Reef carbonate 500ml SEACHEM

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Reef Carbonate 500 ml Seachem – Carbonate Alkalinity Supplement for Reef Aquarium

Reef Carbonate Seachem is a concentrated liquid supplement designed to restore and maintain carbonate alkalinity (KH) in a reef aquarium. Its formulation is based on an optimized blend of carbonate and bicarbonate salts, providing a high buffering capacity suitable for modern reef systems.

SEACHEM

Main Features

Role of Alkalinity in Reef Aquariums

Calcium and carbonates are essential for coral growth. In the absence of either, the growth of corals stops quickly, followed by a general deterioration of their condition.

Reef Carbonate provides the necessary carbonates, in addition to a suitable calcium supply.

soft corals

Formulation Advantages

Unlike formulations based solely on sodium bicarbonate, Reef Carbonate uses a blend of carbonate and bicarbonate salts, offering a yield of about pK 9.0 in saltwater. This feature helps stabilize the pH around 8.3–8.4 in a closed reef system, where organic load naturally tends to lower the pH.

When used according to recommendations, Reef Carbonate does not lead to depletion of calcium, magnesium, or strontium, elements that may precipitate with excessive alkalinity increase.

Recommended Values

Reef aquarium alkalinity should be maintained between 3 and 6 meq/L (8 to 17 dKH). It should not fall below 2 meq/L.

Available Sizes

100 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, 2 L, 4 L.

Dosage Instructions

Beginner

Use 5 ml for 80 L of water twice a week. It is recommended to pre-dilute the product in a container of fresh water before adding. Check alkalinity every two weeks and adjust the dose or frequency if necessary.

Advanced

Measure alkalinity, then follow the dosage schedule until a value between 4 and 5 meq/L is achieved.

Each ml provides at least 4 meq of alkalinity. A dose of 5 ml for 80 L increases alkalinity by approximately 0.25 meq/L. Do not exceed 20 ml for 80 L per day.

Expert

After determining the system's alkalinity consumption, a continuous drip system can be set up.

Calculation formula: m = v × a / 4, where m corresponds to the volume of product to add in ml, v to the aquarium volume in liters, and a to the desired increase in meq/L.

Example: To increase alkalinity by 1 meq/L in a 200 L aquarium, add 50 ml to the top-up water.

Important Notes

FAQ

Presence of Crystals in the Bottle

The formation of white crystals may occur when exposed to low temperatures. This phenomenon is normal. Once the product is warmed, the crystals can be dissolved by agitation. If necessary, place the bottle in warm water for a few minutes.

Difference with Reef Builder

Reef Builder is the powdered version of Reef Carbonate. The two products are functionally equivalent, with the liquid formulation optimized for maximum concentration.

Compatibility with Filtration and skimmer

It is not necessary to stop filtration or the skimmer when adding Reef Carbonate. The product is not affected by these devices.