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One of the main ingredients for successfully growing SPS/LPS corals is lighting, and lighting of the correct spectrum of which corals best respond to and rapidly grow. Another important key ingredient is calcium and magnesium. Aquarists with larger tanks generally prefer to use a calcium reactor which makes it much easier to maintain the calcium level (400-440ppm) in a reef aquarium. Magnesium isn’t absorbs quite as fast is calcium is in a well stocked coral reef tank and this supplement is usually added on a weekly basis to maintain recommended level of 1280-1300ppm. A general guide line is to maintain magnesium levels on a 3 to 1 ratio with the calcium level. That is if the calcium level is 425ppm, the magnesium level should be close to 1275. Without this proper balance, corals cannot absorb the available calcium present in the system. To further clarify this so it is easier to understand, consider that if your calcium level is 420ppm, but your magnesium level is only 1100ppm, only 366ppm will be available to the corals. If your magnesium level is 1200ppm, then 400ppm of the 420ppm available calcium will be available to the corals. Calcium reactors are a good investment, particularly in larger systems for maintaining proper and stable calcium levels. How do calcium reactors work and what components do I need?
Graphic courtesy of www.marinedepot.com
Photo credit – Marine Depot
Hopefully I have explained in a concise way how a calcium reactors works and the components that are needed to properly use this device. By maintaining proper calcium and magnesium your SPS/LPS corals will take on much better coloration and increase the rate of growth. |
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