Overview
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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.
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Provides calcium (140,000 ppm), strontium, magnesium, and potassium in approximately the same ratios* in which they occur in aragonite.
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Very strong source of carbonates (derived from aragonite).
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Increases alkalinity to help stabilize pH.
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Stronger than competing products.
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May be used as an inexpensive alternative to automated calcium reactor systems
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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.
*Aragonite composition is seen to vary slightly between regions; the specific ratios of target ions in Liquid Reef are based upon data available for aragonite originating in the Tropical Atlantic.
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.
Caution: May cause eye or skin irritation. Flush with water for 15 minutes if in eyes, seek medical attention if irritation persists. Keep out of reach of children. Not for human consumption.
Guaranteed Analysis
Calcium (min) 4,140 mg/oz. (140,000 ppm)
Carbonate (min) 3,100 mg/oz. (104,800 ppm)
Strontium (min) 80 mg/oz. (2,715 ppm)
Magnesium (min) 11 mg/oz. (386 ppm)
Potassium (min) 0.60 mg/oz. (20.6 ppm)
Ingredients
Purified water, Aragonite, Sulfate-, and Chloride-salts of Calcium, Strontium, Magnesium, and Potassium
