Red Sea Launch Reef Care Program

15/02/2011 15:45:00 cdurkin100

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The complete Reef Care Program is the product of years of research into the physiological demands of a reef aquarium’s SPS, LPS and Soft Corals. The program is divided into 4 distinct, but complementary, sub-programs according to biological process.

The foundation elements

Ca, KH, Mg

A successful coral reef aquarium depends on how well you maintain the water parameters which are the key to a stable coral environment. All of the elements found in natural seawater play a role in providing optimal water parameters, but some are more significant than others. These elements, the foundation of the reef environment, include the three major elements: Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Carbonates (CO3). All three have a major effect on water chemistry (pH stability, Alkalinity, ionic strength) and on many of the coral’s biological processes (skeleton formation, ions exchange, photosynthesis).
The foundation elements complement each other in the formation of coral skeleton. If not balanced correctly one of the elements will quickly limit healthy coral growth.
Reef Foundation - Supplements

Reef Foundation A: Contains Calcium, Strontium, and Barium according to the ratios found in coral skeleton. Concentration: 1ml will raise the Ca level of 100 liters (25 gal) by 2ppm

Reef Foundation B (Alk): A complex of carbonate and other buffers present in seawater that maintain proper alkalinity and pH. Concentration: 1ml will raise the alkalinity of 100 liters (25gal) by 0.36 meq/l (1dKH)

Reef Foundation C (Mg): A blend of Magnesium salts. Concentration: 1ml will raise the Mg level of 100 liters (25gal) by 1ppm.

Reef Foundation A, B & C are available as liquid supplements in 500ml bottles and include a measuring cup for easy dosin

This program provides the controlled nitrate & phosphate reduction that prevents nuisance algae and the fine control of Zooxanthellae populations that significantly affect coral growth rates and coloration.
Algae Management

NO3:PO4-X

NO₃:PO₄-X Contains a unique complex of carbons that are used by nutrient-reducing bacteria. Each carbon is utilized by different strains of microorganisms while maintaining the specific Carbon: Nitrogen: Phosphorus ratio required for each stage. The complex includes other organic bonded elements that are important stimulators in each stage of the reduction process. These metal and non-metals elements ensure steady bacterial propagation and complete nitrate reduction to nitrogen gas and the absorption and utilization of phosphate by the bacteria.

The fine control of the nitrate and phosphate levels provided by monitored dosing of NO₃:PO₄-X guarantees the gradual changes and accurate maintenance of the nutrient levels, preventing destruction of the zooxanthellae population that can cause UV shock and starvation of the corals.

Unlike some other low-nutrient regimes, correct use of NO₃:PO₄-X will maintain all of the beneficial micro fauna.

NO₃:PO₄-X is also recommended as a complete carbon source for use with carbon based de-nitrators.

NO₃:PO₄-X, available in 500ml and 1000ml bottles, also includes a measuring cup for easy dosing.

Reef Nutrition Program

This program provides the carbohydrates, vitamins and amino acids that fuel coral’s metabolic processes.

Most of the corals in reef aquariums are considered to be photosynthetic as they receive the majority of their energy requirements from their photosynthetic, symbiotic zooxanthellae algae. In nature, these corals derive approximately 85% of their energy from the zooxanthellae, and produce the remaining 15% in their soft tissue by metabolizing nutrients that are available in the surrounding water.

It is therefore essential that you to provide a balanced mix of the carbohydrates, vitamins, and amino & fatty acids to meet the coral’s energy demands. The amount required depends on the type of corals stocked. The nutritional requirements of SPS corals, in particular, depend on the levels of algae nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) in the water. In reduced algae nutrient systems (e.g., when using Red Sea’s NO₃:PO₄-X), the amount of energy the corals receive from the zoxanthellae is significantly reduced; therefore, higher levels of coral nutrients are needed to meet the coral’s energy demands.

In order to avoid any undesirable interactions between these nutritional components, Red Sea’s Reef Nutrition Program is divided into 2 complementary products.
The supplements

Reef Energy A is a unique formulation of carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, and suspended protein flocks that are available for direct consumption and absorption by the corals. The components, proven to be utilized in the metabolic processes of coral protein production and soft tissue regeneration, do not introduce any unnecessary organic material to the system. Reef Energy A stimulates extension of the polyps and soft tissue, helping the coral optimize nutrient consumption by expanding its surface area for absorption.
Reef Energy B is a highly concentrated complex of Vitamins and Amino acids that were found to be the limiting factors in the nutritional demands of corals and other invertebrates. This complex replenishes the vitamins and MAA (marine amino acids) produced by Zooxanthellae: Vitamins are important precursors in the synthesis of chromo proteins while the amino acids are their building blocks. All of the components in Reef Energy B come from marine sources and are emulsified in a unique medium that enhances their solubility and absorption by the corals.

Reef Energy A & B, available in 500ml bottles, also include a measuring cup for easy dosing.

Provide the essential minor and trace elements that are part of the coral skeleton and soft tissue and are specifically important for SPS corals to display their natural pigments.
Red Sea’s research has identified 31 minor and trace elements that, in addition to the foundation elements, are present in coral’s skeleton and soft tissue. The Reef Color supplement family divides these elements into four groups (Reef Colors A, B, C & D), with that are related by the biological functions they perform and are also associated with the production of specific color pigments in the soft tissue of stony corals. These pigments can be produced only if the specific elements required for the bio-chemical process are available in the correct concentration. All stony corals require all of these 31 elements, irrespective of the actual color the coral displays
Reef colors

Supplementing to a measured uptake

Reef colors supplements have been formulated such that the ratio of the elements in each supplement is the same as that found in the skeleton and soft tissue of corals. Our research has identified a constant ratio between each of the Reef Colors and the overall consumption of calcium, which is proportional to coral growth and metabolic activity. This provides a simple and safe method, based on a measured calcium uptake, of dosing all color supplements.

Reef Colors A, B & C each contain a leading element (Iodine, Potassium and Iron) that is accurately measurable with Red Sea’s unique Reef Colors Pro test kits. For more advanced LPS and SPS aquariums, Colors A, B & C can be dosed precisely, in accordance to the reef’s total demand for these elements.
Reef Coloration Program

Supplements

Reef Color A: A complex of halogens (Iodine, Bromine and Fluorine). The halogens act both as antioxidants and oxidative agents within the soft tissue and mucus layer of corals, reducing the possibility of coral bleaching. In active reef systems, these elements are depleted quickly due to their high oxidative abilities and reactivity with organic materials. Iodine and bromine are related to the pink chromo-protein (pocciloporin)
Reef Color B: A complex of Potassium and Boron. Potassium plays an essential role in the transportation of coral nutrients within the soft tissue (including the nutrients provided by the Zooxanthellae). Potassium and Boron significantly affect the alkalinity of a coral’s soft tissue and the formation of aragonite in its skeleton. Potassium is related to the red chromo-proteins.
Reef Color C: A complex of 8 “light” metals that includes Iron, Manganese, Cobalt, Copper, Aluminum, Zinc, Chrome and Nickel. These micro-elements are essential to many bio-chemical metabolic processes, including respiration, production of energy, chlorophyll and photosynthetic catalysts. C elements are related to the green/yellow chromo-proteins.
Reef Color D: A complex of 18 trace elements. These 18 elements (out of all the trace elements in NSW) participate in the metabolic processes inside a coral’s skeleton and soft tissue. D elements are related to the blue/purple chromo-proteins.

All Reef Colors Supplements are available in 500ml bottles and include a measuring cup for easy dosing.