42
GB
is washed into surface and ground water in the form of silicate. Depending on the composition of the rocks in
a particular area, the mains water will contain varying amounts of dissolved silicate. Mains water can contain
up to 40 mg/l and, on rare occasions, even more. Silicate is non-toxic and there is no threshold set in the
regulations governing the quality of drinking water.
The signicance of silicon for aquariums and garden ponds is as a nutrient for algae (diatoms), some aquatic
plants (e.g. hornwort) as well as siliceous sponges and many other invertebrates. When a new aquarium is set
up, the rst sign of settlement is a brown coating of algae (diatoms). This coating disappears when the aquarium
is run in and sufcient competition from other algae and micro organisms has established itself. This also
signicantly reduces the amount of silicate in the water. However, such coatings of algae can often reappear,
particularly in saltwater, after the water has been changed, adding new silicate. For this reason, osmosis water
should preferably be used when changing the water or lling a marine aquarium.
We recommend the following values:
Freshwater and garden pond water: up to approx. 1 mg/l to 2 mg/l can be tolerated.
Saltwater: max. 1 mg/l
Remedies for problems caused by increased silicate levels:
• Check the silicate content of the water used.
• Use water with low silicate content for partial changes of water (reverse osmosis, e. g. JBL Osmose 120).
• Filter through a silicate absorber (JBL SilikatEx).
Instructions:
1. Repeatedly rinse both test jars with the water to be tested.
2. Use the enclosed syringe to ll each of the test jars with 10 ml of sample water.
3. Add the reagent to one of the two test jars as follows:
a) 10 drops of reagent 1, shake, leave to stand for 3 minutes
b) 10 drops of reagent 2, shake, leave to stand for 3 minutes.
c) A small measuring spoon (narrow end of enclosed double spoon) of reagent 3, close lid and shake until
dissolved, leave to stand for 3 minutes
4. Place both test jars in the comparator block: the jar with the added reagent at the smooth end of the
comparator block, the jar with untreated sample water (blank sample) at the notched end of the comparator
block.
5. Move the comparator block with the two test jars backwards and forwards on the colour chart with the notch
pointing to the values, until the colour of the sample treated with reagent matches the colour under the blank
sample as closely as possible.
6. Read the silicate content in the notch of the comparator block. The additional graduation of colours from
green to red on the colour chart allows a quick reading of the measurement.
In the event that the colour of your test sample is darker than the colours of the chart, dilute the sample with
distilled or silicate-free water and measure again.
Depending on the dilution, the result must be multiplied as follows to determine the actual silicate content:
5 ml sample + 5ml dist. water: result x 2
2 ml sample + 8 ml dist. water: result x 5
1 ml sample + 9 ml dist. water: result x 10
The instructions are repeated in a series of simple diagrams on the reverse of the colour chart.
Our tip for environmentally-friendly aquarium keepers:
All reagents for JBL test sets are available from your retailer as reasonably-priced rell packs!
Warning and safety notices concerning reagent 1 + 2:
Attention
H315 Causes skin irritation. H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
P101 If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand. P102 Keep out
of reach of children. P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face
protection. P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. P302+P352 IF ON
SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water. P332+P313 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical
advice/attention. P337+P313 If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention.
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