Seachem Reef Complete

[christyf5]

Taken from http://www.aquariacentral.com/articles/calcium.shtml

Polygluconate Calcium:
This calcium additive is typically purchased in the form of a liquid that is poured into the aquarium. The appropriate dose is determined based on aquarium gallonage, then poured into the aquarium. The most prominent manufacturer of this product is Seachem and is sold under the name Reef Calcium. The advantage of this method of addition is the ease of use. It can be measured and poured with speed and ease. It will not affect pH or alkalinity.

The disadvantages include reports that this method of calcium addition is best used for maintenance, not increasing calcium, as the amounts of calcium that can safely be introduced are relatively small. This type of calcium is "chelated"; meaning that the calcium is released in a time released formulation. Thus, typically other methods must be utilized to increase calcium levels. Additionally, due to its chelated formulation, special test kits must be used to measure the aquarium calcium levels. False readings will be obtained with typical calcium test kits. Finally, it has been anecdotally reported that the use of polygluconate calcium can cause problem algae blooms. The manufacturer denies this is a possibility, and many hobbyists report using the product without problem algae blooms.

I was under the impression that polygluconate was a sugar however seachem disputes this:

Gluconate is a carbohydrate; fish foods also contain carbohydrates, either directly or within cellular DNA/RNA (DNA and RNA both contain cyclic carbohydrates (5 membered furanose rings) as their backbone). So the risk of a problem from Reef Calcium™ is equivalent to the risk from using fish food. The key here is that Reef Calcium™ is not being added in excess to what the tank can support. When the calcium is utilized the carbon component is also necessarily utilized and will not build up. If you overfeed your fish you're going to cause a problem, and if your overuse Reef Calcium™ you can run into a similar problem.

They then go on to say that because the calcium is complexed with polygluconate its charge is neutralized and the complex can be passively transported across coral cell membranes and the coral doesn't have to work as hard to get the calcium.

I dunno. I'd be tempted to ask why, if calcium-polygluconate complexes are so fabulous, isn't everyone else using them except seachem??

Christy