How To Dose Red Sea Reef Care Products
Red Sea have become one of the most well-known developers of saltwater products and hardware in the world. In fact, it would be quite easy for a reefer to set up and run a tank exclusively using only Red Sea products. Red Sea have become so popular because they do not compromise of quality, every product has been researched in-house, and they work. In this article we will look at how to dose Red Sea Reef Care Products.
How to dose Red Sea Calcium+ Supplement
FOUNDATION® A is a calcium and strontium complex used to maintain the calcium level in a saltwater aquarium. Once again, the level at which you choose to keep your calcium is up to you. Red Sea has offered guidance as always if you are unsure. Your calcium can range from 370ppm (mg/l) for a fish only system, up to 465ppm (mg/l) for a frag tank. The average mixed reef recommendation according to Red Sea should be 450ppm (mg/l).
FOUNDATION® A is supplied in both a ready-mixed liquid form, and in a powdered form. The powdered-form mixing rate is:
Metric: Dissolve 1kg of FOUNDATION® A powder in 1.82L (1820ml) of RODI water
Imperial: Dissolve 2.2lb of FOUNDATION® A powder in 3.8 pints of RODI water
FOUNDATION® A power mixes to the same concentration as the ready-made liquid, therefore both can be used side by side without worrying about dosage rates.
FOUNDATION® A mixed powder dosage rate: 1ml of solution in 100L (25 gallons) achieves an increase of 2ppm. For example, if you needed to raise your calcium level by 6ppm in a 300L aquarium, you would need to dose 9ml of FOUNDATION® A stock solution.
FOUNDATION® A ready-made liquid dosage rate: Both the powdered mix and the ready-made liquid have the same concentration, therefore the dosage rate is the same too.
How to dose Red Sea KH/alkalinity
FOUNDATION® B is a carbonate and buffer complex used to maintain the alkalinity of your saltwater aquarium. The level at which you keep your alkalinity is up to you as a reefer, but Red Sea do provide you with the guidance if you are not entirely sure. This ranges from 7dKH (2.5meq/l) for Ultra Low Nutrient Systems up to 12.6dKH (4.5meq/l) for frag tanks. The average mixed reef tank, according to Red Sea, should be 8dKH (2.9meq/l).
FOUNDATION® B is supplied in both ready-made liquid form, and in a powdered form. If you choose to use the powdered form then the mixing rate is:
Metric: Dissolve 1kg of FOUNDATION® B powder in 10L of RODI water
Imperial: Dissolve 2.2lb of FOUNDATION® B powder in 21 pints of RODI water
- 1 Ltr Red Sea Reefer Foundation B Alkalin
- based of years of biological analysis of corals and what they intake when they grow
- Using ultra pure raw products
FOUNDATION® B powder mixes to a lower concentration than the ready-made liquid, therefore if you choose to use both be aware that they have different dosage rates.
FOUNDATION® B mixed powder dosage rate: 3ml of solution in 100L (25 gallons) achieves an increase of 0.1dKH in alkalinity. For example, if you needed to increase your alkalinity by 1.2dKH in a 300L aquarium, you would need to dose 108ml of FOUNDATION® B stock solution.
FOUNDATION® B liquid concentration dosage rate: 1ml of solution in 100L (25 gallons) achieves an increase of 0.1dKH in alkalinity. For example, if you needed to increase your alkalinity by 1.2dKH in a 300L aquarium, you would need to dose 36ml of FOUNDATION® B liquid concentrate solution.
How to dose Red Sea Magnesium
FOUNDATION® C is a magnesium supplement used to maintain the calcium level in a saltwater aquarium. The level at which you choose to keep your magnesium is up to you again, but Red Sea has offered guidance as usual if you are need it. Your magnesium can range from 1100ppm (mg/l) for a fish only system, up to 1390ppm (mg/l) for a frag tank. The average mixed reef recommendation according to Red Sea should be 1350ppm (mg/l).
FOUNDATION® C is supplied in both a ready-mixed liquid form, and in a powdered form. The powdered-form mixing rate is:
Metric: Dissolve 1kg of FOUNDATION® C powder in 1.67L (1670ml) of RODI water
Imperial: Dissolve 2.2lb of FOUNDATION® C powder in 3.5 pints of RODI water
- Reef Foundation C is a magnesium complex for balanced formation of coral skeletons. It contains blended salts of Magnesium and is part of Red Sea's complete Reef Care program. For best results dose according to a measured uptake of magnesium and in conjunction with Reef Foundation A and Reef Foundation B.
- Liquid. 1 liter.
- Concentration: 1 ml will raise the Mg level of 100 liters (25gal) by 1 ppm
FOUNDATION® C power will mix to the same concentration as the ready-made liquid, therefore both can be used side by side without thinking about different dosage rates.
FOUNDATION® C mixed powder dosage rate: 1ml of solution in 100L (25 gallons) achieves an increase of 1ppm. For example, if you needed to raise your magnesium level by 5ppm in a 300L aquarium, you would need to dose 15ml of FOUNDATION® C stock solution.
FOUNDATION® C ready-made liquid dosage rate: Both the powdered mix and the ready-made liquid have the same concentration, therefore the dosage rate is the same too.
- Red Sea Foundation A,B,C (3 bottles) aquarium liquid supplement combo pack, 500ml each, plus exclusive notepad as a gift
- Red Sea's Reef Care Program for optimal aquarium coral health
- Reef Foundation A (Calcium, Strontium & Barium)
How to determine Red Sea FOUNDATION® uptake
At some juncture, when you are determining your dosage quantities to maintain stable levels, you will need to find out what your tank uptake is. Exactly how much KH, Ca and Mg does your aquarium consume over a given period. The easiest way to determine the uptake is as follows:
- Make a note of your current levels.
- Stop dosing for 4 days. This includes water changes.
- On the end of the fourth day test your levels again and make a note of the drop.
- Work out how much each level has dropped.
- Equate the result to dosage millilitres
- Take the difference and divide it by 4
- The result will be the daily uptake in millilitres, which you will need to dose.
EXAMPLE IN A 200L AQUARIUM: Test your KH on day one. Let us say it is 8.6dKH. Stop dosing and do not do water changes for 4 days. Retest again on the end of day 4. Let us say that it is now 8dKH. This means that there has been an uptake of 0.6dKH over 4 days. Work out what 0.6dKH equates to in FOUNDATION® B millilitres. If you are using the ready-made liquid, 1ml/100L = 0.1dKH, therefore to raise the alkalinity by 0.6dKH in a 200L tank, you need to add 12ml. Then divide 12ml by 4 days. Now you know that your daily dosage is 3ml.
What is the maximum dosage of Red Sea FOUNDATION® products?
Red Sea specify a maximum daily dosage for each product to prevent stress caused to corals. If you need to make larger adjustments, it should be done over a few days.
Calcium maximum daily dosage is 20ppm
Alkalinity maximum daily dosage is 1.4dKH (0.5meq/l)
Magnesium maximum daily dosage is 10ppm
It is a very good idea to work out your personal maximum daily dosage, based on your aquarium volume, from the outset Keep this information to hand should you need to use it.
How to add Red Sea SKELETAL ELEMENTS ABC+
FOUNDATION® ABC+ incorporates FOUNDATION® A, FOUNDATION® B and FOUNDATION® C and Red Sea Coral Colours A & B.
FOUNDATION® ABC+ can be used on a daily or even weekly basis determined by your calcium uptake. The ratio at which uptake occurs in each individual tank can become unbalanced, at which point you will need to dose individual FOUNDATION® products to rebalance the levels. FOUNDATION® ABC+ is only recommended for aquariums up to 300L.
FOUNDATION® ABC+ is supplied in a powder form only and is not diluted in RODI water, instead it should be added directly to your sump.
Dosage rate: 1g will raise the calcium level in a 100L (25 gallons) aquarium by 1.5ppm
- Reef foundation ABC+ powder supplement is a foundation element complex for the balanced formation of coral skeletons
- Calcium, magnesium, strontium and carbonate are the basic foundation elements of coral skeletons
- All of these elements need to be available in balanced proportions for coral health and growth
You should be provided with a spoon in the package that has the ability to measure 2g on one end and 20g on the other. By adding the desired increment to your system, you are raising the calcium level, and raising the alkalinity and magnesium levels in balance. If you find you need to add FOUNDATION® ABC+ on a daily basis to meet the uptake needs of your tank, you will need to test KH, Ca and Mg on a weekly basis to ensure all elements are remaining stable. If you only need to add FOUNDATION® ABC+ on a weekly basis, then check your KH, Ca and Mg on a monthly basis to ensure all are stable.
How to treat with Red Sea TRACE-COLORS A|B|C|D Supplement
Trace-colors A|B|C|D provides 31 minor and trace elements required by corals, supplied in 4 separate bottles.
Trace colors A includes halogens (I2, Br2, F2)
Trace colors B includes Potassium and Boron
Trace colors C includes Fe & 7 complimentary metals
Trace color D includes 18 bioactive trace elements
Red Sea Trace-colors can be bought as a 4-pack or individually.
Dosage of Trace-colors A|B|C|D is determined by either testing of the color elements, or testing of calcium every week. If you would like to dose according to the uptake of calcium in your aquarium, then add 1ml of trace color supplement from each bottle for every 20ppm of calcium you add to your system.
- Coral Coloration A, B, C And D Supplements Provides Hobbyists Of All Levels The Opportunity Control And Enhance The Growth And Coloration Of Corals
- Coral Colors A, B, C And D Supplements Contain The 31 Minor And Trace Elements Present In The Skeleton And Soft Tissue Of All Coral
- Coral Colors A, B, C and D should only be dosed according to a measured requirement of the aquarium
How to dose Red Sea NO3:PO4-X ALGAE MANAGEMENT (NOPOX)
NOPOX ALGAE MANAGEMENT is Red Sea’s answer to the control of both nitrate and phosphate. NOPOX is a unique complex of carbon substances and other organically bound elements that enhances the activity of nutrient reducing bacteria. In simple terms, NOPOX increases the population of bacteria responsible for breaking down nitrate, and to a certain extent phosphate.
NOPOX ALGAE MANAGEMENT dosage is determined by the measured NO3 in your system.
For mixed reef aquariums, fish only tanks and frag tanks the following guidance applies:
Measured NO3 above 10ppm – Dose daily 3ml per 100L (25 gallons)
Measured NO3 above 2.5 ppm and below 10 ppm – Dose daily 2ml per 100L (25 gallons)
Measured NO3 above 1 ppm and below 2.5 ppm – Dose daily 1ml per 100L (25 gallons)
If your nitrate drops to below 1 ppm, reduce your daily dose by 50%. Test nitrate twice a week and adjust the dosage until it nitrate become stable between 1 ppm and 2.5 ppm.
- NO3 PO4-X NITRATE & PHOSPHATE REDUCER 1 LITER
- RED SEA FISH PHARM LTD.
- RED NO3 & PO4 REDUCER 1 LITER
For SPS dominant and ULNS (ultra low nutrient systems) the following guidance applies:
Measured NO3 above 10 ppm – Dose daily 3ml per 100L (25 gallons)
Measured NO3 above 1 ppm and below 10 ppm – Dose daily 2ml per 100L (25 gallons)
Measured NO3 above 0.25 ppm and below 1 ppm – Dose daily 2ml per 100L (25 gallons)
Measured NO3 above 2.5 ppm and below 10ppm & Measured PO4 above 0.02 ppm but below 0.04 ppm– Dose daily 1ml per 100L (25 gallons)
If your nitrate drops to below 0.25 ppm, and your phosphate drops to below 0.02 ppm, reduce your daily dose by 50%. Test nitrate twice a week and adjust the dosage until it nitrate become stable at your desired level.
NOPOX ALGAE MANAGEMENT should not be used without an efficient protein skimmer. This is critical for its safe use.
How to use Red Sea REEF ENERGY® PLUS AB+
REEF ENERGY® PLUS is Red Sea’s All-in-one coral superfood that has demonstrated in their long-term laboratory testing to increase coral growth rate by up to 15%. To avoid spoilage REEF ENERGY® PLUS must be kept in the refrigerator. If you intend to auto dose, it cannot be unrefrigerated for more than a week.
REEF ENERGY® PLUS suggested dosage rates are as follows:
SPS Frags – Dose 4ml per 100L (25 gallons) daily
Mixed Reef – Dose 4ml per 100L (25 gallons) daily
SPS Dominant – Dose 8ml per 100L (25 gallons) daily
ULNS – Dose 12ml per 100L (25 gallons) daily
REEF ENERGY® PLUS can be dosed by broadcast feeding and direct feeding with the flow turned off. The skimmer should also be turned off for at least half an hour after feeding to prevent overflowing.
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