For growth and vitality, Aquasonic Bio-Vit is a supplement containing many vitamins and amino acids, formulated to suit the requirements of marine life, especially corals, anemones and other invertebrates. The boost of amino acids and vitamins will enhance growth and vitality in all aquariums inhabitants. BIO-VIT provides marine aquariums with elements essential to protect and promote marine life. For strong aquarium inhabitants that flourish use Aquasonic Bio-Vit.   Directions for Use: For an established aquarium, 1ml per 50ml each week. For a new aquarium, 1ml per 10L of aquarium water.To calculate approximate aquarium capacity: Multiply the length x width x water level height (in cm) and divide by 1,000 for litres.

Read more less

Aquasonic Marine Start is the safe and easy way to start up a marine biological filter, before stocking an aquarium. As the biological filter systems used in marine aquariums develop, toxic conditions occur. Aquasonic Marine Start chemically induces these conditions into a filter system by creating ammonia and then nitrite conditions. This leads to the development of nitrifying bacteria. This bacteria attaches to the filtration medium, filtering the water to convert toxic ammonia and nitrite to less harmful nitrate. Use Aquasonic's Ammonia Test Kit and Nitrite Test Kit to monitor the levels.   Directions for Use: 1ml per 20L each day for 7 days. Avoid using activated carbon or other absorbent filtration until the nitrifying bacteria are established. Adequate circulation to ensure oxygen supply through the filter medium is essential. A spike ammonia will develop over the first 7-10 days. This will decrease when a population of Nitrosococcus sp. becomes established. Following this, a spike in nitrite will be observed over days 10-21. Once this spike decreases, a population of NItrococcus sp. has become established. When the nitrite reading is zero, the aquarium may be safely stocked. Please note times may vary according to water quality and conditions.   To calculate approximate aquarium capacity: Multiply the length x width x water level height (in cm) and divide by 1,000 for litres.

Read more less

In all aquarium systems, biological activity develops in your filter, and on the surface of gravels and decorations etc. These bacteria are essential to achieve a balance in your aquarium and different types of bacteria need to be present in the right proportions to break down waste and deal with ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, which can all be harmful to your fish. Every time you change or add something in your tank, or you clean it, you potentially upset the balance because you are effectively removing some of these bacteria. The replacement of plants and coral or cleaning of filters, gravel or substrate, even in part, can also cause a NITRITE condition to re-occur, even in well-established aquariums. Complete sterilisation during the cleaning of an aquarium will also result in a NITRITE condition because you have removed bacteria in the sterilisation process.NITRITE is toxic to fish, even in quantities as small as 1ppm. If you are starting a new aquarium, it is recommended that you don’t put new fish into the system until a NITRITE reading of less than 1ppm is achieved (ideally zero).   Recurring Nitrite Condition The biological activity in a filter may take as long as three months to develop fully, and in this time, due to increases in the number of fish, the NITRITE condition may re-occur. Evidence has shown, by lowering the pH to 7.5, the toxicity of NITRITE is minimised. If a system does develop nitrite on a continual basis, after it is fully conditioned, it may mean that the surface area of the biological filter is undersized, or the number of fish in the tank is too great.   Assisting Biological Establishment To assist, ensure the temperature is steady, at or above 26 deg C, check the flow of water through the filters is well distributed and sufficient, and oxygen levels are adequate. When cleaning your filter media, use cold or lukewarm water only as hot water will kill the bacteria.   To Break The Ammonia - Nitrite - Nitrate Cycle: Perform a water change Remove anything that can cause ammonia to form (e.g., dead organic matter or excess fish waste) from amongst the substrate (e.g., gravel cleaner) Use Aquasonic AMMO-GONE to neutralise ammonia in the system. The manual addition of live strains of nitrifying bacteria can also aid in kick starting the biological activity in the filter system.   Directions for Use: Rinse the clean test tube and cap several times in the water to be tested. Fill the test tube to the 5ml mark with the water to be tested. Add 3 drops of Nitrite Reagent A. Add 3 drops of Nitrite Reagent B. Cap the test tube and invert twice. Wait a minimum of 2 minutes, but no longer than 3 minutes, to compare the test with the colour chart. After this time the test will continue to colour, but further colouration is irrelevant. Place the test tube on the white background of the colour chart and view vertically down the tube. The colour in the test tube is best viewed with natural light behind you. After completion of the test, wash the test tube carefully as a previous test could influence the next one.

Read more less

This HARDNESS TEST KIT measures the sum of the calcium and magnesium concentrations, expressed in ppm (parts per million). This is, in essence, measurement of the permanent hardness of water, but the measurement may also contain some temporary hardness in the form of calcium dissolved by carbon dioxide in water. This form of temporary hardness is usually minimal.   How Does Water Become Hard? Water hardness results from dissolved compounds of magnesium and calcium. With temporary hardness, magnesium and calcium are dissolved by carbon dioxidein water. This process can be reversed by removing the carbon dioxide, e.g. By boiling,or as aquatic plants use carbon dioxide. However, if the salts of magnesium or calciumare dissolved as a result of an acid present in water, the hardness becomes permanent.   Water Hardness In The Natural State The degree of hardness varies not only from country to country but river to river and even the hardness in each river varies from season to season. Aquatic life have different requirements according to geographical location and though most fish can stand a great deal of variation in hardness, they do best at specific levels. Factors like breeding of a species, the colour of a species or even the inhibition of fungal diseases can be greatly enhanced by the hardness of water.   Species Requirements Examples of fish that live at or below 150ppm are Angels, Corydoras, Catfish, Discus, Gouramis, Loaches, South American Tetras. Examples of fish that live between 150ppm and 300ppm are some Australian Natives, Guppies, Sword Tails, Mollies, Platties, and Goldfish. Examples of fish living above 300ppm and usually under 500ppm are African Cichlids, and Brackish water species.   Directions for Use: The test kit has a dual range, measurements can be made in steps of 10ppm or 20ppm (ppm = parts per million). Complete the test within 5 minutes.   To Test in 10ppm: Rinse a clean test tube several times in the water to be tested and fill to the 10 ml mark. Add 3 drops of Reagent 1, swirl to mix, then add 3 drops Reagent 2 and swirl to mix. Now add Reagent 3 (hold the bottle vertically), a drop at a time, swirl to mix before adding the next drop. Keep count of the drops. When the colour changes from red to blue the end point has been reached. Multiply the number of drops by 10 for the reading in parts per million. To Test in 20ppm: Rinse a clean test tube several times in the water to be tested and fill to the 5ml mark. Add 2 drops of Reagent 1, swirl to mix, then add 2 drops of Reagent 2 and swirl to mix. Now add Reagent 3 (hold the bottle vertically), a drop at a time, swirl to mix before adding the next drop. Keep count of the drops. When the colour changes from red to blue the end point has been reached. Multiply the number of drops by 20 for the reading in parts per million.

Read more less

Growing Aquatic Plants In the natural state some river systems plants grow particularly well. These are the ones with certain water qualities and constant supplies of nutrients. Water that comes from limestone areas or springs (usually containing high levels of carbonates and/or carbon dioxide) support high levels of growth and plant varieties. Ponds or billabongs that contain rich sediment also support certain aquatic plants, growing in and out of water. The river systems however, that support the type of plants most suited to aquarium application are the ones with sustained levels of inorganic nutrients, one of the most important being iron.   Plant Nutrients in the Aquarium Iron is considered the most important nutrient for aquatic plants. Recommended levels vary between 0.25 and 1.0ppm. Total levels of 2.0ppm may be harmful to both fish and plants. Aquatic plants can only use inorganic nutrients while they exist in a non-oxidized form. This fact presents a major problem when feeding aquatic plants ordinary fertilizers, because water and dissolved oxygen will oxidize certain important elements within hours. Furthermore, some of the nutrients supplied in plant foods, chiefly phosphates and nitrates, are unwanted in an aquarium and would most likely result in an algae problem.   Aquasonic BASIC-GRO and DAILY-GRO have overcome the oxidization problem by specially formulating nutrients that only plants can use, nutrients made for aquatic application.

Read more less

What is Carbonate Hardness? The extent of carbonate and bicarbonate contained in a sample of water is the Carbonate Hardness value of that sample. Carbonate Hardness affects all aquaria, both salt and fresh. It is called many names, according to the jargon of an industry or country of origin of the test kit, eg CARBONATE HARDNESS = ALKALINITY = kH (German) = ACID BINDING CAPACITY.   Stability of pH The Carbonate Hardness of water is an important measurement, because the level of Carbonate Hardness is the basis for the value of the pH in a given sample of water. A strong Carbonate Hardness reserve in water can mean a very stable pH and the bonus of an alternative supply of carbon dioxide for plants and algae if supply runs short in an aquarium. This applies equally for marine or freshwater aquaria.   Depletion of the Carbonate Hardness Reserve Acids which form as a result of the breakdown of waste products by bacteria (via biological filtration) is the most common way the carbonate hardness reserve is depleted. In aquariums with little or no carbonate hardness the pH is very unstable and can drop very quickly to acid.   Raising Carbonate Harness Aquasonic Carbonate Hardness Generator Powder is recommended for fresh or salt water applications. 5g will raise the Carbonate Hardness of 100L of water by 20ppm.   Directions for Use: The test kit has a dual range, which measures in steps of 10ppm or 20ppm (ppm = parts per million)   To Test in 10ppm: Rinse the clean test tube several times in the water to be tested. Fill the test tube accurately to the 10mL mark. Add 2 drops REAGENT 1 and swirl to mix. A blue colour forms. Now add REAGENT 2 a drop at a time and swirl to mix. Keep count of the drops. As the end point is reached the test tube colour will change to green. Add 1 more drop to complete the change to yellow. Multiply the number of drops by 10 for the reading in ppm.   To Test in 20ppm: Rinse the clean test tube several times in the water to be tested. Fill the test tube accurately to the 5mL mark. Add 1 drop of REAGENT 1 and swirl to mix. A blue colour forms. Add REAGENT 2 a drop at a time and swirl to mix. Keep count of the drops. When the colour changes to yellow the end point is reached. Multiply the number of drops by 20 for a reading in ppm.   Note: Place the test tube on the white background of the colour chart with the light behind you. The colour in the test tube is best viewed with the natural light.

Read more less

What is pH? Technically it is the measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration of a given sample of water. From this measurement it can be determined whether the water is acid, neutral or alkaline. The scale extends from 0 to 14. A pH between 0 and 7 is termed acid, and a pH between 7 and 14 is termed alkaline. The indicator in this kit has a pH range from 6.0 to 7.8 and is therefore suitable for most freshwater aquaria. At or below pH 6.0 the test sample would turn yellow. At or above pH 7.8 the test sample would turn blue.   Why pH Changes pH is not a constant factor and is subject to continual change due to influences like bacterial assimilation of waste causing acidity or calcium and magnesium compounds like shells or coral that cause alkalinity. Thus, under normal aquarium conditions, because of fish waste and unused food, the water would drift to acidity.   Directions for Use: Rinse a clean test tube and cap several times in water to be tested.  Fill to line (12.5ml) with water to be tested. Add 3 drops of Indicator solution Place the test tube on the white background of the colour chart, view vertically (down inside the test tube) with the light behind you. The colour in the test tube is best viewed with natural light. View immediately.   Adjust pH slowly.

Read more less

Normal pH The pH of water in the ocean is around 8.1. This is also the recommended pH of a marine aquarium, with levels slightly above or below this value considered acceptable. This happens as a result of the carbonate hardness value of sea water, which is about 125ppm. However, certain events such as biological filtration of a marine aquarium, tend to reduce the carbonate hardness value and therefore lower the pH. Also certain influences, such as carbon dioxide, can affect the reading of pH value.   Biological Filtration The assimilation of waste by bacteria in the filter of a marine aquarium is an acidifying process and in time will reduce the carbonate hardness value of the water. As this occurs, the pH value will fall. Carbonate hardness levels can be maintained with Aquasonic Carbonate Hardness Generator Powder. At a pH of 8.1 the carbonate hardness value should be 125ppm. If the carbonate hardness value of a marine aquarium is correct, yet pH values are not, the influence of carbon dioxide should be considered.   The Effects of CO2 For pH to read correctly, carbon dioxide must be in equilibrium with the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is produced by fish, plants, corals and bacteria assimilating waste in the biological filter in the aquarium. Some trickle (mini-reef) filters can expel carbon dioxide so efficiently that the quantity of carbon dioxide is less than the atmosphere, so pH reads higher than it really is. Likewise, in an aquarium with substrate filtration, carbon dioxide has some difficulty escaping as it is produced by the biological filter and other life. Under these conditions, carbonic acid may be formed and pH will read lower.   Using pH to Advantage During the development of bacteria in a biological filter, ammonia and nitrate conditions ensure. Both are deadly to marine fish. The toxicity of ammonia and nitrite, however, is in direct relation to the pH value of the water in the system. By lowering the pH, the toxicity of these deadly conditions is minimised. To lessen the toxicity of nitrite, lower the pH to 7.5.

Read more less

Aquasonic Betta Water Conditioning Salts have been formulated to re-create natural conditions in your aquarium. It contains the correct balance of salts, natural minerals and trace elements, plus bacterial and fungal inhibitors, to promote health and wellbeing.   Use Betta Water Conditioning Salts with new aquarium water, when starting up or doing a water change. It will raise General Hardness by approx. 80ppm and Salinity (NaCI) by 130ppm. Further addition of salt (NaCI) is not recommended.   Direction for Use: Add 5g (1 level teaspoon) per 15L of water. Re-seal container when not in use. Do not redose without a water change. To calculate approximate aquarium capacity: Multiply the length x width x water level height (in cm) and divide by 1,000 for litres.   For aquarium use only. Keep out of reach of children.

Read more less

The African Rift Lakes have a unique water chemistry and African Cichlids thrive under these special conditions. Aquasonic Riftlake Conditioning Salts have been formulated to re-create this same water chemistry in your aquarium, creating natural conditions. It contains the correct balance of salts, natural minerals and trace elements, plus bacterial and fungal inhibitors, to promote health and wellbeing.   Use Riftlake Water Conditioning Salts with new aquarium water, when starting up an aquarium or doing a water change. Do not use in water used to top up aquarium evaporation. Riftlake Water Conditioning Salts contains 11 natural salts and will raise the General Hardness by 300ppm and Salinity by 80ppm. A pH of 7.00 will rise to approx. 8.00.   Directions for Use: Add 5g (1 level teaspoon) per 7L of water. Re-seal container when not in use. Do not redose without a water change. To calculate approximate aquarium capacity: Multiply the length x width x water level height (in cm) and divide by 1,000 for litres.

Read more less

Livebearers originate from various habitats, such as rainforest streams, brackish swamps and even salt water inlets. Livebearers tend to become susceptible to fungus and bacterial infections from water changes, tank movement and catching fish. Aquasonic Livebearer Water Conditioning Salts have been formulated to re-create natural conditions in your aquarium or fish bowl. It contains the correct balance of salts, natural minerals and trace elements, plus bacterial and fungal inhibitors, to promote health and wellbeing.   Use Livebearers Water Conditioning Salts with new aquarium water, when starting up an aquarium or doing a water change. Do not use with water used to top up aquarium evaporation. It will raise General Hardness by approx. 110ppm, TDS will rise by 690ppm and Salinity by 660ppm. Further addition of common salt is not recommended. NOTE: This may affect some aquatic plants.   Directions for Use: Add one level teaspoon (approx. 5gm) per 5L of water. Re-seal container when not in use. Do not redose without a water change. To calculate approximate aquarium capacity: Multiply the length x width x water level height (in cm) and divide by 1,000 for litres.

Read more less

Livebearers originate from various habitats, such as rainforest streams, brackish swamps and even salt water inlets. Livebearers tend to become susceptible to fungus and bacterial infections from water changes, tank movement and catching fish. Aquasonic Livebearer Water Conditioning Salts have been formulated to re-create natural conditions in your aquarium or fish bowl. It contains the correct balance of salts, natural minerals and trace elements, plus bacterial and fungal inhibitors, to promote health and wellbeing.   Use Livebearers Water Conditioning Salts with new aquarium water, when starting up an aquarium or doing a water change. Do not use with water used to top up aquarium evaporation. It will raise General Hardness by approx. 110ppm, TDS will rise by 690ppm and Salinity by 660ppm. Further addition of common salt is not recommended. NOTE: This may affect some aquatic plants.   Directions for Use: Add one level teaspoon (approx. 5gm) per 5L of water. Re-seal container when not in use. Do not redose without a water change. To calculate approximate aquarium capacity: Multiply the length x width x water level height (in cm) and divide by 1,000 for litres.

Read more less