By trace elements in reef aquariums we usually mean elements which are present in natural sea water in a concentration lower than approx. 1 mg/L or ppm.

Many elements fulfil this criterion and most of these are necessary as they make many essential biological functions possible. Manganese for instance, is essential for the many biochemical reactions, which make photosynthesis possible and Molybdenum is necessary for denitrification. Iron makes the utilisation of organic compounds by algae possible and Cobalt is essential for the formation of several coral pigments. Zinc, like Manganese, is essential for photosynthesis and is also used in the formation of calcium carbonate by corals.

Some trace elements are depleted very fast while others are depleted very slowly or not at all. For example, Molybdenum is hardly depleted at all. As most trace element additives contain Molybdenum adding these to the aquarium water can result in a far too high molybdenum concentration which can stimulate undesirable cyanobacteria growth. Salifert æs trace element additives do not contain molybdenum.

Since different trace elements are depleted at different rates, and since every aquarium is different it is very difficult to design trace element formulations in such a way that sufficient amounts of trace elements are replenished without resulting in a significant overdosing. The major difference between the depletion of trace elements is between hard corals and soft/leather corals and coralline algae. Salifert have therefore designed two distinct trace element mixes which can be combined according to the approximate ratio of the aquarium inhabitants

Without trace elements life would have been impossible. All corals and invertebrates use trace elements. This additive, which is made from the finest substances, is especially designed for hard corals. It supplies them with trace elements which they use for their health and growth.

If you have soft/leather corals as well you might consider combining it with Trace Soft.

Trace hard does not contain Iodine, molybdenum, lithium, rubidium or strontium.

Sizes :

8oz : 250ml
16oz : 500ml

Without trace elements life would have been impossible. All corals and invertebrates use trace elements. This additive, which is made from the finest substances, is especially designed for soft / leather corals and coralline algae. It supplies them with trace elements which they use for their health and growth.

If you have hard corals as well you might consider combining it with Trace Hard.

Trace Soft does not contain Iodine, molybdenum, lithium, rubidium or strontium.

Sizes :

8fl.oz. : 250ml
16fl.oz. : 500ml

Calcium is a major constituent of calcareous algae, skeletal material of hard corals and the skeletal needles of soft / leather corals. Calcium also fulfils many biological functions. These processes result in a depletion of calcium. Quite often a too low calcium concentration retards growth of corals and calcareous algae. Natural Sea water contains 420-450 mg/L calcium. This is also the value we should strive for. For a stable aquarium environment the fluctuation in calcium content should not be more than approx. 15 mg/L.

If calcium is depleted because of growth of corals and coralline algae then supplements such as KH+pH Buffer and Strontium are also required, since these form together with calcium the major ingredients of shells, coralline algae and the skeletal material of corals.

Sizes :

8oz : 250ml
16oz : 500ml

It is a highly concentrated, fast dissolving powder which increases alkalinity (carbonate hardness) and stabilizes the the pH at the correct level. In these ways it contributes significantly to the health of all aquarium inhabitants including corals, coralline algae and fish.

Sizes :

8.45 fl. oz : 250ml
16 fl.oz. : 500ml

Sizes :

8.45 fl. oz : 250ml
16 fl.oz. : 500ml

Magnesium is present in Natural Sea Water in a fairly high concentration (1350 - 1500 mg/L) Magnesium is an essential part of chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis. Without photosynthesis algae and hence the corals, which we have in our aquariums, would not survive. Magnesium also has another important function in that it allows maintaining the correct combination of calcium concentration and alkalinity or carbonate hardness possible. Maintaining a correct Magnesium concentration is therefore very important and is indirectly responsible for fast coral and calcareous algae growth. Magnesium is depleted by algae growth and also by the use of excessive kalkwasser or by going too far beyond natural calcium, alkalinity and pH values.

Sizes :

8.45fl. oz : 250 ml
16fl.oz. : 500ml

Sizes :

8.45fl. oz : 250 ml
16fl.oz. : 500ml

Boron is present in Natural Sea Water in a concentration of 4.4 - 5.2 ppm This element appears to be highly essential for coral growth. Too low Boron concentration might result in stagnation of growth. Too high Boron concentration might upset the whole biological system of your aquarium.

Sizes :
8 oz : 250 ml
16oz : 500ml

The skeletal material of corals is predominantly made up of calcium carbonate with alternate layers rich in amino acids. These amino acids fulfil many important functions. They stabilise the skeletal material and also decrease the negative effect of phosphate on coral growth.

There are many naturally occurring amino acids and Salifert's scientific results show that there is a remarkable similarity between different corals regarding the presence of types of amino acids and their relative proportions in the coral skeleton and also the absence of certain other amino acids.

Experimental evidence has also shown that those amino acids, which are absent or are almost devoid in the coral skeleton would have a negative effect on the skeletal stability of the coral if they had been incorporated into the skeleton or even been present in the surrounding water.

Thus it has been seen that there are some amino acids that are highly essential and some which have a negative impact on the stability and growth of corals.

There is sufficient evidence that around coral reefs the desirable amino acids occur in the water itself and can be deposited on freshly formed calcium carbonate. The type of amino acids in solution and their relative proportions show a remarkable similarity to the amino acids found in coral skeletons. Therefore it is very likely that corals obtain these amino acids from the surrounding waters.

These amino acids originate from the many different life forms on coral reefs and a closed aquarium system lacking the bio-diversity of a huge reef may suffer from a lack of the proper amino acids.

Salifert's Coralline AminoAcids additive has the following benefits:

Sizes :

8.45 fl. oz : 250 ml
16 fl oz. : 500ml

Contains calcium, strontium and trace elements (except iodine) required for growth and multiplication by corals and the beautiful encrusting pink and red coralline algae. Calcium and strontium are the major cationic constituents of calcareous algae, skeletal material of hard corals and the skeletal needles of soft / leather corals. Growth and multiplication of these organisms means depletion of those substances. The trace elements included in Coral Grower allow organisms to carry out many biological processes.

Sizes :

8.45 fl. oz : 250 ml
16 fl.oz : 500ml

All In One makes the use of the so-called A and B calcium and alkalinity supplements unnecessary. It contains almost everything required for growth by corals and the encrusting pink and red coralline algae. All In one will increase the alkalinity (carbonate hardness), calcium, strontium, trace elements (except iodine) and amino acids concentrations.

Sizes :

8.45 fl. oz : 250 ml
16 fl. oz. : 500ml