Brightwell Additives

ajanicki10 · Dec 17, 2015

I have been using Aqua Vitro fuel along with Reef Code A & B and everything has been growing well. I went on Brightwell's site to see what additives could help improve my tank, ie color enhancers etc. The site is not really all that helpful because seems like so many are redundant. Does anyone have any recommendations on different products to enhance a mixed tank of sps, lps and zoas.

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1450397398.158295.jpg

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 17, 2015

I don't think that "additives" generally are particularly useful for color, as long as you have proper lighting, nutrient levels, and foods.

FWIW, Brightwell has some significant chemical misunderstandings on their web site, so be wary of their claims.

ajanicki10 · Dec 17, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I don't think that "additives" generally are particularly useful for color, as long as you have proper lighting, nutrient levels, and foods.

FWIW, Brightwell has some significant chemical misunderstandings on their web site, so be wary of their claims.

Thats why im asking cause the site didnt make sense to me. What do you recommend for coral food?

JimWelsh · Dec 17, 2015

I find that fish poop makes excellent coral food.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 18, 2015

ajanicki10 said:
Thats why im asking cause the site didnt make sense to me. What do you recommend for coral food?

If you have very low nutrients, I think products such as amino acids can be useful. I don't have a preferred brand.

Here's a typical problem I have with Brightwell claims. This one is not demonstrably wrong (as some are), but it is misleading, IMO.

This one for KoralColor:

http://brightwellaquatics.com/products/koralcolor.php

they claim

"Formulated specifically to provide trace quantities of elements for gradual incorporation into, and formation of, biochromes known to occur within zooxanthellae, such as chlorophylls a and c, beta carotene, and xanthophylls."

"Purified water, proprietary blend of major, minor, and trace elements known to be incorporated into biological pigments (biochromes). "

That all sounds quite impressive, until you realize that there are ZERO trace elements in chlorophylls a and c, beta carotene, and xanthophylls. Chlorophyll has a magnesium ion in it, and then every other atom in them is C, H, N and O. No minor or trace elements.

So what exactly is in this product?

marke · Dec 20, 2015

By the way? Whats in that fuel stuff? Is it a pure amino product? What results have you seen? What is the manufacturer claiming?

vladandlilith · Dec 23, 2015

I think Fuel is pretty much Amino Acids.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 23, 2015

If you mean Brightwell Reef Biofuel, it is an organic carbon source, like vodka or vinegar. They do not say exactly which organics are in it, and I've not seen an analysis of it.

vladandlilith · Dec 27, 2015

I was referring to Aquavitro Fuel. I don't use Brightwell products.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 27, 2015

vladandlilith said:
I was referring to Aquavitro Fuel. I don't use Brightwell products.

Ok, but then this thread probably wasn't the best place to ask.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 27, 2015

Aquavitro fuel says it provides a long list of organic and inorganic chemicals.
http://www.aquavitro.com/products/fuel.html

marke · Dec 27, 2015

Interesting that the thinking was that fuel is an amino product? From the list provided above it has heavy metals, vitamins, a little aminos, dont see aspartic acid which is the most consumed by sps like millies. The largest component is some fat or carbohydrate product, fatty acid , clorrella or so. Maybe why some get an outbeak of algae and cyano and suggest a half dose? I suggest at least testing po4 and nitrates after using it?