Aquaforest 1+2+3

mymarinedream · Mar 12, 2020

I've just purchased the aquaforest1+2+3 and everything I read is quite clear to dose all 3 in equal amounts with the quantity determined by the alk usage of my tank. Only issue I have is my Ca is already high. My question is do I still dose?

Current Parameters:-

Ca 540 (Hanna instrument)
Mg 1180 (Salifert)
Alk 8.0 (Usage 0.1 per day) (Hanna instrument)
Phosphorous 5 ppb (Hanna instrument)
NO3 <1.0 (ELOS)

Leadfooted · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome to R2R! I'm not an expert with 1,2,3 but can you tell us if you have corals yet? They'll need to know what may be consuming elements and nutrients. You might want to dial your CA back a little, most like the range of 420-480.

BeejReef · Mar 12, 2020

You might try the chemistry forum as well

Reef Chemistry by Randy Holmes-Farley

Need some help with the chemistry aspect of your aquarium or have some knowledge you would like to share? Please start a new topic. This forum is moderated by Randy Holmes-Farley.

www.reef2reef.com

I'd probly adjust mag up and just dose alk for a week or so until calcium came down to mid 400's and go from there. Would also test my fresh mixed saltwater to see if the issue is with your saltwater or your dosing. Greater minds in the chem forum though.

Welcome

SPR1968 · Mar 12, 2020

If the elements are out of line you dose to bring them back to the correct levels so you may need to use different products to achieve this,

So don’t add anything with calcium as it needs to drop To say 430-460
Raise your magnesium to around 1350 as it’s very low and this interferes with its interaction with the other elements.

Only add what’s needed after you’ve tested for it and nothing else

And welcome to R2R!

Quietman · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

Billldg · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!! Sorry, but I have no experience with Aquafirest products, but I wouldn’t dose Cal with it already that high. As others have said it would let I drop to the mid 400’s and raise you mag u to the mid 1300’s.

W1ngz · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome!
I use the 123 (mix my own, which is cheaper by 2/3rds). Your best bet would be to stabilize all your parameters where you want them before moving to dosing regimen. The ratios that each is consumed is pretty consistent and I've maintained rock solid levels by dosing the three in equal amounts.

I'd start by making sure your salinity measurements are correct. Something has pushed your Ca high. Could be dosing another product, salt mix or higher than normal salinity.

Once you're sure the salinity is right, re-check the calcium level in the tank, as well as in freshly mixed water to get some clues why the Ca is high. Lower the Ca either with water changes, or by letting it come down on it's own without adding anything that increases it.

Increase your Mg to closer to sea water levels. Somewhere between 1300-1450 is good.

Keep dosing whatever you are already doing to maintain the Alk, so that the Ca can continue to come down. If the alk supplement you are already using contains calcium, then just plain baking soda is a fine substitute for short term use.

With a consumption of only 0.1 dKH per day, you probably will only need a few ml. Dose less than you think you need, and correct it manually until you find the point where it's balanced and you no longer need to make manual corrections.

dbl · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome to R2R and your new reefing family. Not to pile on, I would suggest bringing the levels to a "starting" point and then proceed with the "normal" dosing procedures.

fishface NJ · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

Peace River · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

@SKYHIGGh - can you help answer the OPs question?

Ruben's Reef · Mar 12, 2020

!!! Welcome to R2R !!!

JoshO · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome to R2R!

The Aquatic Arsenal · Mar 12, 2020

You can use baking soda to raise your Alk to where you want it. There are reef calculators online that can help with that.

I am curious to what kind of coral you have as well as wanting to know if you have coraline algea growing at all?

fishguy242 · Mar 12, 2020

hi welcome to the reef going to love it here
open 24-7 fun/help/fun/info/fun
pics..we all love pics

DMG Reef · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome to R2R! I use Tropic Marin's balling method. I started out dosing equal amounts of the 3 components, but over time I've had to dose less calcium than alk. Just test a lot in the beginning and adjust your dosages accordingly.

Entz · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome to R2R.

As mentioned get the levels stable then setup your dosing and measure often to see where you were at. I ran 1+2+3 up until very recently and ended up dosing lower Calcium and Mag then Alk . Mag especially was like 1/3. I blame my salt for that though.

KJ · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

jsker · Mar 12, 2020

Welcome to R2R.

I would suggest balancing out you alk first. Once you have your Alk balanced out you will need to adjust your Ca and Mg. If one has a high reading on one element, let the element dissipate. This will take time. Maybe a month.

Note: test before you make a water change and 3 days after a water change. If you test just after a water change your element will be sky high since the salt is replenishing elements the old school way before dosing

If you need to brink your alk up purchase KH plus and that goes for Ca, use Ca plus and Mg use Mg plus. One can also use, and I would recommend using Aquaforest calcium, magnesium or Kh Buffer to dose up the elements. I use the Calcium Magnesium, and KH buffer to make adjustments using the calculator on the Aquaforest. Purchasing the linked elements is more cost effective since you will have to dose less of a anount then the pre mixed.

One can also use the linked elements for the miix your own 1+2+3+ recipe along with components strong and mineral salt.

Have you gone over to the Aquaforest Forum? There is a lot of good information on dosing and effects

@120reefkeeper is a great source for information in regards to Aquforest.

I hope this helps?