Brightwell Aquatics Alkalin 8.3 – Liquid pH Buffer and Alkalinity (KH) Builder, 500 ml. / 17 oz.

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. Brightwell Aquatics Alkalin 8.3 – Liquid pH Buffer and Alkalinity (KH) Builder, 500 ml. / 17 oz.* 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. * Formulated by a marine scientist. Technical Background 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 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 alk