Phosphate test professional for fresh and saltwater aquariums

Measuring range & accuracy

Measurement range for freshwater: 0.01 - 1.0 mg/l (ppm)

Measurement range for saltwater: 0.01 - 1.0 mg/l (ppm)

Accuracy: 0.02 mg/l (ppm)

About phosphate

Phosphates are important nutrients for all plants and are vital for the energy metabolism of every living cell. Phosphates are released into the aquarium water via food and the decomposition process of organic matter. However, an unregulated increase in the phosphate concentration creates problems, such as significant algae growth. In addition, phosphates in salt water aquariums can seriously inhibit the deposition of calcium carbonate in the skeleton formation process of hard corals and, in turn, for their growth. On the other hand, there can be a shortage of phosphate if there is a high stock of plants and / or corals and a low fish population. In this situation, phosphate will need to be added. Some reef aquariums are intentionally set up to have ultra-low nutrient conditions – phosphate shortages can occur in cases such as these.

In freshwater applications, a phosphate concentration of up to 0.4 mg/l (ppm) is suitable, however 1 mg/l (ppm) should not be exceeded. Even a concentration of 0.02 mg/l (ppm) is adequate for supplying aquatic plants with nutrients. The phosphate concentration in natural saltwater is approximately 0.06 mg/l (ppm). However, the phosphate concentration in coral reefs may be much lower, typically between 0,01 and 0.02 mg/l (ppm).

We recommend that you prevent the concentration of phosphate from rising above 0.1 mg/l (ppm) in saltwater tanks and keep the concentration between 0.01 and 0.05 mg/l (ppm) in reef aquariums. To monitor this effectively, the phosphate concentration in the aquarium water should be tested regularly.

Package contents 

• 25 ml / 0.85 fl.oz. of reagent A

• 6 ml / 0.20 fl.oz. of reagent B

• 5 ml / 0.17 fl.oz. of reference solution “standard”

• 2 glass cuvettes 20 ml

• 1 dosing syringe 20 ml

• 2 colour cards

• 1 comparator

• 1 instructions for use

Measures in the event of unfavorable values

If the phosphate concentration in the water is too high, we recommend:

• using the highly efficient Tropic Marin® phosphate adsorbents: Tropic Marin® Elimi-Phos, Tropic Marin® Elimi-Phos Longlife or Tropic Marin® Elimi-Phos Rapid;

•  assessing and, where necessary, reducing the stocking rate and feeding quantities or enriching the food with Tropic Marin® Lipovit/ Lipo- Garlic;

•  removing detritus, dead plants and other dirt;

•  stimulating the growth of plants in freshwater tanks or caulerpa and soft coral in saltwater aquariums;

•  using Tropic Marin® Amino-Organic, Tropic Marin® NP-Bacto- Balance, Tropic Marin® NP-Bacto-Pellets or other products to reduce the nutritional level in the medium term.

If phosphate levels are too low, we recommend (with due consideration for the nitrate concentration at the same time):

• using Tropic Marin® Plus-NP as a balanced source of nutrients in saltwater aquariums;

• increasing the feeding quantities.