The manufacturer informs:

Overview

It safely lowers pH in planted freshwater and community aquaria. It can also be used in marine aquaria.

It gradually lowers the alkalinity (carbonate hardness) of tap and aquarium water.

Useful for lowering the pH of the aquarium when acidic water conditions need to be established in biotope aquaria, simulating the arrival of the rainy season, or for stimulating spawning in fish species from low pH environments.

It contains no phosphate-based buffering substances; it does not increase phosphate or nitrogen nutrients in the aquarium.

Technical background

The water chemistry requirements of many interesting freshwater fish and invertebrate species require that the pH of the water in the tank be kept below 7.0 (i.e. be acidic); this is especially true for organisms from forested, mineral-deficient regions, such as many streams and rivers in South and Central America, West Africa, South-East Asia, and parts of Australasia.

The difficulty faced by many aquarists wishing to keep these particular species in captivity is often related to adjusting the pH within an appropriate range when the water used for water changes is rich in dissolved minerals (particularly those that increase alkalinity, such as Calcium carbonate) and/or when an aquarium bed has been used that releases substances such as dolomite or calcite. The best first step is to use only osmosis water when carrying out water changes, reconstituting it by using appropriate remineralising salts to achieve the appropriate TDS (for topping up evaporated water, use non-remineralised osmosis water instead); it is advisable to replace the bottom with an inert one. However, after these changes have been made, the pH value may still be too high than desired. Using Florin pH- as indicated will lead to a gradual and safe lowering of the pH. pH changes should always be made very gradually to avoid stressing the aquarium inhabitants, and a reliable source of information on the water chemistry needs of the species housed should be consulted before making any pH changes. Alkalinity (carbonate hardness) should always be monitored and adjusted as required. Florin pH- is safe for all freshwater aquaria, including those with plants and invertebrates (such as shrimps and other crustaceans, snails and other molluscs, etc.).

Instructions and Guidelines

Do not use Florin pH- in an aquarium without first determining the pH and alkalinity with an accurate test. Shake the bottle before each use. Read all instructions before use.

Addition to aquarium: Administer up to 1 ml of Florin pH- per 37.9 litres (10 gallons) of water every 2 hours until the pH has dropped and become stable towards the desired value; note that the speed of circulation of water in the tank will be relevant in determining how fast the active ingredients will change the pH (faster circulation reduces the time needed), and that pH stabilisation can take up to 24 hours in extreme cases (more likely to occur in less than 2 hours). Do not make pH changes of more than 0.1 every 30 minutes. As soon as Florin pH- is added to the tank, the alkalinity drops, leading to a less stable and possibly lower pH. Under alkaline water conditions, it is common for the pH to drop temporarily and then rise slightly after the addition of Florin pH-; this is simply due to the interactions between the active components and the buffer molecules in the water and will gradually decrease as the alkalinity decreases. At that point the pH will easily change with the addition of Florin pH-, so precautions should be taken to ensure that the pH does not drop below the safe threshold. Consult a reliable source of information on the pH needs of the organisms housed in the aquarium and make parameter adjustments as necessary to achieve the desired values. Alkalinity can be increased through the use of buffers such as Florin Delta KH+; this will stabilise the pH and may raise it slightly.

Addition in tap and/or osmosis water: Adjust the alkalinity of the water with a buffer (such as Florin Delta KH+); once the alkalinity is stabilised, add Florin pH- until the desired pH level is reached. Finally, adjust the TDS of the water (e.g. with Remineralīz or Remineralīz-P or with Florin Delta GH+ for aquaria with plants) to the desired values. When the water temperature is about the same as in the aquarium, add water to the tank.

Attention: Contains buffered sulphuric acid; contents may be corrosive and/or irritating. Do not inhale vapours. Keep out of the reach of children. Not for human use.First aid: If swallowed, rinse mouth and drink water or milk. Do not induce vomiting. In case of contact with eyes or skin, rinse with water for at least 15 minutes. Contact a doctor immediately.

Ingredients

Sulphate salts of the highest purity.