B-Ionic Calcium Bicarbonate System is a specially formulated, lower pH version of our original B-Ionic
Calcium Buffer System. Some marine aquaria can naturally run at high pH levels (peaking over 8.45 pH)
if bright lighting, algae scrubbers, or extended photo periods drive carbon dioxide uptake from photosynthesis faster
than carbon dioxide replenishment from the atmosphere and heterotropic respiration. In these systems, it may be
counter-productive to use calcium and alkalinity supplements which put further demand on available carbon dioxide,
resulting in higher pH. Since high pH can limit calcium and carbonate alkalinity levels, these aquaria are best suited for
lower pH calcium and alkalinity supplementation methods, such as calcium carbonate reactors which deliver calcium
bicarbonate to the aquarium via dissolution from carbon dioxide injections.
Our new B-Ionic Calcium Bicarbonate System also delivers calcium bicarbonate, but without the high initial cost
of a calcium carbonate reactor, and without the fear of nutrient contamination from calcium carbonate media. B-Ionic
Calcium Bicarbonate System employs all of the benefits formulated into our original B-Ionic Calcium Buffer System, except
alkalinity is predominantly in the form of bicarbonate, rather than carbonate. When bicarbonate ions are used by
calcifying organisms to form their skeletons, carbon dioxide is released as a by-product, thereby lowering the system's
demand from other sources. Since B-Ionic Calcium Bicarbonate System does not raise pH, it need not be added daily,
depending on the calcium and alkalinity demand on the aquarium. Since calcium and alkalinity are in separate components,
these parameters can be adjusted independently compared to calcium carbonate reactors which deliver calcium and
alkalinity at a fixed ratio. Automated dosing systems are also available.
For aquaria which tend to run at lower pH levels, our original B-Ionic Calcium Buffer System would perform the best. B-Ionic
Calcium Bicarbonate System is one quarter the strength of our original formula because bicarbonate salts are less soluble
than carbonate salts. We've addressed this by lowering the price and offering a highly concentrated (partially powdered)
version in addition to the ready-to-use form. The aquarist simply fills the concentrate bottles with RO and/or DI water.
This reduces shipping costs and makes this product competitive with the purer calcium carbonate reactor media.
B-Ionic Calcium Bicarbonate System
# 144 - 64 fl. oz. unit (32 fl. oz. each component / treats 15 gallons up to 2 months)**
# 145 - 2 gal. refill unit (1 gal. each component / treats 120 gallons up to 2 months)**
