 36.4 cleaning, and storing the sensors. The technical tips can be viewed and and calibrate the meter using pH 7.00 and 10.01 in artificial seawater measurement have less than downloaded from the support section of buffers or select NIST buffer setting and calibrate 10% error. using pH 6.98 and 9.18 buffers. our website www.horiba-laqua.com. In nitrate ion measurement, chloride ion in seawater Salinity and Conductivity is one of the interfering ions. The chloride ion The Salt 11 meter is programmed with concentration in seawater is around 20,000ppm Results and Benefits (NaCl) and seawater and will affect the nitrate ion concentration. The curves. For this application, seawater curve target nitrate concentration in aquarium water is is suitable. The meter displays both salinity Table 3 shows the results of LAQUAtwin pocket less than 0.2ppm, but the B-743 meter measures and temperature readings. meters in artificial seawater measurement. nitrate in 62 to 6200 ppm range. The results were compared against the values indicated in the product label. The EC 11, 22, or 33 conductivity meters can be used to determine salinity indirectly. After obtaining the conductivity value, refer to Table References and Suggested Reading pH 1. Saltwater Versus Freshwater Aquariums by Katherine 4 to check the corresponding salinity value. Barrington http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/blog/ The pH 11, 22 or 33 meters have temperature saltwater-versus-freshwater-aquariums compensation function, but only pH33 meter Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, and 2. Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes- displays the temperature reading. For accurate Farley http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/ Nitrate Ions 3. AquariumDetective.com http://aquariumdetective. measurement, calibrate the meter with at least two The B-722 meter, B-731 meter, and B-751 meter com/articles/watertest.php pH buffers that bracket the expected sample pH. If measure the free sodium ion, potassium ion, and the expected pH is 8.0, select USA buffer setting calcium ion, respectively. All the results obtained Revision 1.0, 10 October 2016

LAQUAtwin Pocket Ion Meters Lineup

+ + – 2+ pH COND Na K NO3 Ca Salt EC Acidity and alkalinity Conductivity and TDS Sodium Ion Potassium Ion Nitrate Ion Calcium Ion Salt (NaCl)

Horiba Instruments (Singapore) Pte Ltd 83 Science Park Drive, #02-02A, IMS The Curie, Singapore 118258 HORIBA Group is operating Integrated Management System (IMS) Tel. +65 6908 9660 ISO9001 JOA-0298 / ISO14001 JOA-E-90039 / ISO13485 JOA-MD0010 / OHSAS18001 JOA-OH0068 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.horiba-laqua.com