Many competing buffers for reef aquaria are simply sodium bicarbonate. Such buffers have a pK of only 8.0 in saltwater and simply are unable to maintain a pH above 8.0. The low buffering pK is a function of the low carbonate/bicarbonate ratio.
eight.four™ supplies a properly balanced (carbonate/bicarbonate) buffer system that yields an industry leading pK of 8.6 which makes pH maintenance of 8.3-8.5 easy. A higher pK increases the buffer’s ability to counteract inevitable acidic sources in the water. eight.four™ will safely raise marine pH while adjusting alkalinity. eight.four™ contains a concentrated, balanced blend of bicarbonate and carbonate salts designed to restore disrupted buffer systems and increase carbonate alkalinity.
If an alkalinity of 6 meq/L has been reached and a pH of at least 8.20 has not been attained, the system may be ionically unbalanced. Check magnesium levels. If magnesium is low, use ions™. However, if magnesium levels are within optimal range, the buffer ratio has likely been disrupted (the buffer ratio changes as a natural consequence of the buffer’s ability to counteract acidifying sources such as organic acids). You can raise pH without raising alkalinity using balance™.
Unlike competing products that require multi-day interval dosing when combined with carbonate supplements, eight.four™ can be dosed daily and within minutes of our calcification™ as well as balance™ and ions™
Directions
Dosing requirements will vary, but do not exceed the recommended dose without checking your pH and alkalinity (alkalinity should not exceed 6 meq/L). Use one inner capful (7 ml) for every 110 L (30 gallons*) daily until pH stabilizes to desired level.
pH stabilization may take from a day to a week, depending on original pH, alkalinity, and buffer system balance. Thereafter, use as needed to maintain pH.
Note: The aquavitro cap offers multiple dosing solutions depending on the size of your system. Each inner cap thread is approximately 2 mL. The inner cap contains 7 mL, while the outer ring contains 28 mL (35 mL when both are filled to the level of the inner cap.) When filled to the top, the cap contains 49 mL.
Use Seachem’s MultiTest™: Marine pH & Alkalinity to check pH and total alkalinity. For a complete analysis of alkalinity, use Seachem’s Reef Status™: Magensium & Carbonate/Borate Alkalinity kit.
