Concentrated Reef Builder for Coralline Algae, Corals, Clams & other Marine
Invertebrates.
Overview:
Complete source of the elements and molecules that are directly used by
corals, clams, and other reef-building invertebrates and organisms to create
skeletal material and grow.
Provides calcium (140,000 ppm), strontium, magnesium, and potassium in
approximately the same ratios in which they occur in aragonite.
Very strong source of carbonates (derived from aragonite).
Increases alkalinity to help stabilize pH.
Stronger than competing products.
May be used as an inexpensive alternative to automated calcium reactor systems.
Free of phosphate, silicate, and organic material.
Technical Background:
Brightwell Aquatics Liquid Reef has twice the calcium relative to carbonates
as compared to natural aragonite, making it a very powerful calcium source. The
active components of Liquid Reef are provided by a combination of sources and
include natural aragonite, increasing the solubility of the solution and the
effectiveness of the method. Silicate- and phosphate-free. Examples of
reef-building organisms familiar to hobbyists are: stony corals and their
allies; molluscs including clams (bivalves) and snails (gastropods); tube worms
that secrete calcareous burrows; and calcareous algae such as coralline,
Halimeda, and Penicilus. These organisms require that the components of
aragonite be in adequate concentrations if they are to thrive, regardless of
how perfect the remainder of their environment is.
The advantage to this method of supplementation is that one product may be
used to establish and maintain water parameters conducive to reef formation.
Note that target ion-specific supplementation may be called for in some
aquaria, depending upon stocking density of reef-building organisms and
environmental conditions within the system. Additionally, hobbyists may choose
to use Liquid Reef in conjunction with other methods of calcium, strontium,
magnesium, and carbonate supplementation as a means of diversifying their
dosing routine. The rate at which calcium and carbonates are extracted from the
water is determined by the stocking density of reef-building livestock, type of
lighting, and other conditions; therefore, each aquarium will have different
requirements for the rate of supplementation.
Instructions and Guidelines:
Basic: Shake product well before using. Add 5 ml (1 capful) of product per 50
US-gallons of aquarium water every other day or as needed to maintain the
calcium concentration within a range of 412 - 450 ppm. When used in this
fashion, 250 ml treats up to 2,500 US-gallons (9,464 L). Liquid Reef may
temporarily cloud aquarium water after addition, therefore it is recommended
that the product be dosed at night.
Advanced: Determine the calcium concentration in the aquarium using an
accurate test kit before supplementing. Shake this product well before each
use. Liquid Reef may temporarily cloud aquarium water after addition, therefore
it is recommended that the product be dosed at night. Each ml of Liquid Reef
will increase the concentration of calcium (“[Ca2+]”) in 1 US-gallon (3.785 L)
of water by approximately 37 ppm. If the initial [Ca2+] in the aquarium is
below 412 ppm, add this product at the maximum rate of 10 ml per 30 US-gallons
daily until the desired calcium concentration is attained, then dose daily or
weekly as needed (see below). Always try to maintain the [Ca2+] within a range
of +/-10 ppm. To determine the dosing rate of this product once the desired
Ca2+] has been acquired, measure the daily rate of calcium uptake (i.e. the
decrease in calcium) in your aquarium by measuring the [Ca2+] at the same time
each day over a one- to two-week period. To determine the daily dosing rate
preferable to weekly dosing) for calcium maintenance: estimate the volume of
water in the entire aquarium system; divide the daily decrease in [Ca2+] by 37;
multiply this number by the volume of water in the system to get the daily
dosage required (ml) to maintain a stable [Ca2+]. Daily dosing maintains a more
stable [Ca2+] (and more natural environment) than dosing weekly, in which the
Ca2+] spikes just after dosing and then gradually decreases throughout the
course of the week.