TROPIC MARIN - PO4 test - Water phosphate analysis

Phosphates (PO ₄ ^3– ) are essential nutrients for all plants and essential for the energy metabolism of all living cells. Phosphates get into aquarium water through food and decomposition processes. An uncontrolled increase in the phosphate content nevertheless poses a problem, especially with strong algae growth. In addition, in saltwater aquariums, phosphates can considerably complicate the precipitation of calcium carbonate which serves to form the calcareous skeleton of hard corals and thus compromise their growth. On the other hand, in the presence of a high plant or coral population and a low fish population, phosphate may also run out and require rebalancing.

In natural seawater, the phosphate content is around 0.06 mg/l. Near coral reefs, this value can however be much lower since the concentrations there are between 0.01 and 0.02 mg/l. In a saltwater aquarium, efforts will be made to achieve corresponding values depending on the population present. For soft water, a value of up to 0.4 mg/l should be available and should never exceed 1 mg/l. A concentration of 0.02 mg/l is already considered sufficient for the nutrient supply of aquatic plants. The phosphate concentration of the aquarium water should therefore be checked regularly.

With the Tropic Marin ^® Phosphate Test, the phosphate content can be determined using a fine colorimetric scale, covering a concentration range of 0.03 – 3 mg/l.

The advantages :

Manual :

Actions to take

If the concentration of phosphate in the water is too high, here are our recommendations:

Durability and storage6 months after start. Store in a dark and cool place.

The complete user manual in PDF format can be found here: Phosphate test