Sea Lab no 28 blocks - kilo

[Mr Cob]

Without regular water changes the system quickly falls below 400 and hits 300 in no time. With regular water changes I can keep it just under 400...so far with this block I have been up above 400, I'd like to be at 440...but I'll be happy if it keeps me at 400.

Tossed it in on Monday. 02/06.2012

[Mr Cob]

I don't suppose it will be this easy, but once your water levels reach 400ppm, does it stop disolving?

that's the claim...my brain has a hard time processing that though, I just can't get passed "time dissolve".

[allan]

I was thinking somethng like homeostasis (??), but without a mechinism to allow it...

This thing pretty much disolves away to nothing, right? Seems like you're already noting some good out of it if it's keeping you above 400. I haven't checked my calcium in a long time, but I noticed now with the water changes and the additional scoop of kalkwasser I'm getting a lot of new growth from my SPS.

[Mr Cob]

quote from Sea-Lab:

No. 28 Automatic Replenisher
Manufactured by Sea-Lab
Sea-Lab Formula 28 is a mixture of naturally occurring buffer compounds that maintains natural ocean concentrations of calcium, strontium, and all 15 essential trace elements. Calcium and strontium are well recognized nutrients, but trace elements are not as well understood. They are, however, vitally necessary to marine life in the aquarium. Paradoxically, these same elements so essential to life, are also highly toxic. The trick is to tread the fine line between trace element starvation and trace element toxicity. Formula 28 is the first formula available to hobbyists and professionals that creates and maintains this fine balance. As elements are depleted from solution, Formula 28 delivers exactly equivalent amounts to replace them. Formula 28 stabilizes acid/alkaline balance (pH), and also prevents toxic ammonia buildup.

Instructions for Use:
Since Formula 28 is fully buffered, this is a constant supply of essential trace elements and no possibility of toxic overload, so dosage and application are extremely uncritical. The blocks can be placed in any location where there is a moderate current. When the blocks are mostly dissolved, add a similar number as recommended in the dosage.

[Cammed_02]

Would this benefit tanks that are softie dominated as well, or mostly tanks with lots of SPS?

[Scutterborn]

This seems to be a very interesting thread that I will be keeping an eye on. Interested to see how well it does vs what it says...

[mkengr45]

I have never heard anything good about them, but I have never used them myself. It will be interesting to see what the results are.

[allan]

I would imagine the primary purpose would be to assist with calcium, right? Softies don't have a large calcium requirement.

[profntbtr]

i have found that the blocks maintain levels pretty well, except for alkalinity, notice i didn't give you numbers because i don't have any. i just know that my corals were doing ok with just the blocks, but some of them were not thriving. when i started adding the alkalinity solution of b-ionic, everything perked up, the bonsai i got from allan is rapidly encrusting, and i'm getting new upright growth from parts that weren't even encrusted when i got the frag. the slimer i had been worried about losing is showing signs of new growth fluting away from the old skeleton, and the only thing i have changed was the addition of part number 2. most of the arguments against this product stem from the manufacturer's claim that it will adjust dissolution rates to replenish specific elements. while variable self regulation is preposterous, it doesn't make the blocks any less effective at adding a variety of elements over an extended period of time. you will still have to dose for alkalinity, so it's not set it and forget it, but if you forget for a day or two it isn't such a big deal. they have worked well for me, my corals are very healthy and adding new growth daily.

[ShAgMaN]

I have used the No.28 medium blocks for years and they were awesome for maintaining calcium...however my Ph ran consistently low...but with no problems. I ran into problems when I decided to ditch the blocks and buffer and mess with Alk and Ph. BTW, I use tap aqua. I'm finally back to coral recovery after returning to the blocks and running GFO.

IMO, these blocks kick butt for adding calcium, and my corals from SPS to softies thrived, but that’s just my experience.