KH Buffer 1200 g — Stable Carbonate Hardness for Reef Aquariums - Aquaforest

Aquaforest KH Buffer 1200 g — stable carbonate hardness for reef aquariums

The KH Buffer 1200 g is the powder alkalinity salt for the classic Balling protocol — purified sodium bicarbonate, possibly paired with a carbonate buffer. Used to prepare the KH stock solution (Balling Part 2), it holds alkalinity stable at the reef's target level despite constant carbonate precipitation by hard corals.

The 1200 g jar covers several months of use on a 100-300 L reef and prepares about fifteen liters of stock solution at Aquaforest's official concentration.

Balling protocol use

• KH stock solution: dissolve 80 g of KH Buffer in 1 L of RO/DI water.
• Saturated solution: concentration cannot be raised further — bicarbonate hits its solubility limit.
• Strong add-on: add 5 ml of Component C Strong per liter of KH solution for advanced Balling (fluorine + iodine).
• Balanced dosing: strictly equal shares with the Calcium and Magnesium/RMS solutions.

Alkalinity targets

• SPS ULNS tanks: 6.5-8.0 dKH.
• Mixed-reef tanks: 7-9 dKH.
• LPS and soft coral tanks: 8-11 dKH.
• Never raise dKH by more than 0.5 in 24 h.

Specifications

• Brand: Aquaforest (Poland)
• Format: 1200 g powder jar
• Type: sodium bicarbonate for Balling
• Compatibility: SPS, LPS, mixed-reef tanks on Balling method

Why choose Aquaforest at ReefSolution

• KH Buffer 5 kg — the economy large format for established tanks and advanced setups.
• Calcium 850 g — Balling Part 1 (calcium chloride) to prepare alongside.
• Magnesium 750 g — Balling Part 3.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't the KH Buffer solution be more concentrated?

Sodium bicarbonate has an intrinsic solubility limit around 80 g/L at room temperature. Beyond that, some doesn't dissolve and settles at the bottom, skewing the actual dosed concentration. Aquaforest calibrates the recipe right at the useful saturation.

How long does a 1200 g jar last on a 200 L tank?

On a 200 L tank with moderate consumption (about 200-300 g of KH Buffer per month), the 1200 g jar covers 4 to 6 months. On a high-growth SPS tank, duration drops to 2-3 months.

Can I dose dry KH Buffer directly into the tank?

No — the powder must be dissolved into a stock solution before dosing. Direct addition would trigger a local spike of alkalinity and sodium, with immediate calcium carbonate precipitation and severe livestock stress.