Basics of Marine Aquarium
Conditioning
The marine aquarium environment is relatively well Advantage™ are concentrated sources of calcium and
defined and reflects the various salt formulations on proportionate strontium and magnesium for restoring
the market. The principal factors that need to be depleted quantities of these elements in the reef
managed are pH, alkalinity, ionic integrity, trace aquarium. Reef Calcium™ is a concentrated organic
supplementation, stress, and the avoidance of chlorine calcium supplement designed to promote accelerated
and chloramine. growth of corals. Reef Plus™ is a vitamin supplement,
rich in vitamins C and B12, with added potassium,
When selecting a salt mix, avoid those accompanied by molybdenum, iodide, iron, and other ingredients found
exaggerated claims and undue emphasis on trace useful in the promotion of reef health. Reef
elements. Trace elements in salt should be complexed Strontium™ safely provides strontium and
for stability and availability. If needed, as in a reef molybdenum for the enhancement of coral growth, but
aquarium, they should be replenished with a is not needed if Reef Complete™ is used. Reef Iodide™
supplement. Vitamins are too labile to withstand the is a concentrated complexed iodide supplement for
harsh environment of a dry salt mix and invertebrates, but is not needed if Reef
should not be part of a salt mix. If Plus™ is used. The use of Seachem’s
needed, they should be supplied family of reef products, along with
with a supplement. Fish and many Marine Buffer®, will provide ideal
invertebrates obtain trace culture conditions for reef corals.
elements, vitamins, and amino
acids from food, and quality foods contain an Marine Buffer® adjusts pH to 8.3 and
adequate supply. Except for the culture of macro-algae, maintains it. Unlike some competing products, it will
corals, and some invertebrates, supplements are not not exceed pH 8.3 in seawater. It is formulated
needed. If used, caution should be exercised, since scientifically to have a pK=8.3 for maximum buffering
many trace elements can be toxic at slightly increased efficiency at pH 8.3, while also not disrupting the
concentrations. Salts with excessive calcium (>420 mg/ natural ionic balance of marine water with prolonged
L), currently a fad, should be avoided, since such salts use. Unlike sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate,
promote alkalinity problems. There are several sound which only increase buffer capacity, Marine Buffer®
salt mixes on the market, including Seachem’s Reef raises pH in a controlled and lasting manner, adjusting
Salt™, that provide a stable and sound environment. the pK to 8.3 and increasing both buffer efficiency and
capacity. It dissolves readily and does not disrupt water
Seachem’s Trace™ is a concentrated dry blend of clarity. In ionically unbalanced water, a temporary
essential trace elements, vitamins, and amino acids, precipitate forms, making Marine Buffer® a useful
designed to be used sparingly to safely promote macro- indicator of when water changes are needed. Marine
algae culture and to stimulate appetites in the marine Buffer® contains a natural balance of sodium,
aquarium. Seachem’s Reef Builder™ is formulated to magnesium, calcium, potassium, and other cationic
increase alkalinity without immediate impact on pH, salts of carbonate, bicarbonate, and borate, formulated
while providing maintenance dosing of essential for enhanced efficiency and lasting buffer capacity at
calcium and magnesium. Reef Complete™ and Reef pH 8.3. It maintains optimum alkalinity and interacts
1000 Seachem Drive • Madison, GA 30650 • 706.343.6060 • FAX 706.343.6070 • 888-SEACHEM • www.seachem.com
with marine water to help preserve a balance of
calcium, magnesium, and trace elements that enhance
safely the culture of macro-algae and corals.
To remove chlorine, chloramine and ammonia from
municipal water sources, Seachem offers Safe™ and
Prime®. Both remove chlorine, chloramine, and
ammonia. Safe™ is dry and is used in a single easy step.
Prime® is a complete conditioner that also provides
essential ions and stimulates natural slime coat
production. Prime® should be the choice conditioner
when setting up a new tank, adding or changing water,
or transporting fish. Unlike some competing products,
it does not lower pH, nor does it contain polymeric
ingredients that disrupt skimmer activity. No other
product is required to make the water safe, even in high
chloramine situations.
The substrate for the marine or reef aquarium must be
mostly insoluble under normal aquarium conditions.
One of the better and more economical substrates is
crushed oyster shell (used in poultry feed). Dolomite is
suitable. Other crushed shells and coral sand are also
suitable. Soluble or so-called “buffering” substrates
such as crushed coral should be avoided, because such
substrates release into the confines of the tank an
uncontrolled quantity of minerals, causing a pH drop
and an inability to maintain pH, ultimately buffering at
7.6.
All Seachem products have the advantage of
performance based on sound chemistry and economy
based on concentrated formulations.
