Erase-Cl may be used to prepare water for use in aquaria (such as when performing water changes or replacing water lost to evaporation), as well as during periods of time when the concentration(s) of ammonia and/or nitrite become measurable (ammonia and nitrite concentrations should remain immeasurable in established aquaria with mature biological filtration, except for periods when new livestock are added to the system or the concentration of dissolved organic material has increased for some reason). Erase-Cl is not meant to be considered a substitute for maintaining adequate filtration equipment/methods or the care thereof, however it can be utilized as needed in the prevention of ammonia or nitrite from irritating sensitive aquarium inhabitants. A balanced aquarium is one in which the rate of organic material input to the system is matched by the removal rate from filtration methods; it is natural for a system to become unbalanced for short periods of time after adding new livestock, disturbing the biological filtration, changing feeding habits, etc. , however the system should fall back into balance again within a period of days. If concentrations of ammonia or nitrite are persistently-measurable with a quality test kit, test the source water (i. e. tap water or water from the purification unit (if applicable)) for these substances. If they are not present, reducing the rate of organic material input, increasing the filtration capacity, or even moving the inhabitants into a larger system may be warranted. Chronic levels of ammonia and nitrite can gradually weaken fish and invertebrates, often leading to illness and potentially death. Erase-Cl immediately binds iodine in the event of an overdose (typified by “drooping” and rapidly decaying tissue of corals, clams, their allies, and other sessile invertebrates, as well as erratic behavior and/or death of fishes and motile invertebrates), decreasing the potential for damage to livestock and the beneficial microbes that constitute the biological filter. Note: It is strongly recommended that hobbyists administering Lugol’s-type iodine supplements (which are typically extremely strong) to reef aquaria have a bottle of Er?se-Cl on hand at all times, in case of accidental overdose.