Reef Basis and Coral Color is a new handful of additives from Continuum Aquatics that aims to simplify the complete dosing of minerals and trace elements for reef tanks. Reef Basis KH Buffer, Calcium +, and Magnesium handle the mineral balance of aquarium chemistry, while Coral Color Intense H, Intense M and Intense V help to round out virtually every other biochemical needs of aquarium corals and reef animals.
For years the reef aquarium hobby has primarily focused on maintaining appropriate levels of calcium, alkalinity and magnesium for optimal coral growth, usually in an optimized approach we now call simple two part or three part dosing. However with reef aquarists now striving to no just have great coral growth but also maximum coral color, the importance of trace elements, amino acids and vitamins has become a more important part of the conversation.
For those of us striving to give our corals the best chance for fast growth and intense, vibrant coral coloration, piecing together amino acids, vitamins, and diverse groups of trace elements can really be a process of trial and error to get everything in balance. The really innovative part of Continuum Aquatics’ six new bottles of reef aquarium additives is that they are intended to be used in specific ratios.
We’ve seen ratios and proportions of additives promoted as a technique by other companies, but we believe Reef Basis together with Coral Color is the most complete offering ever released in so few solutions. Naturally, the calcium, alkalinity and magnesium components are used as needed to maintain appropriate levels of each. But using the concentration of calcium as the indicator of coral growth and uptake, the dosing of Coral Color Intense V, Intense H & Intense M provides a complete suite of Halogens, Vitamins, Amino Acids and major & minor trace elements.
If you’re at a level of reefing where you’re still wrapping your head around the maintenance of the big three elements – calcium, magnesium and alkalinity – by all means carry on with that path. However if your corals are growing pretty well, your mineral balance is dialed in but you’re interested in getting more vibrant, colorful and thriving corals, Continuum’s three Coral Color additives is a very promising and complete technique to taking your corals and reef tank to the next level. [Continuum Aquatics]
