Sea-Lab Formula 28

[underseaworld]

Has anyone used these tablets and with what kind of success? I am new to the reef thing and just trying to get a handle on it. I am also new to this forum so just so you all will know. Without spell check I am in trouble hehehe

[Reefland]

Hi underseaworld, Welcome to Reefland!

I am not even sure what these "tablets" are supposed to do but typically anything in tablet form is not a good thing for a reef tank.

Really, the use of supplements is to be done with caution. You must be able to accurately test for what is being added to ensure your not elvating a particular element above NSW (Natural Sea Water) levels. The only additions to a reef tank for me is from a balanced 2-part calcium/alk additive like ESV B-Ionic or Ocean Blean.

[Ninong]

I have heard of them. Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley, the chemistry forum moderator on RC, doesn't think much of them: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...ight=SeaLab+28

[underseaworld]

The Sea lab 28 are tablets that are to slowly dissolve into the tank as long as you place in a slow current area. This tablet has 18 different types of trace elements that it will dissolve into the tank. I have one Fish store out here that use them on all of his tanks. This is the first I have heard of them too.

Hi underseaworld, Welcome to Reefland!

I am not even sure what these "tablets" are supposed to do but typically anything in tablet form is not a good thing for a reef tank.

Really, the use of supplements is to be done with caution. You must be able to accurately test for what is being added to ensure your not elvating a particular element above NSW (Natural Sea Water) levels. The only additions to a reef tank for me is from a balanced 2-part calcium/alk additive like ESV B-Ionic or Ocean Blean.

[BayAreaReefer]

Hi Underseaworld,

I'm new to Reef Land, but I've been a reefer for over 6 years. I use a calc reactor to maintain my pH and calcium levels and I've been using Sea Lab's No.28 supplement for 4months on a 240gal reef with great results. I don't believe Sea Lab claims to boost calcium levels nor do they claim to buffer pH. They actually recommend that No.28 is used in conjunction w/ their kH buffers such as their No.14.
Although they do claim to maintain the pH and calcium levels once its already reached stable levels.
What I use No.28 for is to replace magnesium, strotium, iodine,silion, zinc and other about a dozen other trace elements. So I figure the No.28 replaces all the bottles of supplements that had used to replenish trace elements. So its still pretty good since it only dissolves the the trace elements are depleted in your tank. So if your tank does not have enough trace elements it will dissolve faster until it reaches appropriate saturation and when your tank has enough trace elements, it won't dissolve and won't cause trace element toxicity.
So this is just my opinion through my experience.

Has anyone used these tablets and with what kind of success? I am new to the reef thing and just trying to get a handle on it. I am also new to this forum so just so you all will know. Without spell check I am in trouble hehehe

[optical]

talk about delayed reaction! hahaha! i use sea lab's 28 in my coffee every morning. its delicious! good pick me up too.
hows it BayAreaReefer?

[Ninong]

So its still pretty good since it only dissolves the the trace elements are depleted in your tank. So if your tank does not have enough trace elements it will dissolve faster until it reaches appropriate saturation...

Of course, there's one small problem with that statement. It makes no sense and it isn't possible.

[Ninong]

The manufacturer's claims are preposterous and that's putting it mildly. They claim their calcium block "automatically controls concentrations of 28 elements including calcium, strontium and all 15 essential trace elements." That claim is absurd on its face.

How do you suppose it controls 28 elements? Let's assume for the sake of discussion that your tank is high in 15 of these elements, low in 10 of them and just right in the other three. Do you think it binds some, releases others and leaves the remainder unchanged?

Talk about snake oil!

It's a calcium salt of some sort and it dissolves in your tank. That's it. Ask the manufacturer to identify the counterion and we can then talk about what else it does.

[ambulldog615]

Think people are too quick to say snake oil! Just because reef centrals guy says nothing good it must be true? RC and it mods act like gods but are no one to follow! Do what works for you and just because people dont know the exact sience behind or explian what it does wrong doesnt make it snake oil either.
I have had awsome results with these tabs and seen the results in others tanks also. That is how i got to know of these tabs. i still dose calc, alk and mag as needed but all the others look to stay in check. this I know cause I dont add them no more and the coral in my tank still loves me!
I am not a believer in hype nor in people that dont know what their talking about. If you dont understand it,or use it, then dont comment snake oil on it!
The only thing I know about this product is I dont have to suppliment my tank with 15 different things and I dont have to do as frequent water changes to put more trace elements to the tank!

I am a home hobbyist and buy these off ebay. I am not a supllier and dont get paid to say these things. I am not a actor...lol
I am just a fan of saving $$$ when I can. I Have a mixed reef with a lot of money invested in it! If I seen any negitive results with these tabs they would be in the garbage so fast!

Oh i dose with sugar too......every 3 days

[Ninong]

The manufacturer's claims are absurd on their face: "As elements are depleted from solution, Formula 28 delivers exactly equivalent amounts to replace them." That's obviously ridiculous.

It simply dissolves at a steady rate. It's doesn't control anything or replace "exactly equivalent amounts" of anything as needed. In fact, the rate of dissolution will vary depending on the amount of current. I don't see what's not to understand about that?

The calcium is in the form of calcium chloride, which is not the best way to maintain calcium on a permanent basis. Because Sea-Lab No. 28 is not a balanced additive and cannot maintain calcium and alkalinity in balance, they sell another product called Sea-Lab No. 14. You need to use that one if you want to maintain your alkalinity. Calcium chloride alone (which is what's in Sea-Lab No. 28) will not maintain alkalinity or keep your pH in range.

Here is what "Reef Central's guy" has to say about it:

It is not a good way to go, IMO. It just adds a whole bunch of stuff whether you need it or not. It by no means "controls" the level of anything, despite their claims.

Claims such as "As elements are depleted from the aquarium, Formula 28 delivers exactly equivalent amounts to replace them. " are utterly ridiculous.

These articles discuss two part additives and other good ways to supply calcium and alkalinity:


How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

And, just for the record, "Reef Central's guy" has a Ph.D. in Chemistry and is the Vice President of Research at Genzyme. However, it doesn't take a Ph.D. to understand what this product is and how it works.

[MyNameIsJoe]

Very entertaining post...

Bulldog shut his/her mouth pretty quick.

[jimbodapimp]

I have been using the sea-lab no. 28 for years. Just because your a moderator doesn't mean you know what your talking about. Quoting/referring to people with PHD's doesn't make you correct either. These tabs are amazing and have stabilized my PH, ALK and calcium levels. Period. Now go and feed your gold fish.

[MyNameIsJoe]

I have been using the sea-lab no. 28 for years. Just because your a moderator doesn't mean you know what your talking about. Quoting/referring to people with PHD's doesn't make you correct either. These tabs are amazing and have stabilized my PH, ALK and calcium levels. Period. Now go and feed your gold fish.

Do you also add sugar to your tank?

[jimbodapimp]

Do you also add sugar to your tank?

Wow, you really have NO idea what's going on...

[Original Fin]

Jimbo,

Look about 6 responses back on this thread...that's what Joe was referring to, and I don't think it was meant as a dig, not that you didn't bait the hook with your combative posting style. Lighten up...this is supposed to be fun and friendly.

Originally posted by ambulldog615

I am a home hobbyist and buy these off ebay. I am not a supllier and dont get paid to say these things. I am not a actor...lol
I am just a fan of saving $$$ when I can. I Have a mixed reef with a lot of money invested in it! If I seen any negitive results with these tabs they would be in the garbage so fast!

Oh i dose with sugar too......every 3 days

[MyNameIsJoe]

Thanks.

I do find it interesting how these tablets release individual elements at different times based on water parameters. Although I am doubtful, I may just waste some time looking into it.

Ciao

[Ninong]

Thanks.

I do find it interesting how these tablets release individual elements at different times based on water parameters.

Except that they don't.

[Original Fin]

Except that they don't.

So you do still have your ears on... long time, no see. Welcome back!

[Ninong]

So you do still have your ears on... long time, no see. Welcome back!

Thank, you.

I have had some health issues flair up that have prevented me from taking a more active role lately; however, I receive emails of older posts that I participated in and sometimes those attract my interest.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Id bet you'd find this product up on the shelf next to kick ich and purple up.

No thanks. My money is better spent on other things.