Technical Background

Controlled dissolution of aragonite within a reaction vessel has become one of the most effective and preferred methods of increasing and maintaining the calcium concentration, as well as the alkalinity, in reef aquaria with high-rates of calcification. In particular, high-energy reef systems dominated by small-polyp stony corals, as well as those with heavy coralline algae growth, can benefit from this method, the results being increased growth rates (relative to many other approaches) when all other physical and chemical requirements are met. Aditionally, this method of calcium/alkalinity supplementation is free of chloride, which can become elevated in aquaria utilizing chloride-based calcium supplements if regular partial water changes are not performed.

By weight, CoraLazarus is comprised of ~61 - 62% carbonates, ~37 - 38% calcium, ~0.75 - 0.85% strontium, ~0.1% magnesium, and <0.01% potassium; these percentages may vary between samples. It is collected in a clean environment and does not originate in bivalve-dominated reefs, the aragonite from which tends to be high in phosphate relative to aragonite formed by non-bivalves, in general. There is little magnesium in natural aragonite, and as such it is imperative that magnesium supplementation be employed in reef aquaria utilizing a calcium reactor. Failure to maintain magnesium at a minimal concentration of 1,290 ppm may result in difficulty maintaining the desired calcium concentration in the aquarium. One solution is to employ Brightwell Aquatics NēoMag (~13% magnesium by weight) in conjunction with CoraLazarus. NēoMag may also be used in secondary chambers of calcium reactors to help eliminate free CO2 that has not reacted with CoraLazarus, thereby simultaneously reducing the propensity for pH to exist at a depressed level in the aquarium and increasing the rate of media dissolution, and hence magnesium supplementation.