AF Products Advice

[Banouie]

Hi guys, sorry for the noob questions...

I’ve recently switched over to Comp 123 after changing over to AF reef salt. I’ve taken my time and I’m confident I’ve got things dialled in correctly.

I’d perhaps like to bring down my Phosphate and Nitrates a little more. I currently have a small reactor running Rowa and also have the option to add a reactor with bio balls, however I’m liking the AF product line so am tempted to switch to the AF reactor with the zeo/carbon/phos mix...is this the way forward?

My sump is also home to some Live Rock rubble and a small amount of cheato. Should I look to lose this?

Finally, to get my corals really going, what AF products/supplements/foods have you used that have given you noticeable results

Finally (part 2), I test at home regularly but, is there a recommended water test for AF users, ie the Triton test or similar?

Go easy on me, this is my first post and I’m by no means an experienced reefer. Thanks for your help!

 

[jordimex]

following

 

[Banouie]

@jordimex After a bit of advice on the AF Facebook page,I’ve made the leap and ordered some AF products...

NP Pro
Pro Bio S
Amino Mix
Vitality
Energy
Build

I’ll let you know how things work out

 

[jordimex]

@jordimex After a bit of advice on the AF Facebook page,I’ve made the leap and ordered some AF products...

NP Pro
Pro Bio S
Amino Mix
Vitality
Energy
Build

I’ll let you know how things work out

thank you very much @Banouie let me know how it goes! im about to change to the aquaforest method and im gathering all the info i can hope someone else could chime in

 

[Perry]

Hi @Banouie,
Began dosing any products 1/2 dose. Alternate days on Build/Energy, following day Amino Mix/Vitality. Begin NP Pro and Pro Bio S at 1/2 dose as well. Make daily observations. It is normal to see bacteria build on rock and sand. You will likely experience what I feel is a second cycle. Should eventually see very clean appearance on rock, and water pristine. This takes time. Observe corals daily, look for polyp expansion, and general indicators of health. Like all things in this hobby, success is through stability, patience pays off Ensure the protein skimmer is up to the task, the skimmate should become darker and much more smelly. That said, make sure the skimmer is set to dry. No need to discontinue skimming with any of the AF products. Refrigerate bacteria(Pro Bio S) and Energy. Make sure all medias soaked and rinsed with RODI. Just a few basics Have a nice day!

 

[Banouie]

Hi @Banouie,
Began dosing any products 1/2 dose. Alternate days on Build/Energy, following day Amino Mix/Vitality. Begin NP Pro and Pro Bio S at 1/2 dose as well. Make daily observations. It is normal to see bacteria build on rock and sand. You will likely experience what I feel is a second cycle. Should eventually see very clean appearance on rock, and water pristine. This takes time. Observe corals daily, look for polyp expansion, and general indicators of health. Like all things in this hobby, success is through stability, patience pays off Ensure the protein skimmer is up to the task, the skimmate should become darker and much more smelly. That said, make sure the skimmer is set to dry. No need to discontinue skimming with any of the AF products. Refrigerate bacteria(Pro Bio S) and Energy. Make sure all medias soaked and rinsed with RODI. Just a few basics Have a nice day!

Excellent! Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'll let you know how I get on

Best
Stu

 

[Perry]

Excellent! Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'll let you know how I get on

Best
Stu

Your welcome Stu! Have a great week

 

[KJoFan]

Hi @Banouie,
Began dosing any products 1/2 dose. Alternate days on Build/Energy, following day Amino Mix/Vitality. Begin NP Pro and Pro Bio S at 1/2 dose as well. Make daily observations. It is normal to see bacteria build on rock and sand. You will likely experience what I feel is a second cycle. Should eventually see very clean appearance on rock, and water pristine. This takes time. Observe corals daily, look for polyp expansion, and general indicators of health. Like all things in this hobby, success is through stability, patience pays off Ensure the protein skimmer is up to the task, the skimmate should become darker and much more smelly. That said, make sure the skimmer is set to dry. No need to discontinue skimming with any of the AF products. Refrigerate bacteria(Pro Bio S) and Energy. Make sure all medias soaked and rinsed with RODI. Just a few basics Have a nice day!

I had this exact experience with my new tank and the use of NP Pro and Pro Bio S. Bacteria build up, a mini cycle, then stark white rock and clear water. Unfortunately, now that I've cleared that hurdle, cyano has set in. Hopefully you don't experience that step.

 

[Daydream Corals]

Hi Perry,

Your supposed to refrigerate energy? I have had it in just with the others because it didn't say refrigerate. What about phyto also?

 

[Perry]

If it is a food or bacteria, I refrigerate, period. Yes, I refrigerate Energy, I do not however with phyto, and have never had issues dosing. Technically, if you are storing in a dark dry area, the temperature needs to be constant at 74 degrees or less, then you do not have to refrigerate any products. If you leave out one day, no worries, it likely did not spoil. This is just a habit of old habits, LOL

 

[Banouie]

Ok, quick update....so

Just ordered my second lot of all the previous mentioned products.

I’ve added some small SPS colonies and frags and they’re doing very well, how ever I have lost a couple of fuzzy mushrooms, however all this could be attributed to changing my old iLumenair lights to 2 Radions and then later adding a third...TBH I probably should have ramped things up a little more patiently as they are a million times better than the previous lights.

As for water parameters things have definitely steadied out and I’ve had to start dosing more Components 123

Coral wise my lobos and euphillia are doing noticeably well as are my Zoas.

My biggest concern has been my phosphates, it’s my only parameter that hasn’t levelled out despite running a small reactor with Rowaphos....

So, after watching an AF stream on FB, I’ve recently picked up the af110 as advised, as well as the 3 AF products with the intention of running the stack system (albeit keeping the Phos Minus separate via an extra sponge).

Perry, I was hoping you could shed some light on media amounts? Should I start small and build or go straight in and fill that reactor up? Also, I’ve plumbed in an Eheim Compact 2000 but have also plumbed in a valve to adjust/slow things down...does the media need to tumble?

S

 

[Banouie]

Hey guys, back with another question...Life Bio in another reactor plumbed to the af stacked reactor, run off of single pump. Any advice, benefits? Is it a good idea

Tia