Tropic Marin® Phos-Start 

Particulate nutrient minerals for starting marine aquariums

Product description

Tropic Marin® Phos-Start is based on the nutrient supply mechanisms seen in the natural coral reef environment. Insoluble, particulate excretions of fish or plankton supply corals with phosphate and all other necessary substances which are responsible for an intact microbiology, strong coral growth and beautiful colors. Tropic Marin® has applied this knowledge in a novel product for the start-up of reef aquariums.

Tropic Marin® Phos-Start can be used to start all types of marine aquariums but is particularly well suited for starting reef aquariums using fully cured rock or reef ceramics and for bare bottom reef aquariums. Such aquariums have a low supply of organic bacterial food and nutrients to stimulate bacterial and coralline algae growth. Tropic Marin® Phos-Start will fill the gap in nutrient and mineral supply in those aquariums and promote good coralline algae growth. It also prepares the aquarium to support and grow corals, including the most sensitive SPS corals.

The microbiome is supplied with vital particulate phosphate as well as bacterial food, calcium, and trace elements as fine particles. The nutrients are dosed in a targeted manner, avoiding unwanted nutrient increases in the water column. Later, in the young aquarium, these particles can be easily filtered out of the water and utilized by the corals resulting in increased coral growth with natural forms in the skeletal structure and bright colors, just like in a thriving coral reef under natural conditions.

Benefits

• For use in the first 2 to 3 months during initial cycling phase and in the young aquarium.

• Tropic Marin® Phos-Start contains natural marine biopolymers as bacterial food to stimulate the microbiome in the startup phase of the new marine aquarium.

• Calcium and trace elements stimulate and support the growth of coralline algae.

• Included halogen trace elements like iodide, fluoride and bromide, replace elements consumed by increased growth rate of coralline algae and corals.

• Recent studies show that the insoluble, particulate form of these components, are much more efficient for coralline algae and coral growth coloration and care than soluble liquid forms.

• Tropic Marin® Phos-Start and Tropic Marin® Phos-Feed are the first products to deliver insoluble particulate phosphate minerals, for the reef aquarium, in this naturally targeted form.

Ingredients

Natural calcium carbonate microparticles, phosphate mineral powder, natural biopolymers, iodide, fluoride and bromide

Application & Dosage

For use for the first 2 to 3 months during initial cycling phase and in the young aquarium. Tropic Marin® Phos-Start can be added at any time of the day or night. Since the application clouds the water somewhat, and to take advantage of the nocturnal polyp opening of the corals, Tropic Marin® Phos-Start should preferably be dosed around the time the lighting is switched off. The temporary turbidity that forms is normal. The water is particularly clean after the turbidity clears.

Half fill a container with approximately 200ml of water from the reef aquarium (reverse osmosis water is not suitable!) and add the calculated amount of Tropic Marin® Phos-Start. Mix powder and water well by stirring. Pour the suspension into the current of the aquarium and rinse the cup with aquarium water.

Dosage: Start with a daily dosage of 1 ml (small measuring spoon) Tropic Marin® Phos-Start per 400 l (100 US-gal) aquarium water. If after four weeks a phosphate concentration between 0.05 ppm and 0.15 ppm is not reached in the aquarium, double the dosage to 2 ml (larger measuring spoon) per 400 l (100 US-gal).

We recommend not to exceed a maximum dosage of 4 ml per 400 l (100 US-gal).

Note: A temporary increase in algae growth is a normal part of a functioning start-up phase in marine aquariums. This should not be a cause for concern. An initial temporary brownish discoloration of corals is an indication of the desired nutrient regulation in the aquarium and should also not be any cause for concern.