What is the difference between Aquavitro and other Seachem products?

[ToadstoolCoral155]

Yes, I am asking this, and I want to set a rule first. Seachem and Seachem sponsors(as much as I LOVE seachem) are excluded from this, just so I can get a clear analysis on experience, and not money fueled bias.

So, what is the difference? The only Aquavitro product I have ever used was Calcification and it worked fantastically, but from what I see Aquavitro is more expensive and they seem to sell the same things in Aquavitro as they do in their normal line just with difference branding. Is this true?

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I think AquaVitro is supposed to be their premium line. Which is kind of funny, because some of the claims they make on their AquaVitro products are outright lies and cannot be substantiated with any science or research. Others are misleading or just don't make any sense at all from a chemistry standpoint.

To each his own, but for these reasons, I would not use the AquaVitro products. They work fine if you read through the lies and understand how the chemicals actually work. Given that and their expense, though, I think other supplements are better choices.

 

[ToadstoolCoral155]

I've seen the same with prime- people thinking it just removes ammonia.

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

The Seachem rep told me when the line first came out that they are identical to other Seachem products, but more concentrated.

 

[DSC reef]

FWIW I used, prefer and will continue to use aquavitro. Premium product and it worked better for us at keeping parameters where we needed than other products. My advice is find what works for your tank and stick with it. Just like salt, I like coral pro. Switched a few times but always came back. Our new build will strictly be coral pro and aquavitro.

Edit: I only use the eight four, calcification consistently.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I've seen the same with prime- people thinking it just removes ammonia.

The Seachem Prime thing is a bit different. They never claim that it removes ammonia, and their website clearly states that it detoxifies ammonia. I can't fault Seachem for that, as they're very transparent about what the additive does.

Additives like AquaVitro balance, on the other hand, are marketed with outright lies. The product claims to increase pH without increasing carbonate alkalinity. In seawater, this is impossible. The product states that it contains a hydroxide blend. Hydroxide is how limewater (kalkwasser) raises alkalinity: the hydroxides combine with CO2 in the water to form carbonate and bicarbonate:

OH- + CO2 --> HCO3-
OH- + HCO3- --> CO3-- + H2O

EDIT: These two examples show what happens to hydroxide in reef aquaria. The hydroxide either combines with dissolved CO2 and forms bicarbonate, which raises pH by getting rid of CO2. Or, the hydroxide combines with bicarbonate to form carbonate and water. This also raises pH because most carbonate tends to exist as bicarbonate in seawater. This newly formed carbonate will take up a CO2 in an attempt to maintain carbonate/bicarbonate/carbonic acid balance, increasing pH further.

There is no possible way you can add hydroxide to your tank to raise pH and NOT raise the alkalinity.

While reefers should know better than to try to dose a liquid buffer to control pH, this marketing is really dangerous, especially for those who don't know the chemistry.

 

[ToadstoolCoral155]

The Seachem Prime thing is a bit different. They never claim that it removes ammonia, and their website clearly states that it detoxifies ammonia. I can't fault Seachem for that, as they're very transparent about what the additive does.

Additives like AquaVitro balance, on the other hand, are marketed with outright lies. The product claims to increase pH without increasing carbonate alkalinity. In seawater, this is impossible. The product states that it contains a hydroxide blend. Hydroxide is how limewater (kalkwasser) raises alkalinity: the hydroxides combine with CO2 in the water to form carbonate and bicarbonate:

OH- + CO2 --> HCO3-
OH- + HCO3- --> CO3-- + H2O

EDIT: These two examples show what happens to hydroxide in reef aquaria. The hydroxide either combines with dissolved CO2 and forms bicarbonate, which raises pH by getting rid of CO2. Or, the hydroxide combines with bicarbonate to form carbonate and water. This also raises pH because most carbonate tends to exist as bicarbonate in seawater. This newly formed carbonate will take up a CO2 in an attempt to maintain carbonate/bicarbonate/carbonic acid balance, increasing pH further.

There is no possible way you can add hydroxide to your tank to raise pH and NOT raise the alkalinity.

While reefers should know better than to try to dose a liquid buffer to control pH, this marketing is really dangerous, especially for those who don't know the chemistry.

Yeah, it's ashame seachem lied on their other products. TBH Aquavitro isn't necessary to me. I used PH Buffer, the solid one, and in less than 24 hours my PH rested from 7.9 to 8.3. And just on Sunday Prime saved my fishes' lives, so.

And yes, the whole prime thing is stupid, I agree. It simply binds ammonia together and makes it easier for the bio-filter to take it out. When binded together, it becomes harmless to the fish but the frustrating part is that it's impossible to reliably test your water when using it considering that effectively there is 0 active Ammonia in the water but your test kit shows like 3.0 PPM.