Reef BluePrint Isol8:MT - Minor & Trace Elements (60 mL) - Captiv8 Aquaculture

Days 1 - 10: 1 drop (0.05 mL) per 25 gal. x 24 h.

Thereafter: Modify dosing as dictated by change in nutrient density and ICP analysis (see below).

Keep out of reach of children and unauthorized persons. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Store in a cool, dry location away from sunlight.

The rate of ion depletion due to photoautotroph uptake is driven by various chemical and physical factors which are unique to each independently-operating recirculating system, and which are constantly changing as photoautotroph biomass increases and decreases.

Monitoring (daily) the system's concentrations of elements provided by this formulation, as well as the concentration of nitrate, and referencing apparent changes in coloration of zooxanthellate cnidarians will enable User to adjust dosing of this formula to suit system requirements, improving overall effectiveness and resulting in less wasted solution.

Users unable to perform analyses for elements provided by this formula are recommended to monitor nitrate concentration and apparent changes in coloration of zooxanthellate cnidarians, adjusting dosage to suit system requirements. This visual approach to dosing is fastest, and for many systems will be adequate.

Recommended is diluting an appropriate volume of this solution into a larger volume of purified water (with a purity of at least 98%), and applying this diluted solution to the system with an automated dosing system throughout the photoperiod. Dosing frequency is directly proportional to stability of ionic concentrations and, resultantly, gradual changes in the coloration (manifesting as intensification) of coloration of zooxanthellate cnidarians. A 1 - 10 s drip interval during the photoperiod provides adequate ionic stability, and is recommended.

If no automated dosing system is available, then apply solution manually each day. Dosing frequency is directly proportional to stability of ionic concentrations and, resultantly, consistent changes in coloration of zooxanthellate cnidarians. Dosage volume per 24 h is divided by the dosing frequency.

It is not recommended that this formulation be dosed fewer than four times weekly.

Because changes in coloration of zooxanthellate cnidarian tissues occur gradually, and in a non-uniform fashion among mixed cohorts, it is strongly recommended that a select number of individual cohort members be identified as subjects, recording changes in coloration with high-resolution photographs taken immediately prior to initial dosing, and at regular intervals once dosing has commenced. Physical conditions (e.g. light, water temperature, water flow) should be as uniform as possible when taking photographs. Changes in coloration are qualitative, and two observers may draw different conclusions when viewing the same specimen. Users should anticipate that noticeable changes in coloration of zooxanthellate cnidarians may require up to 5 applications of Isol8 MT to occur. Metered application, in which Isol8 MT is applied daily over the course of the photoperiod, has been observed to produce consistent results.

A quantitative impact that the application of Isol8 MT may produce in some recirculating systems is the gradual reduction of aqueous nitrate. This is discussed more fully below. The depletion of nitrate below the amount required for continued photosynthesis must be avoided in recirculating systems housing cohorts which include photoautotrophs. Nitrate supplementation may eventually be necessitated, depending upon cohort requirements.

Reference Standards: 1 mL per 250 gal. (946.25 L) establishes the appropriate concentrations of constituent ions at S=35. If using glass dropper supplied with 60-mL package, then 1 mL is equivalent to approximately 20 drops. 1 drop per 12.5 gal. (47.3125 L). For laboratory applications, dilute 1 mL Isol8 MT into 99 mL of distilled or deionized water, and apply at 1 mL per 2.5 gal as necessary.

Apply 1 mL per 250 gal. (946.25 L) new water added to recirculating systems during routine water changes, unless Formul8 salt is being used (the appropriate concentrations of all critical minor and trace elements are already provided by Formul8 and Formul8x salt blends).

Initial application: Dose equivalent of 1 mL per 500 gal. (1892.5 L) every 24 h, applied during photoperiod, for initial ten (10) days; this corresponds to 1 drop per 25 gal. (94.625 L).

Monitor nitrate concentration at beginning, middle, and end of photoperiod. A decrease in peak nitrate concentration recorded at the same reference times indicates increased nitrate uptake and depletion of the elements provided by this formulation. Anticipate noticeable changes in coloration of zooxanthellate cnidarians during the latter half of this initial dosing period. Diverging from this initial dosing regimen is discouraged.

Maintenance application: Because one of the primary functions of Isol8 MT is to enable primary producers to remove nutrients more efficiently, whether the dosing rate increases or decreases after the initial ten day dosing period is variable.

If the nitrate concentration has decreased since dosing Isol8 MT commenced, then decrease dosage from 1 drop per 25 USG to 1 drop per 37.5 - 50.0 USG daily.

If the nitrate concentration has either not changed or has increased since dosing Isol8 MT commenced, then increase dosage from 1 drop per 25 USG to 1 drop per 12.5 - 17.5 USG daily.

Recommended is to perform ICP analysis 30 days after commencing dosing Isol8 MT to guide further dosage modification. In any case, do not exceed 1 mL per 250 gal. (946.25 L) per 24 h.