Aquavitro Calcification
- A concentrated (140,000 mg/L) optimized blend of ionic and bioavailable gluconate-complexed calcium
- Prevents calcium precipitation/alkalinity depletion
- Maintains peak coral growth
calcification™ is a concentrated (140,000 mg/L) optimized blend of ionic and bioavailable gluconate-complexed calcium designed to restore and maintain calcium to levels found in natural seawater, without affecting pH. These two forms of calcium are combined in calcification™ to provide the hobbyist with a convenient way to ensure peak coral growth and health.
Ionic calcium is readily available, while the gluconate-complexed calcium confers several benefits. The uncharged calcium in calcification™ is readily absorbed with less physiological work than is required for the absorption of ionic calcium. Using calcification™, it is not necessary to maintain the excessively high concentrations of calcium (about 450 mg/L or more) often recommended by others. In fact, excellent growth of corals and coraline algae is achieved with total calcium concentrations as low as 380 mg/L. Used up to four times recommended maintenance dose, the gluconate polymer will not accumulate or encourage the growth of undesirable algae. The polymer itself is beneficial as a food source not only to the corals and other invertebrates, but also to denitrifying bacteria, actually promoting the natural anaerobic denitrification process in live rock and other substrate. Furthermore, the use of this gluconate polymer allows calcium, strontium, and magnesium to be utilized more readily than they would otherwise and also helps to stabilize them in solution without depleting alkalinity.
Some prefer not to use complexed calcium because of concern about adding organics to the aquarium. This is not a valid concern. The amount of organics added with complexed calcium is insignificantly small when compared to the organics released by most reef creatures, even in a no feed, no nutrients approach. Since complexed calcium products employ lactate or gluconate, the naive misconception that these products contain sugars has arisen. While these components are related to sugars, they are oxidized aldehydes and do not react or behave as sugars. Polygluconate contains no nitrogen or phosphorous, thus it is biologically impossible for it to lead to algae growth in a properly maintained reef system.
Unlike competing products that require multi-day interval dosing when combined with carbonate supplements, calcification™ can be dosed daily and within minutes of our eight.four™ as well as the entire aquavitro reef line.
Directions:
Beginner: Use 5 mL for every 70 L (18 US gallons) twice a week. Check calcium once a week and adjust amount or frequency accordingly.
Advanced: Check calcium level, then follow addition regimen above until calcium is adjusted to 380-400 mg/L. Each 5 mL/70 L (18 US gallons) will raise calcium by about 10 mg/L. Quantity or frequency can be adjusted, but do not exceed 15 mL/70 L (18 US gallons) per day. Thereafter, use as required to maintain calcium.
FAQ:
It says calcification can be dosed together with carbonate supplements. Usually this is not the case. What is different about calcification?
A: You're correct in that most calcium and alkalinity supplements should be dosed separately, and in many cases on alternate days. Keep in mind that calcium and magnesium are both ions that carry a positive charge while alkalinity supplements/buffers, on the other hand, are negatively charged. Because of the ionic nature of these components, they should not be dosed at the same time because opposites attract and the positively charged ions will bind to the negatively charged buffer and precipitate out of solution. When this happens, you will often notice a white substance form or cloudiness occur as the products come together and precipitate. This decreases the efficacy of the products you have added.
With calcification™, we are not using the standard calcium chloride that most other manufacturers use. calcification™ is a blend of ionic and bio-available gluconate-complexed calcium. This means that some of the calcium in this product is uncharged and will prevent the precipitation effects commonly seen in using calcium chloride supplements.
I left the cap off of my bottle of calcification and now it looks like there is a thick precipitate inside the bottle. Is this normal and can I still use the product?
A: Because evaporation has occurred by leaving the top off, you have witnessed the formation of a thick precipitate. calcification™ should be stored with the cap securely tightened to prevent this in the future. Although the precipitate is not harmful, you should add some distilled or RO/DI water to the bottle and shake vigorously. The precipitate should go back into solution thoroughly and the product will be safe to continue using.
