Seachem Reef Calcium 500ml (SC-353)

Seachem Reef Calcium 500ml (SC-353) - Coral Tank Conditioner

Seachem Reef Calcium is a concentrated liquid organic calcium additive for supplementing calcium in marine reef aquarium and accelerating coral development.

Advantages

Reef Calcium is a concentrated (50,000 mg/L) bioavailable polygluconate complexed calcium intended to maintain calcium in the reef aquarium without altering pH. Additionally, polygluconate contains no nitrogen or phosphorous, thus it is biologically impossible for it to lead to algae growth in a properly maintained reef system.

Polygluconate complexation confers several benefits: it increases the bioavailability of the calcium, it provides a rich source of metabolic energy to help maintain peak coral growth, and it prevents calcium precipitation/alkalinity depletion.

Reef Calcium utilises a chained organic calcium rather than an ionic calcium. When a coral absorbs a molecule into its tissue, it uses the same amount of energy regardless of molecular size. However, charged molecules require more energy. When an uncharged molecule of Reef Calcium is absorbed, the coral acquires multiple calcium atoms as well as an easily metabolised carbohydrate with less energy expended than it uses for ionic calcium uptake. Therefore, at lower calcium levels, corals can still take in as much calcium through our organic chains as they would at much higher levels of ionic calcium.

Reef Calcium may be used alone to maintain calcium but will provide enhanced levels of coral growth when used in conjunction with an ionic calcium supplement (Reef Complete, Reef Advantage Calcium). Reef Calcium is intended to maintain calcium levels; if calcium becomes seriously depleted one should either perform a water change or use an ionic calcium supplement to restore the depleted level of calcium.

Directions

Add 1 capful (5 mL) per 80 L (20 US gallons) twice a week. You can increase the amount or frequency based on growth response but do not exceed 3 capfuls per 80 L (20 gallons) per day. Each capful will raise calcium by about 3 mg/L.

Notes: Use the Reef Status: Calcium test kit to measure calcium. It is not necessary to exceed 380 mg/L total calcium when using this product. Colour and clarity may vary between lots.

FAQ

I bought Reef Calcium supplement and when I opened it, there were crystals around the rim. They looked like rock candy. Was this an old product? Should I take it back to the store for a newer one?

A: This is normal for this product and is of no consequence. The crystals should go back in to solution if shaken. This product, like the vast majority of our line, is designed to have an indefinite shelf life. This particular product may need occasional shaking.

What is the difference between Reef Advantage Calcium and Reef Calcium?

A: Our Reef Advantage Calcium and Reef Calcium are completely different calcium supplements. Reef Advantage Calcium is an ionic calcium that is very concentrated and very economical to use. Reef Calcium is an organic calcium complex that is very readily available. The calcium in this product is bound to an easily metabolized carbohydrate, hence it being very available and your corals do not have to expend as much energy to use this form of calcium. In using these products together, I would consider Reef Advantage Calcium your primary calcium supplement and Reef Calcium as your secondary calcium supplement.

What is the difference between Reef Calcium, Reef Advantage Calcium, and Reef Complete? Why would I use one product over another?

A: Reef Complete is the liquid version of Reef Advantage Calcium. They are both ionic calcium supplements that also provide magnesium and strontium in typical utilization ratios. Since they both are the same, it simply comes down to whether you prefer liquids or powders. I personally prefer liquid because they are simple to dose and no pre-mixing is necessary. That being said, powders can be very economical. Reef Calcium is an organic calcium meant to help maintain calcium levels in a system, while Reef Advantage Calcium and Reef Complete are meant to raise calcium levels in the system. Reef Calcium is a poly-gluconate calcium that will provide more calcium to the system without the corals having to expend any extra energy, thus increasing growth and maintaining calcium levels. Reef Calcium typically will not be used to raise Calcium in the system, but rather to maintain calcium that is already existent in ideal levels. If levels are not in the ideal range, we would recommend that you use Reef Complete or Reef Advantage Calcium to boost calcium levels.