Seachem Reef Buffer 500g

When used as directed, Reef Buffer ™ will raise the pH of your reef system to 8.3 without the fear of accidentally exceeding the pH to dangerous levels. While competing products simply use sodium bicarbonate, Reef Buffer ™ is composed of a mixture of carbonate and bicarbonate salts. This salt mixture results in a Reef Buffer ™ with a pK of approximately 8.6 in salt water.

The PK of a buffering agent is equivalent to the pH at which the buffer is most strongly buffered. One would then assume that the pK of the salt water buffer should be 8.3; however, the many organic acids produced by the inhabitants of the reef system lower the pH to a much greater extent than in the non-reef marine system. A buffer with a pK of 8.3 will eventually give a higher pH in the 8.0-8.2 range. The higher pK (8.6) Reef Buffer ™ provides greater pH stability in a reef system where the biological load is significantly greater than in a fish-only system. Competing products are not specifically designed for reef environments, so their pK is too low (in most cases pK 8.3). With this pK it is impossible to achieve the proper pH in salt water.

Reef Buffer ™ also increases carbonate alkalinity; however, if pH is not an issue, you should choose Reef Builder ™ or Reef Carbonate ™ as your carbonate alkalinity additive.

Usage

Check pH and Alkalinity before use (use MultiTest ™ Marine pH & Alkalinity to check alkalinity levels). Use 5 g (1 flat teaspoon) for every 150 L (40 US gal) to raise the pH by about 0.1 pH units (this will also increase the alkalinity by about 0.5 meq / L). Use the digital Seachem Spoon Scale for accurate dosing. Dissolve at least 250 ml (one glass) fresh water, then add to the reservoir. The PH of natural seawater is 8.25–8.30. In a well established reef system, pH adjustments from two to half weeks may be required. Dosage requirements may vary, but do not exceed recommended dosage without checking pH and alkalinity (alkalinity should not exceed 6 mEq / L).

If an alkalinity of 6 meq / l has been reached, and a pH of at least 8.20 has not been reached, or significant turbidity has occurred that has not disappeared within 15 minutes, then the system is ionically unbalanced. To restore ionic balance, change the water or adjust magnesium and calcium levels to about 3: 1 Mg: Ca.

DO NOT OVERDOSE: Excessive alkalinity can increase the loss of calcium, magnesium and strontium. Do not mix directly with calcium, magnesium, or strontium supplements. It is best if calcium and carbonate supplements are added every other day or at least 30 minutes apart.