{"product_id":"seachem-reef-builder","title":"Seachem Reef Builder","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRaises alkalinity without the pH jolt.\u003c\/strong\u003e Seachem Reef Builder is a phosphate- and organic-free carbonate supplement that lifts and holds alkalinity in the reef aquarium without immediately shifting pH — and unlike a straight pH buffer, it won't deplete calcium, magnesium or strontium as it works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRaises carbonate alkalinity (KH)\u003c\/strong\u003e without an immediate pH swing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWon't deplete calcium, magnesium or strontium\u003c\/strong\u003e the way some straight buffers can.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhosphate- and organic-free\u003c\/strong\u003e — won't feed nuisance algae.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScales to a dosing pump\u003c\/strong\u003e — a continuous-drip dosing formula is published for automated systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCosts under 1c per litre of tank water dosed\u003c\/strong\u003e at every pack size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePrice\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStandard dose\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLitres this pack doses\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$28.95\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 g per 150 L, twice weekly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15,000 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$48.95\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 g per 150 L, twice weekly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30,000 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.2 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$89.95\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 g per 150 L, twice weekly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60,000 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$268.95\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 g per 150 L, twice weekly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e199,950 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuitable for reef and marine aquariums that need steady carbonate alkalinity without a pH spike — a good fit for dosing pumps and continuous-drip setups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot a calcium, magnesium or strontium source on its own — pair it with a calcium supplement such as Reef Complete.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot for freshwater aquariums.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDosage and directions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginner dose: dissolve 3 g (½ level teaspoon) in at least 250 mL of freshwater and add per 150 L of system volume, twice weekly. Check alkalinity every fortnight and adjust from there. Each 3 g\/150 L dose raises alkalinity by roughly 0.25 meq\/L; do not exceed 12 g per 150 L in a single day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a continuous dosing pump, Seachem publishes the formula m = 0.08 × v × a, where m is grams of Reef Builder, v is tank volume in litres and a is the meq\/L rise wanted — for example, roughly 16 g dosed into top-off water lifts a 200 L system by 1 meq\/L.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCost per litre at every pack size works out under 1c, calculated on the standard dose:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCost per litre dosed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnder 1c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnder 1c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.2 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnder 1c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnder 1c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSafety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not mix directly with a calcium, magnesium or strontium supplement — dose on alternate days or space doses at least 30 minutes apart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not exceed 12 g per 150 L per day. Excess alkalinity can still push calcium, magnesium and strontium out of solution even though Reef Builder is gentler on pH than a straight buffer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Safety Data Sheet is available from Seachem for handling and storage guidance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the container sealed between doses and store somewhere dry — moisture will cake the powder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-reef-complete\"\u003eSeachem Reef Complete\u003c\/a\u003e — the calcium, magnesium and strontium side of reef chemistry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-reef-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Reef Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e — where pH also needs correcting, not just alkalinity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCovered by the manufacturer's standard warranty against defects, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Standard freight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat's the difference between Reef Builder and Reef Buffer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReef Builder raises alkalinity without an immediate pH shift, which suits systems where pH is already fine and only alkalinity needs topping up. Reef Buffer moves pH toward 8.3 at the same time it raises alkalinity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I run this through a dosing pump?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — Seachem publishes a continuous-drip dosing formula (m = 0.08va) for exactly this. Mix a stock solution and dial in the daily volume to your target alkalinity rise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill it crash my calcium?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverdosing alkalinity relative to calcium can still pull calcium out of solution, so keep to the maximum dose and test regularly rather than dosing on a fixed schedule alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow is this different from a liquid alkalinity supplement?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReef Builder is a powder, which is generally the cheaper way to buy alkalinity in bulk. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-reef-carbonate\"\u003eSeachem Reef Carbonate\u003c\/a\u003e is the liquid equivalent, better suited to dosing pumps that can't handle powder.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Seachem","offers":[{"title":"300 g","offer_id":55244169380131,"sku":null,"price":28.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"600 g","offer_id":55244169412899,"sku":null,"price":48.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.2 kg","offer_id":55244169445667,"sku":null,"price":89.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 kg","offer_id":55244169478435,"sku":null,"price":268.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/seachem_reef_builder_4kg.png?v=1782710660","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/seachem-reef-builder","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}