In a reef aquarium the pH is important to the growth of marine algae and hard corals. Optimum calcification occurs at pH levels between 8.3 and 8.5 so this is the pH level to aim for.
Some elements and compounds that affect the pH level are magnesium, potassium, carbonates and borates and these are removed by the biological filtration and by the corals so they need to be replenished regularly to maintain the pH within the range required.
A buffer is one way to maintain the pH at the correct level. The type of buffer to use depends on the level of corals in your aquarium. For an aquarium with only a small number of corals the depletion will be fairly slow and a general marine buffer will be adequate. Some examples you could use are SeaBuffer, Marine Buffer, Reef Pure marine pH Buffer or Marine pH Buffer. For a marine aquarium that is much more heavily stocked with coral, trace elements and compounds need to be replenished much more often and a different kind of buffer is needed. There are fewer buffers available for this situation, some are Enhanced Pro Buffer dKH with Coralline Accelerator, Reef Pure marine KH Buffer with magnesium, Reef Builder and Buff Reef Builder.
Pro Buffer dKH with Coralline Accel – 64 oz.
Enhanced Pro Buffer dKH with Coralline Accelerator raises alkalinity or buffering capacity and works automatically to control pH in any marine aquarium.Each 16 oz treats 1, 900 gallons
Image by by seanmcgrath
Tags: cheap aquariums, coral growth, reef aquarium, reef tank
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