KSM not only contains strontium chloride but a real small amount of molybdenum chloride as well, plus a special kelp extract, a concentrate in reality, that we have found to be beneficial to invertebrates in general.
The exact make-up percentage-wise is something that can unfortunately not be divulged for commerical reasons, as I am sure you can understand. Note though that the K does not stand for potassium as one competitor implied by copying the product and comparing it to ours. K stands for Kelp in this case.
The fact that KSM was beneficial to corals was determined through real world testing this mixture on corals such as: Euphyllia_, _Catataphyllia_, _Plerogyra_, _Actinodiscus_, _Discosoma_, and other species yet.
All with real positive results for these corals. Testing was performed using a tank in which the actual corals mentioned were placed and a similar one used as a control.
To one tank we added KSM and to other one not. The method is similar to the one described in another article that can be found on this site so I will not elaborate on it. You can read the method used in the other article if you are interested.
The test was repeated several times to test if the beneficial results could be reproduced and the tests were conclusive. In addition, hobbyists who use KSM report excellent results with it. Some even feel that it helps their corals resist RTN. I have not tested this. All I am doing is relaying information in this regard that was passed on to me. If this is indeed the case, and I have no reason to doubt what I was told, KSM use becomes very beneficial in aquariums with both SPS and LPS corals.
KSM is contained in Vital Gold. How much of it? Enough to cover the requirements of a tank that has an average load of invertebrates populating the aquarium. Using it separately and in addition to Vital Gold will, however, produce better results.
If you maintain larger amounts of invertebrates in your tank you may need to supplement with extra KSM to ensure that enough is present to cover the needs of all the corals you have. This is especially so if you have a great amount of soft corals in the tank. They appear to benefit from it a great deal.
The testing also revealed that corraline algae grow better and faster when the combination of the two products mentioned earlier is used.
If you are not sure whether your tank has an average load or a high load, discuss it with your pet shop, or call us. We will be glad to help you. If you have more than one animal per 4 to 5 gallons of water you definitely have a high load by the way. You can also Email Us directly from this document.
What is unique to KSM is the kelp extract that we have added and that benefits all corals and all invertebrates. This extract has been refined over the years and is not found in any other commercial supplement available on the market (to our knowledge).
Companies who have copied our KSM supplement have no idea of how the extract is made and what it contains. This makes KSM the only product that offers you the added advantage of having that additive included.
KSM is very easy to add. It comes in a premixed liquid. Determine whether you need it and then start using it if you do. Again, if you are not sure call us or email us and we will gladly help you out.
Can you overdose with KSM? It is highly unlikely that you would since if you add too much of this product corals and invertebrates will only take out of the water the quantity they require. The balance will be filtered out or will removed by your protein skimmer.
Overdosing is just about impossible. This is an added feature that you should not disregard.
Start by using Vital Gold and rely on the KSM in it to satisfy the needs of your corals. When you add more corals and invertebrates to your tank at a later date, seriously consider adding KSM as well to provide the additional strontium chloride needed for the calcium chemistry of the corals to take place more uniformaly and more easily.
Unless your tank is overstocked right from the start, which is unlikely, you do not need KSM as yet.
Vital Gold suffices. It contains all the elements that your fishes and corals need, including the strontium and molybdenum chloride and the kelp extract.
Since Strontium chloride greatly assists in the chemistry of calcium and makes it easier for corals to uptake calcium from the water and convert it to calcium carbonate and then precipitate it, it is to be considered a very important supplement, one you should not overlook.
Too many hobbyists unfortunately do so. Don’t be part of that group!
KSM is for saltwater reef tanks only.
Do not use it in freshwater aquariums. You will do no damage if you accidently add KSM to a freshwater tank. However, if you do it regularly you are wasting your money because it serves no purpose in freshwater tanks and is removed by the filters anyway.
The only benefit you would derive by using KSM in freshwater planted aquariums is that you would have healthier plants because plants do up-take molybdenum chloride. If you are heavily into growing plants this is an advantage that is not to be overlooked.
Some hobbyists use KSM in freshwater plant tanks but first dilute it in a 1:4 ratio, meaning the end mixture that they use contains 25 percent KSM and 75 percent treated water, free of nitrates, phosphates, silicates and other pollutants.
Strontium IS necessary. It is found in all coral skeletons. Definitely add it if your tank has a heavy or medium load.
Heavy : more than one animal per 5 gallons
Medium: more than one animal per 8 gallons
Light: about one animal per 10-11 gallons.
When in doubt, add KSM.
The correct dosage that should be used is:
1 teaspoon per 40 gallons of water in the aquarium, every day in heavy load situations, every other day in medium load situations and twice a week in low load aquariums. If you use Vital Gold, the amount contained in it may be enough for your real low load tank, and you may not need to add it separately.
KSM has is a little greenish in color and contains some particles. These have a tendency to settle. Shake the bottle before using KSM.
Refrigerate, especially in areas where temperature is real high. We do not use preservatives. The main reason for this is that we do not want to introduce chemicals in the tank that are not needed.
A concentrate which is 8 times stronger is available as well. It is sold in a 16 oz bottle, which you can dilute as per instructions or use as is if you have a large aquarium.
There has been some doubt about the exact quantity needed as some bottles have been sent out with an old label. We apologize for that error. The correct amounts are the ones listed above. Again, our apologies to those who have received KSM with a label that stated a far lower dose.
Update KSM-1997, July 10, 97. A. Thiel for Thiel Aqua Tech