Aquaforest dosing against other brands

[ajhudson15]

Hey guys, I currently have a 75 gallon mixed reef (mainly lps and sps). I dose aquaforests about twice a week or so. I currently dose pro bio s, np pro, pro bio f. I also dose amino mix, build, energy, vitality, and phyto.
I would say they work ok. Does nayone else dose another brand that they just love. Maybe something that has all or some of these combined into one so I don't have to get a bunch of different bottles. And yes I know buying these aren't necessary but whatever I can do to help them grow and flourish I don't mind paying for.
Just looking for other suggestions.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't use these sorts of premade "systems", but I would just say that there are important reasons that many additives are separate and trying to combine them might just end in a mess.

For example, combining bacteria (Pro Bio S and Pro Bio F) with bacteria food (many of the others) seems likely to end up as a bubbling blob of more bacteria.

 

[ajhudson15]

I don't use these sorts of premade "systems", but I would just say that there are important reasons that many additives are separate and trying to combine them might just end in a mess.

For example, combining bacteria (Pro Bio S and Pro Bio F) with bacteria food (many of the others) seems likely to end up as a bubbling blob of more bacteria.

true. im not necessarily looking for an all inclusive additive but im just wanting to know if there is something "better" than what im dosing. I know better if more of a preferred term. That's the only bad thing about this hobby. what others don't like is what others use and have great results. but if I can cut down the cost of what im dosing by having to only dose 3 things instead of 6 then that helps. Someone told me to stop all those and only dose acro power

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I think it is a reasonable plan to stop any, many, or all of those and try less extensive and expensive systems and see what impact you find. I do not think it is universally accepted that such complex systems lead to clear benefits in all cases.

 

[ajhudson15]

I think it is a reasonable plan to stop any, many, or all of those and try less extensive and expensive systems and see what impact you find. I do not think it is universally accepted that such complex systems lead to clear benefits in all cases.

any specific people you would recommend that have great luck with sps but also dose something

 

[jsker]

I used to dose them all. I decided to go back to basics and now I just use the Reefsalt. 1+2+3, a tad of Mg+. I feed my blend of frozen with the Fish V. The frozen basically has most of the ingredients that are in all the drops. I really like the Aquaforest products and my system done since switching 2 years ago.

 

[GoVols]

I used AF Comp 1+ 2+ 3+ when it first came to the US.

Used it for about 6 to 7 months.

It was a really great product.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

any specific people you would recommend that have great luck with sps but also dose something

Sorry, I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you asking for people's names or the products they use?

 

[ajhudson15]

Sorry, I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you asking for people's names or the products they use?

do you know any one you can recommend that may use any specific product they have had great results with in sps

 

[Finhead]

do you know any one you can recommend that may use any specific product they have had great results with in sps

ATI Essentials seems to be working really well for me so far. 3 parts to dose Alk, Calcium and Mag which contain tace elements. Basically the same as the Triton or Aquaforest but without having to mix anything except the 3 parts.

 

[Tautog]

FWIW, KISS, it’s true, and the more different things you add and do seem to add to the problems. Since concentrating more on daily, weekly, monthly routines, feeding less more often, and testing, testing, testing to get the 2- part daily requirements, and keep up with the demand. I stopped everything but WC’s, stabilizing the water was, and is key. I purchased T-5’s, my water is stable, and the extension is incredible. Growth is very noticeable. #1— Chase Alkalinity, 7-8.5 Ca -430 ppm Mg -1350. I keep my No3’ At 10-20 ppm , and clean more when they elevate. I use BRS 2- part and Reef Crystals. WC’s 20% every 2 weeks. Let your tank mature! Chase Alkalinity! Everything else will fall into place. Here’s a pic of a heavy growth Acro. All the white branches are from 6 months ago when purchased.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

do you know any one you can recommend that may use any specific product they have had great results with in sps

Sure, but you might not like the answer! In short: the brand or system does not make the tank. Careful husbandry does.

People have GREAT success with most brands of products, including DIY.

People also have problems of various sorts regardless of the brands of products they are using.

I think there is not actually convincing evidence that the complex methods necessarily lead to better tanks. All those folks with great tanks using simpler systems are not just doing it to save money. They do it because they are happy with the results.

It might make the reefer feel more comfortable thinking that someone has thought all this through for them, and if they just use these 7 products, the tank will be great, but there's relatively little evidence that a good reefer cannot have just as nice of a tank with much simpler methods (basically, controlling a half dozen basic parameters).

 

[Tautog]

+1, Randy, well said. The learning of “ your “ tank curve is the biggest reason I do everything manually. Tank maturity and stability. Chase Alkalinity

 

[ajhudson15]

Sure, but you might not like the answer! In short: the brand or system does not make the tank. Careful husbandry does.

People have GREAT success with most brands of products, including DIY.

People also have problems of various sorts regardless of the brands of products they are using.

I think there is not actually convincing evidence that the complex methods necessarily lead to better tanks. All those folks with great tanks using simpler systems are not just doing it to save money. They do it because they are happy with the results.

It might make the reefer feel more comfortable thinking that someone has thought all this through for them, and if they just use these 7 products, the tank will be great, but there's relatively little evidence that a good reefer cannot have just as nice of a tank with much simpler methods (basically, controlling a half dozen basic parameters).

Thanks. I Greatly appreciate your input. I do understand that there are great tanks that flourish just as well if not better than ones they have extra dosings of supplements. I guess the question I was asking is if there was any evidence that dosing extra components makes your tank flourish better and you answered it without me even asking.

I know this is soley your opinion and can change tank to tank but is there anything that you normally suggest to people to dose. Anything you feel that is of importance.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks. I Greatly appreciate your input. I do understand that there are great tanks that flourish just as well if not better than ones they have extra dosings of supplements. I guess the question I was asking is if there was any evidence that dosing extra components makes your tank flourish better and you answered it without me even asking.

I know this is soley your opinion and can change tank to tank but is there anything that you normally suggest to people to dose. Anything you feel that is of importance.

There are lots of important things to focus on, and some that are optional, IMO.

Alk as stable as possible. What level depends on your desire for faster growth, but int eh 8 dKH range is a good average level.

Calcium and magnesium maintained at appropriate levels.

A good two/three part can accomplish all of these, or a reactor. Maybe limewater on top of them if low pH is an issue.

Make sure potassium does not become depleted (but dose only when needed).

Make sure phosphate and nitrate are either not too low (or high). If nitrate is too low, supplement N via nitrate or some other way (say, amino acids).

Consider trace element supplement mixtures or extensive testing and supplement as with Triton.

Make sure organics do not accumulate so much as to yellow the water (using GAC, Purigen, etc.).

I personally like dosing organics (such as vinegar) to allow the bacteria to be food for filter feeders.

Skim, for organic export, but especially for aeration.

 

[ajhudson15]

as

There are lots of important things to focus on, and some that are optional, IMO.

Alk as stable as possible. What level depends on your desire for faster growth, but int eh 8 dKH range is a good average level.

Calcium and magnesium maintained at appropriate levels.

A good two/three part can accomplish all of these, or a reactor. Maybe limewater on top of them if low pH is an issue.

Make sure potassium does not become depleted (but dose only when needed).

Make sure phosphate and nitrate are either not too low (or high). If nitrate is too low, supplement N via nitrate or some other way (say, amino acids).

Consider trace element supplement mixtures or extensive testing and supplement as with Triton.

Make sure organics do not accumulate so much as to yellow the water (using GAC, Purigen, etc.).

I personally like dosing organics (such as vinegar) to allow the bacteria to be food for filter feeders.

Skim, for organic export, but especially for aeration.

as of recent my calcium and mag have been fine. alk has been around 10.5 to 11 and I do not dose alk. I keep salinity at 1.026 and the temp stays right around 78. I feel like the alk is high. Guessing I should do water changes to lower?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

as

as of recent my calcium and mag have been fine. alk has been around 10.5 to 11 and I do not dose alk. I keep salinity at 1.026 and the temp stays right around 78. I feel like the alk is high. Guessing I should do water changes to lower?

No, it is probably high because the salt mix is high to begin with. I'd just let it decline over time.

 

[reefndude]

I try to keep things as simple as I can. I dose 2 part and let water changes take care of mag. I feed fish heavy and on occasion will through in some reef roids. Reef roids at most every couple of weeks. Other than that the tank takes care of the rest.
I enjoy looking at the tank much more than messing with it

 

[GoVols]

Sure, but you might not like the answer! In short: the brand or system does not make the tank. Careful husbandry does.

People have GREAT success with most brands of products, including DIY.

People also have problems of various sorts regardless of the brands of products they are using.

I think there is not actually convincing evidence that the complex methods necessarily lead to better tanks. All those folks with great tanks using simpler systems are not just doing it to save money. They do it because they are happy with the results.

It might make the reefer feel more comfortable thinking that someone has thought all this through for them, and if they just use these 7 products, the tank will be great, but there's relatively little evidence that a good reefer cannot have just as nice of a tank with much simpler methods (basically, controlling a half dozen basic parameters).

....

Dilly Dilly