ION-B CA/MG+ powder mix

If you want to know more:

1.Consumption of calcium and alkalinity (carbonate hardness) and their relationship to each other

Coral growth in a saltwater aquarium constantly consumes alkalinity (carbonate hardness) and calcium. This is because stony corals form skeletons made of calcium carbonate (Ca-CO3). The calcium and carbonate consumed through growth must be constantly replaced in the aquarium. In order to form the coral skeleton, the coral needs around 7mg of calcium for every 1° dKH. In relation to growth, the ratio between carbonate and calcium is therefore around 1:7.

We have taken this fact into account with the Nyos® ION-B system: With equal amounts of the ALK/PH solution and the CA/MG solution, alkalinity and carbonate are also added in a ratio of approx. 1:7, so that ideal and balanced conditions for coral growth are created.

Even though individual consumption may vary depending on the aquarium due to further metabolic processes, the dosage of alkalinity and calcium is much easier, since both solutions are consumed to a similar extent.

2. Ion Shift: What is ion shift and why is it important to avoid it?

In many conventional methods, the calcium and carbonate consumed by the corals is added in the form of calcium chloride and sodium (bi)carbonate. The problem with this is that the sodium and chloride contained in them is not consumed by the corals and accumulates in the aquarium over time. This permanent enrichment of the aquarium water with sodium chloride leads over time to a gradual shift in the entire seawater matrix. This so-called ion shift is noticeable in water analyses, for example, when the sulfate value or the potassium value is too low. This can be the cause of numerous problems, including old tank syndrome. Regular water changes can alleviate this problem, but cannot prevent it.

The Nyos® ION-B method also leads to additional sodium chloride. The difference to classic methods, however, is that the missing ions (e.g. sulfate, potassium) are immediately compensated for with the addition, so that no ion shift occurs.

3.pH stabilization

The pH in a saltwater aquarium should be around 8.0-8.3. Originally, it was given little attention and was neglected. In recent years, it has become clear that the pH plays a central role in the growth and vitality of corals. In saltwater aquariums with a classic supply based on sodium bicarbonate, it is quite common for the pH to drop by around 0.5 at night. This can manifest itself in corals turning white "overnight" and dying.

Nyos® ION-B ALK/PH+ is not only a means of balancing carbonate hardness, but also simultaneously stabilizes the pH in the target range of 8.0-8.3. The pH drop at night is avoided.

4. Trace elements

The necessity of using trace elements has been known in reef tanks for decades.

The introduction of modern water analysis offers completely new possibilities for monitoring the consumption of trace elements in saltwater aquariums. In the process, new insights have also emerged into which trace elements are relevant and in what proportion they are consumed. Important individual elements such as vanadium, rubidium or selenium were often neglected in the past. It is also now known that certain elements such as iron and zinc must be specially stabilized, otherwise they are not available.

This is exactly where the new Nyos® ION ELEMENTS 1 CA/MG, 2 CA/MG, 3 ALK/PH come into play:

• State-of-the-art trace element mixtures based on real consumption of modern reef aquariums
• Full range supply of all important trace elements including vanadium, selenium, rubidium
• “Fast-volatile” elements such as iron or zinc are stabilized and directly available
• Adjustable to your tank’s consumption
• Easy dosing by adding to the Nyos® ION-B CA/MG+ and ALK/PH+ solutions
• No pH increase and stabilization. This leads to the dreaded drop in pH at night.
• Very different amounts of calcium and alkalinity solutions are required. This means that no conclusion can be drawn as to whether calcium and alkalinity are added in a balanced ratio.
• Increased risk of an empty container going unnoticed as containers become empty at different times.
• The alkalinity solution is significantly less concentrated than the ION-B ALK/PH+, so a larger container is required.
• No ion balancing takes place. This effect cannot be prevented and must therefore be weakened through excessive water changes. Over time, this leads to problems in the aquarium, including old tank syndrome.

5.Comparison Nyos® ION-B and balling (two part) method

In the balling (two part) methods used in practice, only calcium chloride dihydrate and sodium hydrogen carbonate are dosed. In our opinion, this has numerous disadvantages compared to the Nyos® ION-B method:

• No pH increase and stabilization. This leads to the dreaded drop in pH at night.
• Very different amounts of calcium and alkalinity solutions are required. This means that no conclusion can be drawn as to whether calcium and alkalinity are added in a balanced ratio.
• Increased risk of an empty container going unnoticed as containers become empty at different times.
• The alkalinity solution is significantly less concentrated than the ION-B ALK/PH+, so a larger container is required.
• No ion balancing takes place. This effect cannot be prevented and must therefore be weakened through excessive water changes. Over time, this leads to problems in the aquarium, including old tank syndrome.