Reef elixir

[.AcroKiller.]

Hi Randy,
I’m having a problem understanding this product called reef elixir, they claim that is has calcium formate and trace elements like all for reef but also including an amino acids, vitamins and bacteria. My confusion is the bacteria portion of it. How can this be ? Wouldn’t the bacteria react with calcium formate ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi Randy,
I’m having a problem understanding this product called reef elixir, they claim that is has calcium formate and trace elements like all for reef but also including an amino acids, vitamins and bacteria. My confusion is the bacteria portion of it. How can this be ? Wouldn’t the bacteria react with calcium formate ?

Most bacteria cannot metabolize formate and it may be too concentrated for bacteria to grow anyway. They may be there as spores that are inactive, or maybe it’s not a correct claim.

FWIW, I find their list of claimed elements quite strange and it gives me pause. No iron, but they tout barium despite it having no known biological role in any known organism.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

Most bacteria cannot metabolize formate and it may be too concentrated for bacteria to grow anyway. They may be there as spores that are inactive, or maybe it’s not a correct claim.

FWIW, I find their list of claimed elements quite strange and it gives me pause. No iron, but they tout barium despite it having no known biological role in any known organism.

Thanks for the reply Randy. Yeah this product has been gaining movement on TikTok in the states so I was wondering on some of the claims.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the reply Randy. Yeah this product has been gaining movement on TikTok in the states so I was wondering on some of the claims.

You’re welcome.