Tropic Marin Key product explanation

[Aqua-Digital]

With the immanent launch of the Tropic Marin range which will culminate in the near future launch also of the "genuine" balling system made only and directly by Hans Warner Balling himself I would like to highlight a few key products and concepts that I am sure will be of great interest.

First the balling system and as we are starting with the manual dosing system I thought this would be a great start.

Bio Calcium explained



BIO-CALCIUM adds Calcium, alkalinity and all 70 trace elements LIKE THE BALLING METHOD but in a one hit basis, ideal for those that do not want to dose individual elements or wish to use a doser.

The beauty of the system and also of course the more tuned Balling Method is that it adds all the elements you get in a natural sea water (including all 70 trace elements) but without adding excess sodium chloride. With 2 part and other "light" systems you are adding excess sodium chloride that puts the balance out with the other elements. Bio-Calcium and or following the full Balling Method eliminates this imbalance.

Bio Calcium is manually added to your sump in raw powder form

Key benefits:
- Adds all 70 trace elements including
strontium, molybdenum and iodine
- Only natural substances are formed
when dissolved
- Add directly to your tank,
no need to premix or drip.
- Supplies calcium carbonate for corals
and CO2 for the zooxanthellae.
- Will not influence pH of aquarium
if used as directed.
- Measured amount of calcium in a
truly ionically balanced formula

How to Use BIO-CALCIUM:
Calculate the total system water volume, being sure to take into account volume of live rock, external filters and sumps. Each level measuring spoonful (5 ml) raises the calcium level of 5 gallons (US)/4 gallons (Imp) of system water by 28 ppm.

Maximum recommended dose is one level scoop for each 5 gallons (US) / 4 gallons (Imp) of tank water per day.

For now I am keeping the thread closed while we add the other products of interest then we will open it for discussion.

[Aqua-Digital]

The next highly important topic is BIO ACTIV which in stand alone form is found in REEF ACTIF and PRO-CORAL REEF SNOW

So lets start with REEF ACTIV



In a nut shell REEF ACTIV is Tropic Marins carbon dosing system but with a lot more to it.

Tropic Marin REEF ACTIF
For Vitality and Colour in Corals and Reef Clams

Tropic Marin® REEF ACTIF performs a unique dual function as an adsorber and bacterial nutrient in saltwater aquariums. In doing this it assumes a central function as the link between inorganic nutrients and the biological population in the saltwater aquarium. REEF ACTIF is suspended in the aquarium water where it bonds with both nutrients and water contaminants making them available as nutrients to bacteria and other animals that feed on dissolved organic material in the saltwater.

These bonded nutrients make REEF ACTIF even more valuable as a source of beneficial bacterial nutrition thus strongly promoting the reduction of water contaminants. REEF ACTIF consists of long-chain molecules which can only be digested by specific organisms. This reduction is always gradual and insures that there is never any dangerous oxygen loss in the aquarium as can occur with many other types of bacterial nutrients.

Among the organisms that can utilize REEF ACTIF are the symbiotic bacteria which live in corals, sponges, tubeworms and many other filter feeding animals. The reduction in nutrients by REEF ACTIF operates so efficiently that corals and reef clams exhibit significantly improved vitality and display their brightest colours.

Tropic Marin PRO-CORAL REEF SNOW
A Natural Source of Nutrients for Corals and Other Filter Feeding Animals



Recently marine scientists have become increasingly aware of reef snow’s central function as a vital source of nutrients on natural coral reefs. Dissolving Tropic Marin® PRO-CORAL REEF SNOW in RO/DI water forms a thick solution that can be combined with nutrient supplements and foods such as Tropic Marin® LIPOVIT and PRO-CORAL ZOOTON and PHYTON to mimic this natural nutrient source.

When added to the reef aquarium, PRO-CORAL REEF SNOW together with the food and supplements form highly nutritious flakes similar to those of natural reef snow. By varying the concentration of the PRO-CORAL REEF SNOW solutions, the size of the flakes can be adjusted to the specific filter feeding animals maintained in the aquarium. The portion of PRO-CORAL REEF SNOW and the nutrients it contains which falls to the aquarium floor is only slowly decomposed by bacteria, thus further providing additional enriching nutrients.

In this way PRO-CORAL REEF SNOW also helps in reef aquaria as a food source for a wide variety of bottom dwellers. It is also a delicacy for worms, crustaceans, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, right up to gudgeons and other detritus feeding fish. The stirred up particles can be utilized again by the filter feeding animals as a valuable food source. Tip: Many fish happily devour larger flakes of PRO-CORAL REEF SNOW. As a prebiotic food, it promotes the natural intestinal flora and thus also helps prevent the spread of unwanted bacteria

[Aqua-Digital]

The final products for highlighting for now are

Pro Coral A
Pro Coral K



Combined the two products boost the carbon dosing positive and negative ions and also make up the 17 required trace elements. Both are supplied separately so they stay in solution longer and do not precipitate out. Dosed along with Reef Activ you have a highly effective carbon dosing system.

In the natural marine environment, essential trace elements exist in both anionic (negative) and cationic (positive) forms. With two complimentary solutions, PRO-CORAL K+ ELEMENTS and PRO-CORAL A- ELEMENTS supply the aquarium with all of the essential trace elements. The two solution approach guarantees optimum availability of the compounds and avoids unwanted reactions of the elements with each other.

Tropic Marin® PRO-CORAL A- ELEMENTS
Essential anionic trace element supplement for marine aquariums

Trace Elements are natural minerals, which have essential functions in many of the biological processes of living organisms. A severe trace element deficiency can lead to bleaching of corals. One trace element with particularly diverse associations is Iodine. It is often a component of hormones and strengthens the skeletal structures of sponges, gorgonias and crabs. There are no substitutions for trace elements, therefore, it is essential that all trace elements be added to the aquarium in a naturally balanced mixture.

TROPIC MARIN PRO-CORAL A- ELEMENTS is carefully formulated to support the healthy and continuous growth in the reef aquarium by replenishing all the essential anionic trace elements used by corals, invertebrates and algae.

PRO-CORAL A- ELEMENTS contains no phos-phates, chelates and other unnatural solvents.

PRO-CORAL A- ELEMENTS adds the following anionic trace elements to the aquarium: vanadium, molybdenum, selenium, fluorine, bromine, iodine, lithium.

Recommended dosage: Add 1 ml of PRO-CORAL A- ELEMENTS per 100 l / 25 gallons US-gal of total aquarium system water volume per day in the circulation flow of the system. Trace element demand increases with increased aquarium population density. In heavily populated aquariums, dosage may be increased up to the maximum dosage below.

Maximum dosage: Do not exceed a dosage of 2 ml per 100 l / 25 US-gallons of aquarium system water volume per day.

The regular dosing of PRO-CORAL ELEMENTS can be automated with a hose pump (dosing pump).

[Aqua-Digital]

Tropic Marin® PRO-CORAL K+ ELEMENTS


Trace Elements are natural minerals, which have essential functions in many of the biological processes of living organisms. Many cationic trace elements are associated with enzymes. These enzymes are not able to function properly without their associated trace element present.

Several trace elements are involved in photosynthesis while other trace elements support building and stabilization of calcareous skeletons. A severe trace element deficiency can lead to bleaching of corals. There are no substitutions for trace elements, therefore, it is essential that all trace elements be added to the aquarium in a naturally balanced mixture.

TROPIC MARIN PRO-CORAL K+ ELEMENTS is carefully formulated to support the healthy and continuous growth in the reef aquarium by replenishing all the essential cationic trace elements used by corals, invertebrates and algae.


PRO-CORAL K+ ELEMENTS contains no phos-phates, chelates and other unnatural solvents.

PRO-CORAL K+ ELEMENTS adds the following cationic trace elements to the aquarium: strontium, barium, chrome, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, boron.

Recommended dosage: Add 1 ml of PRO-CORAL K+ ELEMENTS per 100 l / 25 gallons US-gal of total aquarium system water volume per day in the circulation flow of the system. Trace element demand increases with increased aquarium population density. In heavily populated aquariums, dosage may be increased up to the maximum dosage below.

Maximum dosage: Do not exceed a dosage of 2 ml per 100 l / 25 US-gallons of aquarium system water volume per day.

The regular dosing of PRO-CORAL ELEMENTS can be automated with a hose pump (dosing pump).

THE THREAD IS NOW OPEN FOR QUESTIONS

[mrhasan]

1. Bio-calc: So, basically, this is a one container solution to two parts + balling right?

2. Reef actif: Since you talk about this being a product for ULNS, how would it compare to prodibio (thought you would be the perfect person to ask since you deal with both )

3. A & K: I am confused about this one. So, suppose a tank uses bio-calc; won't that cover everything related to trace elements? Correct me if I am wrong but this is just a stand alone balling solution (without the salts) right?

And how competitive is the price going to be with other similar products? TM always seems to be a bit steep in price

[Aqua-Digital]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

1. Bio-calc: So, basically, this is a one container solution to two parts + balling right?

2. Reef actif: Since you talk about this being a product for ULNS, how would it compare to prodibio (thought you would be the perfect person to ask since you deal with both )

3. A & K: I am confused about this one. So, suppose a tank uses bio-calc; won't that cover everything related to trace elements? Correct me if I am wrong but this is just a stand alone balling solution (without the salts) right?

And how competitive is the price going to be with other similar products? TM always seems to be a bit steep in price

1. Yep its basically Hans werner balling in a tub for manual dosing, it is ideal for smaller tanks where employing a doser system is not always an option, it also is ideal for those that want a simpler system with all the benefits other than independent control.

2. Both systems have their benefits, prodibio is very much geared towards the maintenance weary reefer it also benefits from the addition of other systems to boost the elements and colouration side, for example many users will add Zeo products to Prodibio. Tropic Marin is more user defined and controlled and can be used with Prodibio also.

3. no, different elements and importantly the BIO Calc does not have the polymers that A and K have. You need all 3 to really have Tropic marins carbon system. But can of course interchange as you wish to offer selective benefits to your tank.

[SoloSK71]

Would there still be a need to add a bacterial culture using the first two items?

Charles