AFR vs 2-Part vs Water Changes

[RichWise73]

I have been using All For Reef over the past year in my 20-gallon cube and was wondering if switching to two-part would be a better way to keep my parameters stable. Or, since the volume is so small, would frequent, smaller water changes be an option. With the AFR, I find myself dosing magnesium to keep magnesium levels from dipping below 1350 ppm. The salt I currently use Fritz RPM in the blue box.

Thanks for looking and thanks again if you offer some feedback.

 

[lil sumpin]

I have a slightly smaller volume than you, 14gals and I've found that daily AFR use isn't cutting it for me. I use ESV's 2 part to boost the parameters when I notice dips and fluctuations and that happens about once or twice a week. Many have said that frequent enough water changes alone can keep parameters in check in a nano reef. What's your testing regimen like and what can you observe?

 

[Doctorgori]

I’d stick with AFR
Do two water changes of 1gallon each in the morning and call me if you need anything

and as a SLAVE to a Reefer 900XXXL and a 750XXL I feel no sympathy for you….or your water changes LOL

 

[twentyleagues]

I would just dose some mag supplement. I use afr and I dont know if I my corals just dont use mag that much or the test kit is faulty but my mag is usually 1500+. I change about 15g of water biweekly in a 120g system I use reef crystals.

 

[RichWise73]

I have a slightly smaller volume than you, 14gals and I've found that daily AFR use isn't cutting it for me. I use ESV's 2 part to boost the parameters when I notice dips and fluctuations and that happens about once or twice a week. Many have said that frequent enough water changes alone can keep parameters in check in a nano reef. What's your testing regimen like and what can you observe?

I check salinity, alk, nitrate and phosphate weekly. I check calcium, magnesium and iodine every two weeks. Alk and calcium stay consistent but magnesium always starts to drop over time.

 

[Mechano]

I have been using All For Reef over the past year in my 20-gallon cube and was wondering if switching to two-part would be a better way to keep my parameters stable. Or, since the volume is so small, would frequent, smaller water changes be an option. With the AFR, I find myself dosing magnesium to keep magnesium levels from dipping below 1350 ppm. The salt I currently use Fritz RPM in the blue box.

Thanks for looking and thanks again if you offer some feedback.

Water changes and maybe just kalkwasser top off (the one by brightwell that also contains magnesium—think it’s kalkwasser+2)

You have a very small system, water changes are an easy solution. If your salinity is 1.024-1.025 , bump it up to 1.026.

Having a 235 g system, I do 50g water changes every week even with AFR being used. Yours is easy-peasy to do the W/Cs

 

[lil sumpin]

I think Randy says mag testing is all a sham or somethin like that

 

[Doctorgori]

and as a SLAVE to a Reefer 900XXXL and a 750XXL I feel no sympathy for you….or your water changes

You have a very small system, water changes are an easy solution. If your salinity is 1.024-1.025 , bump it up to 1.026.

Having a 235 g system, I do 50g water changes every week even with AFR being used. Yours is easy-peasy to do the W/Cs

To put it in a nicer way LOL

 

[RichWise73]

Water changes and maybe just kalkwasser top off (the one by brightwell that also contains magnesium—think it’s kalkwasser+2)

You have a very small system, water changes are an easy solution. If your salinity is 1.024-1.025 , bump it up to 1.026.

Having a 235 g system, I do 50g water changes every week even with AFR being used. Yours is easy-peasy to do the W/Cs

Thanks for the info.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

You can do 100 percent water changes as much as you want. But it isn't always practical. I would find the balance between the water change and dosing. Consistency even if the consistency is being inconsistent is better than chasing numbers. Unless corals are unhappy, it'll be fine.

 

[happyhourhero]

I’d add kalk to your stack. It’s life changing with AFR.

 

[RichWise73]

You can do 100 percent water changes as much as you want. But it isn't always practical. I would find the balance between the water change and dosing. Consistency even if the consistency is being inconsistent is better than chasing numbers. Unless corals are unhappy, it'll be fine.

I’m hoping a consistent higher magnesium level will help with coral growth. My frags encrust like crazy but take forever to start actually growing in terms of the branches.

 

[RichWise73]

I’d add kalk to your stack. It’s life changing with AFR.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Troylee]

I’m hoping a consistent higher magnesium level will help with coral growth. My frags encrust like crazy but take forever to start actually growing in terms of the branches.

Got nothing to do with it if you’re talking sticks.. LPs tend to like an elevated mag 1350 is a good spot but some people run it higher.. sticks like alk and calcium.

 

[twentyleagues]

I’m hoping a consistent higher magnesium level will help with coral growth. My frags encrust like crazy but take forever to start actually growing in terms of the branches.

This is typical of sps. Much easier to encrust and solidify their base first. I dont think mag is going to help. As long as you are over 1200 it shouldnt matter.

 

[RichWise73]

Got nothing to do with it if you’re talking sticks.. LPs tend to like an elevated mag 1350 is a good spot but some people run it higher.. sticks like alk and calcium.

This is typical of sps. Much easier to encrust and solidify their base first. I dont think mag is going to help. As long as you are over 1200 it shouldnt matter.

Thanks both of you for the input. My mag is consistently over 1200, usually drops as low as 1250 before I bump it back up to 1350-1400. I probably won’t change much then, other than looking at kalkwasser it my top off water.

 

[Troylee]

Thanks both of you for the input. My mag is consistently over 1200, usually drops as low as 1250 before I bump it back up to 1350-1400. I probably won’t change much then, other than looking at kalkwasser it my top off water.

That will help! It keeps your ph higher… just make sure to watch your alk it will rise and it’s harder to dial in cause evap isn’t always constant

 

[stoney7713]

How are the nitrates and phosphates? Would more water changes bottom them out?

I would stick with AFR and dose magnesium on the side. That's exactly what I do now.

 

[RichWise73]

How are the nitrates and phosphates? Would more water changes bottom them out?

I would stick with AFR and dose magnesium on the side. That's exactly what I do now.

Yeah. I’m dosing to keep them elevated. Nitrate is usually around 10 ppm and phosphate is around 0.05 - 0.07 ppm.

 

[stoney7713]

So water changes would increase to keep the trace elements in check, magnesium maybe, lowering nitrates and phosphates, increasing those doses.

If your tank looks good now I'd stick with what you're doing.

I buy the AFR powder from Petco when they have 35% off repeat delivery (it's not available right now).

Now if you're battling algae, it could be due to the amount of trace elements from AFR.
(Don't recommend an Urchin see SBB thread)

I have dosed 2 part and kalk in the past, AFR is the easiest for me because water change intervals vary due to my kids' priorities.

KZ1234 is another option with 2 part.