All for reef.

[Notsolostfish]

Is there anything wrong for using all for reef long term beside the cost for the bottle? My tank is a mixed reef 1 year old today. And everything is growing. I was wondering if there’s any downside! Or anything im missing on? Because my friend keeps saying switching to 2 part is kore beneficial and i dont want to be missing

 

[paragrouper]

You’ll find more opinions on this than Carter has little liver pills.

I use AFR myself. I only have a 32 gallon tank and the consumption is not that high. Tank parameters stay pretty stable, so I’m not sure why I would fix that which does not seem to be broken.

 

[Spare time]

There are no downsides other than the cost and you not being able to adjust things separately.

 

[areefer01]

Is there anything wrong for using all for reef long term beside the cost for the bottle?

No, there isn't. As long as the product is used correctly and the hobbyist tracks their parameters nothing to worry about. I've been using it for 3 or 4 years now in my 210 gallon display.

My tank is a mixed reef 1 year old today. And everything is growing. I was wondering if there’s any downside! Or anything im missing on? Because my friend keeps saying switching to 2 part is kore beneficial and i dont want to be missing

Did you ask them what they think is missing or what is more beneficial? It would help to put it into context while answering.

Cost is subjective. Liquid or bottle will be more expensive than the powder. The 1600 g powder container makes 10 liters and is 75 USD pre tax and shipping. I have personally not shopped around single dosing products and cost so don't know what could be cheaper that does the same thing in a single dose.

Are there cheaper solutions using DIY 2 or 3 part, yes. Are they better, or best? All subjective with a varying of opinions. I stay out of those lanes.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Is there anything wrong for using all for reef long term beside the cost for the bottle? My tank is a mixed reef 1 year old today. And everything is growing. I was wondering if there’s any downside! Or anything im missing on? Because my friend keeps saying switching to 2 part is kore beneficial and i dont want to be missing

All-For-Reef - Powder Mix

Tropic Marin All-For-Reef revolutionized aquarium additive dosing with their original pre-mixed solution, and now this same formula is available in an ultra-concentrated crystalline form that you can easily mix at home, making it more economical for systems of all sizes. All-For-Reef powder...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Use the powder. Tho 800 makes 5 liters of solution. Very cost effective. You will find in some cases you can nail cal and alk but magnesium will climb. Regular water changes will correct the magnesium issue. I dose to magnesium and find cal stays steady and I have to add Alk in my my system. It is a 75 gallon display and with sump 110 total volume

 

[javajaws]

Well you won't be getting a pH boost like you would if you were using kalk. But not everybody needs/cares about higher pH.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

AFR can be costly if your tank is large and has a high consumption.

I’ve used kalkwasser too and it’s the same end result just more steps.

Do powder. 800grams for me between tanks totaling 90g all mixed reefs for the most part. This bottle will last me a year at current consumption.

 

[Miami Reef]

Is there anything wrong for using all for reef long term beside the cost for the bottle? My tank is a mixed reef 1 year old today. And everything is growing. I was wondering if there’s any downside! Or anything im missing on? Because my friend keeps saying switching to 2 part is kore beneficial and i dont want to be missing

There is absolutely nothing harmful to long-term AFR use in a reef tank.

Over time, like limewater (kalkwasser), calcium will accumulate since AFR has a little more calcium than alkalinity.

You can mitigate this effect by changing water occasionally. If the calcium is too high, but the alkalinity is within range, dose Baking Soda or Soda Ash to maintain alkalinity until the calcium naturally drops back into range.

 

[Silverking]

I have been using it for 2 years or more and works great. Keeps my tank really stable. I don't see a down side using it long term.

 

[Doctorgori]

I’ve switched to AFR for all my tanks….no problems really,,,,,only small issue is the latency in adjusting your parameters …

I’m curious why someone thinks 2pt is better…definitely cheaper, but not easier per se …

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I’ve been using AFR for months now due to the convenience of it. Absolutely love it and doses what I need for my tank!

 

[PhilT]

Yes use the powder. You can get a powered stirrer at Amazon that will dissolve it easily. They also have 500ml plastic beakers.

 

[Jasongtr]

When using AFR powder do you mix it once and dose or does it require regular stirring?

 

[crazyfishmom]

When using AFR powder do you mix it once and dose or does it require regular stirring?

Once it fully dissolves it remains in solution. I normally invert the bottle prior to adding it to the tanks but only because I’m paranoid.

 

[areefer01]

When using AFR powder do you mix it once and dose or does it require regular stirring?

As noted below, once only. I make 3600 ml batches and dose 90 ml/day. I use a controller to dose so it is more or less set and forget. I do not stir nor have I seen a need to do so and I've been using it for a couple of years now. I do rinse out and wipe down my storage container which is just a gallon jug in between batches.

Pretty straight forward stuff to make, mix up, and store.

 

[Jasongtr]

As noted below, once only. I make 3600 ml batches and dose 90 ml/day. I use a controller to dose so it is more or less set and forget. I do not stir nor have I seen a need to do so and I've been using it for a couple of years now. I do rinse out and wipe down my storage container which is just a gallon jug in between batches.

Pretty straight forward stuff to make, mix up, and store.

Thanks, just what I wanted to hear

 

[Northern Flicker]

I’ve switched to AFR for all my tanks….no problems really,,,,,only small issue is the latency in adjusting your parameters …

I’m curious why someone thinks 2pt is better…definitely cheaper, but not easier per se …

I use AFR now due to only having 1 dosing pump, but I prefer 2 part because you can dial in alk or cal without really messing with the other.

But like many in this thread, AFR's ease of use makes it a real winner! I mix up 1L from powder at a time and it lasts me a long time.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ve switched to AFR for all my tanks….no problems really,,,,,only small issue is the latency in adjusting your parameters …

I’m curious why someone thinks 2pt is better…definitely cheaper, but not easier per se …

Not easier, but there are two issues:

1. AFR does not give any pH boost. In that context, it is overall identical to bicarbonate dosing.
2. One may need separate solutions to occasionally adjust the big 3 independent of AFR if the tank is not using them in the same ratio they are in AFR.

And one that is not necessarily an issue, but...

With lots of two/three parts to pick from, one has more control over which trace elements are dosed and how much.

 

[stewy14]

You’ll find more opinions on this than Carter has little liver pills.

I use AFR myself. I only have a 32 gallon tank and the consumption is not that high. Tank parameters stay pretty stable, so I’m not sure why I would fix that which does not seem to be broken.

can I just say
nice fox photo!
what camera? if that is your photo!!

 

[paragrouper]

can I just say
nice fox photo!
what camera? if that is your photo!!

It is not my photo. It was actually taken in Russia a number of years ago. I found it on the internet. Our friendly fox had just finished dinner.