saltwater
A frequent occurrence in reef systems is low pH, while calcium and alkalinity are at optimal levels. Raise one and the others may fall. One of the primary reasons for this is an improper carbonate/bicarbonate ratio. The buffer ratio changes as a natural consequence of the buffer's ability to counteract acidifying sources such as organic acids (produced naturally from waste) or introduced from non-pH controlled husbandry products. In this case, adding more buffer would unnecessarily result in a rise in alkalinity and a drop in calcium. The first product of its kind, balance™ ends this see-saw effect. It resets this ratio by converting bicarbonate into carbonate in order to reassert a higher pH without affecting calcium level.
balance™ is an optimized blend of sodium and potassium hydroxides with a NSW ratio (27:1) of sodium to potassium to avoid ionic imbalance with long term use.
aquavitro® offers other solutions designed to address the unique challenge of raising pH in a reef environment. ions™ addresses the problem of low magnesium which is a cause of low buffering pK and pH. eight.four™ addresses deficiencies in pK found in competing products by providing a properly balanced (carbonate/bicarbonate) buffer system.
Sizes: 150 mL, 350 mL, 1 L, 4 L
balance™ is intended to be used to raise pH when all other parameters (alkalinity, calcium, magnesium) are at optimal levels, but pH is still low. The amount of balance™ needed to raise pH to the desired level will vary widely, depending upon the buffering capacity and quality of your tank water. For reference purposes only, 5 mL will raise 55 L (15 US gallons) of salt water by about 0.1 pH units.
Add balance™ in small increments, and check pH after at least 3 minutes before adding additional increments.
Unlike competing products that require multi-day interval dosing. balance™ can be used daily and within minutes of calcification™, eight.four™, and ions™
Use Seachem's MultiTest®: Marine pH & Alkalinity kit to check pH.
How do I know if I should use balance or eight.four to raise pH in my reef aquarium? Do they do the same thing?
A: No, these are actually two very different products. eight.four is a buffer that will raise both pH and KH (alkalinity) in your aquarium by adding a blend of buffering agents such as carbonates and bicarbonates to your system. balance specifically targets pH only by re-establishing the proper bicarbonate/carbonate ratio by using a hydroxide blend to raise pH without having an impact on KH, calcium or magnesium levels. If your calcium, magnesium and alkalinity are all in the proper levels but pH is still low, you can use balance to correct this. If calcium, magnesium and/or alkalinity is also low in addition to pH, then you may want to use eight.four in addition to other products in the aquavitro range such as calcification or ions to address any other deficiencies.
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