Reef Builderª raises carbonate alkalinity without immediately impacting on pH. With long term use there will be a tendency to stabilize at pH 8.3. Carbonates and calcium are essential to all coral growth. If either becomes deficient, coral growth will cease, followed by a rapid decline in coral health. To prevent this you must provide carbonates (Reef Builderª) and calcium (Reef Advantage Calciumª or Reef Completeª). Used as directed, Reef Builderª will not deplete calcium, magnesium, or strontium which usually tend to precipitate with increasing alkalinity. Reef Builderª and Reef Bufferª may be used together. Use Reef Builderª to raise carbonate alkalinity without affecting pH. Use Reef Bufferª to raise carbonate alkalinity and pH. Reef alkalinity should be maintained at 3-5 meq/L (8-14 dKH). Alkalinity should not be allowed to fall below 2 meq/L. DO NOT OVERDOSE: Excess alkalinity may enhance the loss of calcium, magnesium, and strontium. Do not directly mix with any calcium, magnesium, or strontium supplement. Best if calcium & carbonate additives are added on alternate days or at least 30 minutes apart. Contains carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate salts of sodium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and potassium. Each gram contains a minimum of 12 meq of alkalinity.
DIRECTIONS: BEGINNER: Use half a level teaspoon per 150 L (40 gallons*) twice a week. Dissolve in at least one cup of freshwater. Check alkalinity every 2 weeks and adjust dose or frequency accordingly. ADVANCED: Check alkalinity, then follow dosing regimen above until alkalinity is adjusted to 4-5 meq/L. Each dose will raise alkalinity by about 0.25 meq/L. Size or frequency of dose can be adjusted, but do not exceed 1 meq/L per day. Thereafter, use as required to maintain alkalinity. EXPERT: After determining the alkalinity consumption rate, set up a continuous drip system. Use the following formula to determine how much to add to your top-off water: t=0.05va (t=teaspoons to add to top off water, v=volume of tank in gallons*, a=amount to raise alkalinity in meq/L). For example, if you want to raise your alkalinity by 1 meq/L in a 50 gallon* tank, then you would add 0.05x50x1=2.5 teaspoons into the top-off water. HINTS: Use MultiTest:ª Marine pH & Alkalinity to measure total alkalinity.