Real questions.
Straight answers.

BioForge Core+ is a dry-to-mix reef chemistry system for alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Each product comes as a pre-measured powder packet. You add RO/DI water. Shake for 60 seconds, and you have a liter of dosing stock.

The format is different from liquid 2-part. You're not buying a bottle of water with chemistry dissolved in it. You're buying the chemistry alone, in exact daily-dose packets, and mixing it yourself. The result is the same liquid stock you'd dose, minus the shipping weight, expiration risk, and plastic waste of pre-mixed bottles.

The Starter Kit includes everything you need to start dosing on day one:

After the kit. You subscribe to whichever chemistry your tank uses. Most tanks need ALK every 20–35 days and CAL every 30–45 days. MAG is slower, most tanks dose it less frequently.

The Starter Kit is built around 1L stock bottles. One packet makes 1L. You mix a new batch when the bottle runs low. It's the right format for most tanks under 150 gallons.

The 4L Bulk System uses 4-liter containers and larger packet formats. It's designed for high-demand tanks. SPS-heavy systems over 150 gallons, systems with multiple tanks, or reefers who dose more than 100 mL/day of any chemistry. Fewer mix sessions, lower cost per dose.

Not sure which is right for you? The calculator tells you your daily dose and stock duration based on your tank size and demand.

Yes. Once mixed. The stock solution behaves identically to any liquid 2-part chemistry. The dosing adapter fits standard barb fittings used by Neptune DOS, GHL Doser, Kamoer, and similar units. The bottles have a standard 28mm neck if you prefer your own tubing setup.

The stock is clear and low-viscosity after mixing. No clogging. No residue. If you're running a gravity-fed drip system. The stock works without modification.

No dosing pump? Manual dosing works fine, especially on smaller tanks. Measure your daily volume with a syringe or graduated cylinder. Dose once a day into a high-flow area of the sump, same time each day. If you're dosing more than ~30 mL/day of any component, an auto doser is worth it for consistency.

You can. The chemistry doesn't care what container it lives in as long as it's food-grade or HDPE.

The included bottles exist for a specific reason: the dosing adapter creates a sealed, air-excluded draw point. Standard 2-part bottles left open or loosely capped absorb CO₂ and can change pH slightly over time, especially ALK solutions. The sealed system keeps the stock stable for the full duration of the packet.

If you have your own HDPE bottles and a sealed draw system you trust. Use them.

No, but the kit includes the hardware you need to start, color-coded bottles, mixing beaker, and dosing adapter. If you already have compatible HDPE bottles and a dosing setup. You can order refill packets separately. Most people start with the kit because the hardware is part of the system, not an afterthought.

Yes. The three chemistries. ALK, CAL, MAG, are independent. You can start with only Core+ ALK and continue dosing calcium and magnesium with your current brand. Switch one parameter at a time if you prefer. Most people switch ALK first because it's the most frequently dosed and the most documented in the BioForge formulation.

No. Standard soda ash 2-part (sodium carbonate in water) works, but every dose adds sodium and carbonate. Over time, especially if you're dosing heavily and doing infrequent water changes, sodium accumulates because nothing removes it except dilution.

BioForge Core+ ALK is a multi-component formulation. The V5.9 formula includes sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, potassium bicarbonate, and borax. This is closer to the Balling approach. It doses alkalinity while also contributing potassium and boron, and it does so at a sodium-to-alkalinity ratio that drifts more slowly from natural seawater ratios.

Full formulation rationale is on the Science page.

At the standard 1 packet per 1L RO/DI ratio:

These values are derived from the V5.9 formulation and verified independently on every batch via ICP-OES at Reef Labs, Inc. If a batch deviates. The report reflects it and the batch is flagged. The calculator uses these exact constants to compute your daily dose.

Yes, intentionally. The Core+ ALK formulation includes potassium bicarbonate and borax. This means every ALK dose contributes potassium and boron at ratios that approximate natural seawater chemistry.

Most tanks are potassium-depleted relative to natural seawater, and most 2-part systems don't address this. BioForge doesn't require a separate potassium supplement if you're dosing ALK at typical rates.

If you're running a Triton-style system or supplementing potassium separately, account for this contribution. Your ICP results will tell you where you stand.

Yes, with one important note: never mix kalkwasser and BioForge stock directly. Kalkwasser (calcium hydroxide) reacts with alkalinity solutions to precipitate calcium carbonate. This is true for all 2-part chemistry, not just BioForge.

The standard approach: dose kalkwasser via your ATO and BioForge via a separate doser on a different schedule. Keep the two solutions physically separated in the sump. This is standard practice for hybrid kalk/2-part systems.

If kalkwasser is handling most of your calcium and alkalinity demand. You may only need BioForge to supplement what kalk can't keep up with, typically ALK in high-demand SPS tanks.

Dry powder is more stable than pre-mixed liquid before you mix it. Alkalinity solutions in particular can shift pH over time as they absorb CO₂ from air. A sealed powder packet has an indefinite shelf life at room temperature. Pre-mixed liquid ALK has a practical shelf life of 6–12 months once opened.

Once you mix BioForge stock, its stability is the same as any other liquid 2-part. Use within 30–45 days. Keep it sealed between doses. The included bottle adapter is designed to minimize air exposure.

Yes. The formulation is designed for reef tanks with corals at any level of demand. For SPS-dominant systems, precise alkalinity control matters most. The calculator dose is more important than the chemistry brand. For softies and LPS. The same formula works at lower demand rates. There's nothing in Core+ that's harmful to any common reef livestock at correct dosing rates.

The key risk is not the chemistry, it's dosing too fast. Alkalinity swings above 0.5 dKH in a short window stress corals regardless of what product caused them. Dose slowly. Test regularly, and the chemistry won't be the problem.

No. Salinity is primarily affected by evaporation, water changes, and salt mix. BioForge chemistry is dosed in small volumes (mL/day) relative to your tank volume, and the dissolved solutes don't meaningfully impact salinity at normal rates.

The more relevant ionic concern is sodium accumulation from high-dose, simple sodium-carbonate 2-part dosing, which is exactly what the Core+ ALK multi-component formulation is designed to reduce. That said. No chemistry eliminates the need for regular water changes. Regular changes are still the primary tool for ionic reset.

Use the BioForge calculator. It works two ways:

If you're switching from another brand: enter your current daily dose in mL and your tank size. The calculator converts that into BioForge mL per day using published manufacturer data for your current brand.

If you know your tank's demand: enter your daily alkalinity drop in dKH, plus your calcium and magnesium demand in ppm/day. The calculator outputs exact mL/day for each chemistry and tells you how long one packet lasts.

If you don't know your tank's demand yet. Start with the profile defaults (mixed reef or SPS) and test alkalinity after 3–4 days to calibrate. The calculator is free and takes two minutes. Use it before your first dose, not after.

Adding salts to half the water first prevents caking at the bottom. The full 60-second shake ensures complete dissolution. The stock is ready when it's clear. If you see cloudiness. Shake again and wait.

The mixing guide on the calculator page has a step-by-step animation if you want to see each stage.

RO/DI only. Tap water introduces chloramines, silicates, phosphates, and other contaminants that can react with the chemistry or accumulate in your tank. The stock concentration calculations assume pure water. Using anything other than RO/DI will alter the effective concentration unpredictably.

If your RO/DI unit produces water with TDS above 5–10 ppm. Check your membrane and DI resin before mixing chemistry with it.

It depends on your tank's consumption rate and how long you missed.

One day missed: negligible for most tanks. Resume your normal dose the next day. Don't double-dose to compensate.

Several days missed: test alkalinity before resuming. If alkalinity has dropped significantly. Use the Correction mode in the calculator. It builds you a day-by-day schedule to bring alkalinity back up safely, typically 0.5 dKH per day, without swinging parameters and stressing corals.

Not directly into the same mixing line simultaneously, and not into low-flow areas of the sump. Alkalinity and calcium solutions react when they contact each other at high concentration. This is true for all 2-part chemistry.

Best practice: dose each chemistry at separate times (at least 30 minutes apart), or into high-flow areas of the sump where rapid dilution prevents local concentration spikes. Most dosers handle this automatically with staggered schedules.

It depends entirely on your tank's demand and size. The calculator gives you an exact number, but rough ranges:

High-demand SPS tanks may go through CAL fastest. Most tanks go through ALK more predictably. MAG is typically the slowest. Run the calculator with your actual parameters for accurate numbers.

The Switching mode on the calculator converts your current daily dose directly into BioForge mL per day. It supports BRS Pharma 2-Part, Tropic Marin Balling, Brightwell Reef Code, Brightwell Alkalin8.3, and ATI Essentials.

General approach:

Don't change anything else in your tank at the same time. Isolate the switch so if something moves. You know why.

Parameters shouldn't move noticeably if the calculator conversion is accurate. The goal of the switch is to deliver the same alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium your tank was already receiving. Just from a different source.

Test alkalinity 3–4 days after switching to confirm the dose is right. Some tanks consume slightly more or less than the calculator predicts based on coral load changes, light intensity, and temperature. Fine-tune from there.

Don't try to correct a deficit and switch at the same time. If your parameters are off before switching. Use the Correction mode to stabilize first.

Yes. Many tanks outgrow what kalkwasser alone can maintain, particularly SPS-heavy systems where alkalinity demand exceeds what kalk can supply at safe concentrations. BioForge works as a supplement on a separate doser line.

In this case, calculate only the gap: how much alkalinity and calcium your kalk isn't covering, and dose BioForge to make up the difference. Test frequently for the first two weeks to calibrate the combined approach.

Yes. A calcium reactor and 2-part serve the same function, delivering alkalinity and calcium, but through different mechanisms. If your reactor is keeping up with demand. You don't need to add BioForge. If it's undersized for your coral load, common in maturing SPS systems. BioForge works as a supplement.

Calculate your total daily demand in the Tank Consumption mode. Then subtract what your reactor supplies. Dose BioForge to cover the difference. Don't dose BioForge directly into the reactor effluent line. Add it to a high-flow area of the sump separately.

Use the Tank Consumption mode instead of the Switching mode. Rather than converting from a competitor's formula. You enter your tank's actual alkalinity demand in dKH/day, which you can measure directly by testing alkalinity before and after a known interval without dosing.

This is actually more accurate than the brand conversion, because it's based on your specific tank's consumption rather than a manufacturer average. If you don't know your demand yet, one week of testing without dosing (or with a known fixed dose) will give you the number.

Email hello@bioforgesystems.com with your current brand and dose and we'll help you convert it manually.

ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry) is the laboratory standard for measuring elemental composition in solution. It identifies and quantifies every element present, including heavy metals at parts-per-billion concentrations.

Every BioForge production batch is sent to Reef Labs, Inc. for independent ICP-OES analysis before it ships. The test confirms:

The full report for every batch is published in the Batch Archive. You don't have to take our word for it. You can read the actual lab document.

Every packet has a QR code and a lot number printed on the packaging. Scan the QR code or search the lot number directly in the Batch Archive. The archive shows:

If your batch is pending. The test hasn't returned yet. If it's flagged, you'll see the reason and what action was taken. We publish the work, not just the results that look good.

It doesn't ship. If a batch returns an ICP result that deviates from the target formulation or shows any heavy metal above threshold. The entire batch is pulled and destroyed. The report is still published in the archive with the failure noted.

If you received a batch that was later flagged, which would only happen if a defect appeared post-shipment. We will contact you directly and replace it.

Because reef keepers are putting this chemistry into living systems. You should be able to verify what you're dosing. A private verification process is just a claim. A public one is evidence.

It also creates accountability. If the ICP reports are public, there's no selective publishing of only good results. Every batch gets posted. Good or otherwise.

Nothing is wrong with the chemistry. The calculator uses typical demand values for your tank profile. Your actual tank may consume more. This happens when:

Measure your actual dKH drop over 24–48 hours without dosing. Use that number as your demand input in the calculator. Recalculate your daily dose and adjust your doser.

This is normal calibration, not a product problem. Alkalinity demand varies by tank and changes as your system grows.

Cloudiness immediately after mixing is normal. It clears within 5–10 minutes as everything fully dissolves. Shake again and let it sit before dosing.

If the solution remains cloudy after 15 minutes. The most likely cause is that not enough water was used, or the water wasn't RO/DI (tap water minerals can cause precipitation). Try remixing with a fresh packet and confirmed RO/DI water.

If the problem persists, contact hello@bioforgesystems.com with your lot number. We'll check the batch report and troubleshoot with you.

First. Test alkalinity immediately. The most common cause of switching-related stress is a parameter swing, either the new dose is higher than needed and alkalinity spiked, or something else changed at the same time as the switch.

If alkalinity is stable and within range. The switch itself is not the cause. Coral stress from chemistry switches without parameter movement is extremely uncommon.

If alkalinity moved significantly, reduce your dose and use the Correction mode to bring it back slowly.

Yes, but precision dosing matters more on small systems. At nano scale, a 1 mL error in daily dose has a proportionally larger impact on parameters than in a 100-gallon tank.

The calculator will tell you your daily dose. For nano tanks. That number is often 1–5 mL/day. You'll need a doser accurate to 0.5 mL increments. Most quality peristaltic dosers (Neptune DOS, GHL, Kamoer X1) are accurate to this level.

Manual dosing with a syringe works at nano scale. Measure carefully and dose at the same time each day for consistent results.

Email hello@bioforgesystems.com with your lot number, tank size, current parameters, and a description of the issue. Include your Hanna or ICP results if you have them. It speeds up the diagnosis significantly.

For batch-specific concerns: qc@bioforgesystems.com.

We're a small operation and we answer everything ourselves. You'll hear from the founder directly.

ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry) is an elemental analysis technique that measures the concentration of specific elements in a liquid sample with parts-per-million precision. It's the same standard used in pharmaceutical quality control and environmental testing.

BioForge uses ICP-OES in two separate contexts, it's important to understand both:

Batch verification: Every production batch of BioForge chemistry is tested at Reef Labs, Inc. before it ships. This confirms the chemistry matches what it claims to be. The right elements, at the right concentrations, with no unexpected contamination. The report is published publicly in the Batch Archive.

Tank water testing: Reefers use ICP-OES labs (Reef Labs, ATI, Triton, ICP-Analysis) to test their tank water, checking that alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, and trace metals are within range and nothing harmful is accumulating. This is separate from BioForge's batch testing. BioForge ICP Decode is a tool for interpreting your tank water ICP results, not your chemistry.

BioForge Decode flags certain parameters as urgent risks, levels associated with rapid coral tissue loss, bleaching, or crash risk that require immediate correction before anything else.

These thresholds are based on published aquaculture toxicity data, manufacturer ICP reference ranges (primarily Reef Labs), and documented community-reported crash events. They are not arbitrary, they represent levels at which hobbyists have historically lost livestock.

Current urgent risk thresholds: Aluminum ≥ 0.100 ppm | Copper ≥ 0.050 ppm | Nickel ≥ 0.150 ppm | Vanadium ≥ 0.150 ppm | Alkalinity < 5 or > 13 dKH | Salinity < 30 or > 37 ppt.

Decode reports are interpretation based on these published thresholds, not veterinary diagnosis, and not a guarantee of outcome. Corrections depend on your tank's specific conditions and your execution.

BioForge Decode works with results from any ICP lab. The most commonly used options in the US are:

Reef Labs. US-based, fast turnaround, online results with share URL (import directly into BioForge Decode). Recommended for most US reefers.

ATI. German lab with a long track record, widely respected in the SPS community. Produces a PDF with extensive element panel.

Triton. Runs the full ICP-OES panel plus they sell their own supplement line. Results come as PDF.

ICP-Analysis / Aquaforest. European options. Good for international reefers.

Reef Labs is the only lab where BioForge Decode can import results directly via URL. All other labs require manual entry or Excel upload.

For most tanks: quarterly. Every 90 days. Once you're stable. This gives you enough time to see the effect of any correction before testing again.

If you're actively correcting a problem (high aluminum, unstable alkalinity, elevated metals), retest in 30 days to confirm the correction worked. BioForge Decode includes a specific retest date in every report.

If your tank is new, recently changed salt, recently changed media, or you've had unexplained coral losses. Test immediately. Don't wait for the quarterly schedule when something is actively wrong.

The decode is an interpretation of your ICP data against published thresholds, not a guarantee of diagnosis or outcome. It can be wrong in two ways: the ICP result itself could be erroneous (sample contamination, labeling error, lab instrument drift), or the interpretation could be a poor fit for your specific tank's context.

If a recommendation doesn't match what you're observing, treat it as input rather than instruction. If urgent risks are flagged but your tank shows no signs of stress and you suspect a contaminated sample. The right move is to retest before taking drastic action.

For any result that seems wrong, email hello@bioforgesystems.com with your ICP data and what specifically looks off. We'll review it manually.

ICP Decode Report, $39: Automated analysis of your ICP results. The system runs your values against urgency thresholds, ranks parameters by risk, and outputs a 10-section action plan: situation summary, urgent risk flags, ranked corrections, dosing pace, 7- and 30-day plan, and next steps. Most tanks get everything they need from this.

Founder Review, $149: Carlos reviews your results manually alongside your tank history and notes. Includes a recorded 30-minute video walkthrough of the data, written corrections with specific product recommendations, and a direct email thread for follow-up over 30 days. Right for complex situations, multiple simultaneous problems, post-crash diagnosis, persistent instability the automated report hasn't resolved.

Start with the Decode Report. Upgrade to Founder Review if the situation is complex. You want a human to look at it, or the automated report doesn't match what you're seeing.

BioForge and Reef Labs, Inc. are independent businesses. No ownership overlap. No revenue sharing. No referral arrangement.

Reef Labs appears in the BioForge system in two separate contexts:

Batch verification: Every BioForge chemistry batch is sent to Reef Labs for independent ICP-OES analysis before it ships. They're the lab we trust for this because they're the same one serious reefers use to test their tank water. ISO-calibrated instruments, consistent methodology, and public-facing results.

Tank water testing: BioForge Decode supports Reef Labs share URLs for direct import because they're the most widely used lab with online-shareable results. ATI, Triton, and others work fine, they require manual entry or Excel upload instead.

We recommend Reef Labs for tank testing because we find their results reliable and their turnaround fast. Not because of any financial relationship.

That's your call. The decode interprets the data. It doesn't control your tank.

If aluminum is flagged as an urgent risk and GFO is listed as the likely source. The recommendation to stop is based on established data linking GFO media to aluminum leaching, especially older or exhausted media. The risk is real, aluminum at these levels has been associated with RTN in SPS tanks.

If you want to keep GFO. The minimum step is to replace it with fresh, tested media immediately, retest in 30 days, and monitor closely. Some reefers also switch to alternative phosphate control (refugium, reducing feeding, lanthanum chloride carefully). That decision is yours. The decode gives you the information to make it.

Unopened Starter Kits and refill packets can be returned within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. Email hello@bioforgesystems.com with your order number.

If your order arrives damaged, incorrect, or missing items, we'll replace it or issue a full refund. No return required. Send us a photo and we'll sort it the same day.

Opened chemistry packets cannot be returned for safety reasons, but if you're unhappy with the product for any chemistry-related reason, reach out and we'll work it out.

Orders ship within 3–5 business days from Hialeah, FL. You'll receive tracking when your order fulfills.

Shipping is free on all US orders. We ship via USPS Priority or UPS Ground depending on package size and destination. Most continental US customers receive orders within 5–8 business days from order date.

We don't currently ship internationally. If you're outside the US, email us, we're working on it.

Three real differences:

Format: BRS and ESV sell pre-mixed liquid. You're buying water with chemistry dissolved in it, which means shipping weight, plastic, and shelf life limitations. BioForge ships dry powder. You mix RO/DI yourself. Same dosing stock, much less waste.

Formulation: BRS Pharma and ESV B-Ionic are based on soda ash (sodium carbonate) for alkalinity. BioForge Core+ ALK is a multi-component Balling-style formula that also doses potassium and boron. Over time. This drifts more slowly from natural seawater ionic ratios.

Documentation: BRS and ESV don't publish batch-level ICP verification. BioForge publishes the ICP report for every production batch before it ships. You can scan the QR on any packet to see exactly what's in it.

If you're happy with BRS two-part and your tank is stable, BioForge is a format and documentation upgrade. If your tank is having issues that liquid 2-part hasn't resolved. The formulation difference is worth investigating.

Yes. BioForge stock is chemically identical to any liquid 2-part once mixed. Your doser doesn't know the difference. Neptune DOS, GHL, Kamoer, Vertex, Reef Octopus dosers. All work without modification.

The calculator will convert your current liquid 2-part dose (in mL/day) to the equivalent BioForge packet schedule. Most reefers switch in one mix session without touching their doser programming.

If you're switching from a significantly different concentration (e.g., BRS 2-part concentrate vs. standard). Use the Switching Calculator mode to get the exact equivalent dose before you start.

In order:

1. Run the calculator. Go to bioforgesystems.com/calculator and enter your tank size and current chemistry. This tells you exactly how many mL/day of each component to dose. Don't skip this, dosing without knowing your demand is how tanks crash.

2. Set up your account. Go to bioforgesystems.com/account, log in with the email you ordered with, and fill out your tank profile. Your decode history and refill schedule live here.

3. Mix your first batch. Add one packet to one liter of RO/DI water in the included bottle. Shake for 60 seconds. The solution should be clear within a few minutes. Label the bottle (ALK, CAL, or MAG) and connect to your doser.

4. Scan the QR. The QR code on every packet links to the Reef Labs batch report. Confirm what's in your chemistry before it touches your tank.

5. If you have ICP results. Run a Decode. Go to bioforgesystems.com/decode and import your results. The report tells you what to correct, in what order, at what pace.

KalkPure is BioForge's pharmaceutical-grade calcium hydroxide (kalkwasser). It's used differently from Core+, instead of dosing from a stock solution via a doser, kalkwasser is dissolved in your ATO water and drips in passively as your tank evaporates.

You need KalkPure if: you want to raise pH passively. You have a high-evaporation system (large sump, open-top tank), or you want to reduce the volume you're dosing via your dosers. Kalkwasser doesn't require a doser. Just an ATO reservoir and a slow drip rate.

KalkPure works well in combination with Core+ for tanks with high demand: kalk handles the baseline, Core+ tops off what kalk can't keep up with. If you run both, don't mix the two solutions together, they react and precipitate. Keep them physically separated in your system.

Sealed foil pouches at room temperature, out of direct sunlight. No refrigeration needed, refrigerating mixed stock can cause temporary cloudiness when it warms back up. Unopened packets are stable for 2+ years from the manufacture date. Once mixed into stock. Use within 30–45 days and keep the bottle capped between doses.