Dye Selection Guide
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STEP #1
Determine the primary factor that is most important to you in your dye process.
a) Food Grade, must be safe for food processes (see below)
b) Potable Water, must be safe for drinking water, streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc. (see below)
c) Strong Visual, must be easily detected in process. (see below)
STEP #2
Determine the best combination of dye COLOR (see below) and dye FORM (see below) for your application.
STEP #3
CLICK the specific link on the Dye Chart (see below) to access further information on each dye.
Food Grade: (Step #1)
This dye standard is safe for food processes and is suggested for situations where dye may come in contact with a food process. The only trace dye certified as Food Grade is ‘FLT Blue’ (Liquid, Power, Tablet forms available). This dye is used for visual detection only and cannot be seen under ultraviolet light or detected by fluorometry. This dye also has NSF certifcation. The NSF60 certification means it is safe for use in drinking water up to the parts-per-billion (ppb) limit that the specific dye is rated for, see each specific dye for the parts-per-billion rating necessary for NSF60 compliance. Visually, the dye appears as aqua to royal blue depending on its concentration and activity of the water. Based on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) studies, the dye is biodegradable with 77% of the available oxygen consumed in 7 days.
Potable Water: (Step #1)
This dye standard is safe for potable water applications where water may eventually be used as drinking water and/or fish may be present (streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc). This dye has NSF certifcation. The NSF60 certification means it is safe for use in drinking water up to the parts-per-billion (ppb) limit that the specific dye is rated for, see each specific dye for the parts-per-billion rating necessary for NSF60 compliance.
Strong Visual: (Step #1)
For use in Industrial applications where there is no concern that dye may find its way into food processes, drinking water (potable water), lakes, streams, rivers or fish habitats.
COLOR: (Step #2)
Red (FWT - Potable Water):
Specially formulated version of Rhodamine WT dye; is NSF60 compliant for use in drinking water, please see data sheet for further info. May be detected visually, with a UV light or appropriate fluoremetric equipment. Compared to Bright Dyes FLT Yellow/Green it is significantly more resistant to degradation by sunlight and when used in fluoremetry FWT Red stands out much more clearly against background fluorescence. FWT Red offers great contrast to heavy concentrations of algae, and may also be detected visually with a simple hand-held laboratoy blacklight (UV light) at significantly lower llevels - in the range of 10ppb. FWT Red 200 liquid dye is easiest to detect using fluorometric equipment.
Red (Industrial - Strong Visual):
Specially formulated version of Rhodamine B dye. Do not use in, near, or downstream from drinking water intakes and aquatic ecosystems (fish etc). May be detected visually, with a UV light or appropriate fluoremetric equipment. Compared to Bright Dyes FLT Yellow/Green or FWT Red the Industrial Red is significantly less resistant to absorption on inorganic and organic suspended matter. There by limiting its suitability in many applications, particularly where fluoremetric detection is needed. The Industrial Red dye has greater resistance to sunlight than FLT Yellow/Green and is equivalent to FWT Red.
Yellow/Green (FLT - Potable Water):
Specially formulated version of Fluorescein dye/Uranine dye from the Xanthene dye family; is NSF60 compliant for use in drinking water, please see data sheet for further info. May be detected visually, with a UV light or appropriate fluoremetric equipment. Compared to Bright Dyes FWT Red products, the FLT Yellow/Green is significantly less resistant to degradation by sunlight and when used in fluoremetry FLT Yellow/Green stands out much less clearly against background fluorescence. Based on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) studies, the dye is biodegradable with 65% of the available oxygen consumed in 7 days. The FLT Yellow/Green dye has been used by the military to mark downed pilots for search and rescue operation over large water bodies.
Blue (FLT - Food Grade):
Specially formulated version of food grade dye FD & C Blue; is NSF60 compliant for use in drinking water, please see data sheet for further info. FLT Blue is used for visual detection only and cannot be seen under UV light or with fluoremetric equipment. However, when used visually, the Blue color is often thought to be more acceptable to public view than the fluorescing red or yellow/green dye products. In this respect, it is sometimes used in fountains, ponds and streams for decorative effects. Based on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) studies, the dye is biodegradable with 77% of the available oxygen consumed in 7 days.
Blue (Standard - Potable Water):
Specially formulated version of the dye Acid Blue 9; is NSF60 compliant for use in drinking water, please see data sheet for further info. FLT Blue is used for visual detection only and cannot be seen under UV light or with fluoremetric equipment. However, when used visually, the Blue color is often thought to be more acceptable to public view than the fluorescing red or yellow/green dye products. In this respect, it is sometimes used in fountains, ponds and streams for decorative effects. Based on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) studies, the dye is biodegradable with 77% of the available oxygen consumed in 7 days.
Orange (FLT - Potable Water):
Specially formulated version of Xanthene dye; is NSF60 compliant for use in drinking water, please see data sheet for further info. May be detected visually, UV light, or appropriate fluoremetric equipment. Compared to Bright Dyes FLT Yellow/Green products the FLT Orange is slightly more resistant to degradation by sunlight but less resistant than FWT Red products.
FORM: (Step #2)
Overall Ease |
Detection Method |
Dye Dispersion |
Water Volume | |||||
| Visual | UV* | Fluoremeter | Small | Medium | Large | |||
| Dye Tablets | E | E | E | F | Rapid | X | X | |
| Dye Liquid | VG | E | E | E | Very Rapid | X | X | X |
| Dye Powder | G | VG | VG | G | Moderate | X | X | |
| Dye Wax | VG | VG | G | P | Slow/Moderate | X | ||
| Dye Paper | E | E | G | P | Rapid | X | X | |
| *Applies only to fluorescent FWT Red, FLT Yellow/Green and FLT Orange Ultraviolet (UV) Light, also known as a blacklight. E =Excellent; VG =Very Good; G =Good; F =Fair; P =Poor | ||||||||
Dye Chart: (Step #3)
| Product # | Description | Food Grade |
Potable Water (see Data Sheet for NSF60 rating) |
Fluorescent (detectable w/ UV light & Fluoremetric Equipment) |
| Tablet Dyes (Bright Dyes) | ||||
| 101100 | Tablets, 200 tablets, Fluorescent Industrial Red | No | No | Yes |
| 101101 | Tablets, 200 tablets, FLT Fluorescent Yellow/Green | No | Yes | Yes |
| 101102 | Tablets, 200 tablets, Standard Blue | No | Yes | No |
| 101103 | Tablets, 200 tablets, FWT Fluorescent Red | No | Yes | Yes |
| 101105 | Tablets, 200 tablets, FLT Blue | Yes | Yes | No |
| 101106 | Tablets, 200 tablets, FLT Fluorescent Orange | No | Yes | Yes |
| Liquid Dyes (Bright Dyes) | ||||
| 106000-01g | Liquid, Gallon, Fluorescent Industrial Red | No | No | Yes |
| 106000-01p | Liquid, Pint, Fluorescent Industrial Red | No | No | Yes |
| 106001-01g | Liquid, Gallon, Fluorescent Yellow/Green | No | Yes | Yes |
| 106001-01p | Liquid, Pint, Fluorescent Yellow/Green | No | Yes | Yes |
| 106002-01g | Liquid, Gallon, Standard Blue | No | Yes | No |
| 106002-01p | Liquid, Pint, Standard Blue | No | Yes | No |
| 106005-01g | Liquid, Gallon, FLT Blue | Yes | Yes | No |
| 106005-01p | Liquid, Pint, FLT Blue | Yes | Yes | No |
| 106006-01g | Liquid, Gallon, FLT Fluorescent Orange | No | Yes | Yes |
| 106006-01p | Liquid, Pint, FLT Fluorescent Orange | No | Yes | Yes |
| 106023-01g | Liquid, Gallon, FWT Fluorescent Red 25 | No | Yes | Yes |
| 106023-01p | Liquid, Pint, FWT Fluorescent Red 25 | No | Yes | Yes |
| 106053-01g | Liquid, Gallon, FWT Fluorescent Red 50 | No | Yes | Yes |
| 106053-01p | Liquid, Pint, FWT Fluorescent Red 50 | No | Yes | Yes |
| 106203-01g | Liquid, Gallon, FWT Fluorescent Red 200 | No | Yes | Yes |
| 106203-01p | Liquid, Pint, FWT Fluorescent Red 200 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Powder Dyes (Bright Dyes) | ||||
| 105000 | Powder, 1 lb, Fluorescent Industrial Red | No | No | Yes |
| 105001 | Powder, 1 lb, FLT Fluorescent Yellow/Green | No | Yes | Yes |
| 105002 | Powder, 1 lb, Standard Blue | No | Yes | No |
| 105005 | Powder, 1 lb, FLT Blue | Yes | Yes | No |
| 105006 | Powder, 1 lb, FLT Fluorescent Orange | No | Yes | Yes |
| 105403 | Powder, 1 lb, FWT Fluorescent Red | No | Yes | Yes |
| Wax Dyes (Bright Dyes) | ||||
| 102000 | Wax Cake, 1.25 oz, Fluorescent Industrial Red | No | No | Yes |
| 102001 | Wax Cake, 1.25 oz, FLT Fluorescent Yellow/Green | No | Yes | Yes |
| 102002 | Wax Cake, 1.25 oz, Standard Blue | No | Yes | No |
| 102003 | Wax Cake, 1.25 oz, FWT Fluorescent Red | No | Yes | Yes |
| 102006 | Wax Cake, 1.25 oz, FLT Fluorescent Orange | No | Yes | Yes |
| 103060 | Wax Cone, 4.5 oz, Fluorescent Industrial Red | No | No | Yes |
| 103061 | Wax Cone, 4.5 oz, FLT Fluorescent Yellow/Green | No | Yes | Yes |
| 103062 | Wax Cone, 4.5 oz, Standard Blue | No | Yes | No |
| 103063 | Wax Cone, 4.5 oz, FWT Fluorescent Red | No | Yes | Yes |
| 103066 | Wax Cone, 4.5 oz, FLT Fluorescent Orange | No | Yes | Yes |
| 104040 | Wax Donut, 32 oz, Fluorescent Industrial Red | No | No | Yes |
| 104041 | Wax Donut, 32 oz, FLT Fluorescent Yellow/Green | No | Yes | Yes |
| 104042 | Wax Donut, 32 oz, Standard Blue | No | Yes | No |
| 104043 | Wax Donut, 32 oz, FWT Fluorescent Red | No | Yes | Yes |
| 104046 | Wax Donut, 32 oz, FLT Fluorescent Orange | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dye Papers (Norlabs) | ||||
| 107000-100 | Dye Strips, 100, Fluorescent Yellow/Green | No | Yes | Yes |
| 107001-100 | Dye Strips, 100, Standard Blue | No | Yes | Yes |
| 107002-100 | Dye Strips, 100, Fluorescent FWT Red | No | Yes | Yes |
As always the suitability of these products for any specific application should be evaluated by a qualified hydrologist or other industry professional.