User Manual

The importance of calcium in the Reef aquarium
A successful mixed reef aquarium is dependent upon maintaining the appropriate
water parameters that in turn provide the stable environment required by the corals.
Although all the elements found in natural seawater have an important role in
providing the optimal water parameters, a few of them have a more signicant role
in the overall stability. These elements are the foundation of the reef environment
and they include the three major elements, Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Bi-
Carbonates (HCO
3
). These 3 elements have a major effect on the water chemistry (pH
stability, Alkalinity, sea water ionic strength) and on many of the aquarium inhabitants’
biological processes such as skeleton formation of sh and corals, ions exchange and
photosynthesis.
Although regular monitoring of all three foundations elements is important for the
stability of the aquarium, it is essential to test for Ca on a weekly basis.
For easy and accurate Alkalinity and Magnesium measurements it is highly
recommended to use Red Sea’s Marine Care pH/Alkalinity and Magnesium test kits.
Aquarium
type
Recommended
Testing and
supplementing
frequency
Salinity
(ppt)
Calcium
(ppm)
Alkalinity
(meq/L / °KH)
Magnesium
(ppm)
Mixed Reef Weekly 34 450 4.1 / 11.5 1350
Marine Fish Weekly 30 370 2.5 / 7 1100