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Brightwell Aquatics Alkalin8.3 Buffer
Size 250 ml, 500 ml, 2 L
See bottom of page for other sizes. Overview
• Highly-effective
alkalinity(KH)-increasing (”buffer”) solution.
• Helps increase pH
stability in an aquarium by raising the alkalinity.
• Provides a source of carbonates, which
make up the majority by
weight of aragonite, the mineral secreted by
reef-building organisms
as skeletal material.
• Continued addition raises pH until 8.3 is
reached, at which point
the pH remains unchanged and the alkalinity alone
increases.
• Over 50% stronger than most competing
products.
• Free of phosphate, silicate, and organic
material.
Technical Background for Brightwell
Aquatics Alkalin8.3 Buffer
Alkalinity, also referred to as carbonate hardness
or buffering capacity, is essentially a means of quantifying the stability of pH
in a solution, such as aquarium water. Alkalinity is of extreme importance in a
marine aquarium, owing to the manner in which it influences pH. In an aquarium,
weak acids formed by oxygen respiration and the decomposition of organic
material gradually deplete alkalinity. If left unchecked, the alkalinity drops
below a critical level and pH begins to fluctuate more wildly than is normally
suggested (a daily pH shift of +/-0.2 is normal in marine aquaria), causing
stress to livestock. Alkalinity is also depleted by reef-building organisms
during the production of aragonite (~60% carbonates by weight), and is therefore
very important for their rapid growth.
Maintaining the alkalinity in marine
aquaria between 7 - 12 dKH (2.5 - 4.3 meq/L) will generally maintain pH within
the desired range. The rate at which alkalinity is depleted in a reef aquarium
is determined by the stocking density of reef-building livestock, type of
lighting, rate of water circulation, and other biological, physical, and
chemical conditions; therefore, each aquarium will have different requirements
for the rate of alkalinity supplementation. Once the rate of alkalinity
depletion in the aquarium has been determined, the proper dosing rate of this
product can be easily calculated. It is recommended that a quality salt mix with
the proper (not augmented) alkalinity and concentrations of major, minor, and
trace elements be used to establish natural seawater parameters in the reef
aquarium, providing a stable ionic foundation on which to build. For additional
information on alkalinity and other important aspects of marine chemistry for
marine aquaria.
All Brightwell Aquatics liquid water care supplements are
made with purified water and high purity materials. We develop formulae for
aquaria based on empirical data, using observation and measurement rather than
theory.
Instructions and Guidelines
Basic: Shake
product well before using. Add product at the maximum rate of 5 ml (1 capful)
per 30 US-gallons daily until the desired alkalinity is attained, then dose
daily or weekly as needed (see below) to maintain alkalinity between 7 - 12 dKH.
When used in this fashion, 250 ml treats up to 1,500 US-gallons (5,678
L).
Advanced: Determine the alkalinity in the aquarium using an accurate test
kit before supplementing. Shake product well before using. Each ml of Brightwell
Aquatics Alkalin8.3 Buffer will increase the alkalinity in 1 US-gallon (3.785 L)
of water by 3.1 dKH (1.1 meq/L). If the initial alkalinity in the aquarium is
below 7 dKH (2.5 meq/L), add this product at the maximum rate of 5 ml per 10
US-gallons daily until the desired alkalinity is attained, then dose daily or
weekly as needed (see below). For minor adjustments to alkalinity, add 5 ml (1
tsp) of Alkalin8.3 per 30 US-gallons of aquarium water as needed to maintain the
alkalinity within the proper range. Always try to maintain the alkalinity within
a range of +/-1 dKH. To determine the rate of alkalinity depletion once the
desired alkalinity has been acquired, measure the alkalinity at the same time
each day over a one- to two-week period. To determine the daily dosing rate
(preferable to weekly dosing) for alkalinity maintenance: estimate the volume of
water in the entire aquarium system; divide the daily decrease in alkalinity by
3.1 (when measuring alkalinity by dKH; divide by 1.1 when measuring by meq/L);
multiply this number by the volume of water in the system to get the daily
dosage required (ml) to maintain a stable alkalinity. Daily dosing maintains a
more stable alkalinity and pH (and a more natural environment) than dosing
weekly, in which the alkalinity spikes just after dosing and then gradually
decreases throughout the course of the week.
Note: If pH does not reach desired level when using this product as directed, such as when gas exchange in
the aquarium is insufficient, addition of a pH-increasing product (i.e.
Brightwell Aquatics pH+) may be required. Follow manufacturer’s directions for
using such a product regardless of which one is used.
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