Aquaforest Guide

120reefkeeper · Oct 16, 2017

My target is 7.3dkh I never want to go higher than 7.8dkh .... I also use the Hanna checker.

rob safron · Oct 16, 2017

Good to know. I was thinking 7.1 was way too low and try to keep closer to 8. Maybe I’ll be happy with 7.5 and quit worrying about it. Thanks

Joe252 · Oct 16, 2017

Aquaforest said:
I see that your parameters were different when you started your dosing. Can I ask what salt you are using? I'm sure we can help get you on the right path. [emoji4]

Im using aqua vitro salinity

120reefkeeper · Oct 16, 2017

Joe252 said:
Im using aqua vitro salinity

What are the parameters of that salt ??

120reefkeeper · Oct 16, 2017

120reefkeeper said:
Well that changes things a bit. I can't really comment on using another company's salt and trying to match that to another company's supplements.

I run ULNS and have zero issues getting things to match up because they are designed to run together. Aquaforest's salts run lower Alkalinity than that. From my experience they run about 7.0 to 7.5 dkh. When you have very low nutrients you have to be very careful with Alkalinity. Especially if you have Acros. You can get tip burn if you push the Alkalinity to high.

I'm not saying it's impossible to run a different salt , but I have zero experience with trying to mix and match all these different elements.

Different salt, different Alkalinity solutions, different base elements. In my honest opinion you'd be best to pick a method and stick to it.

I chose to go all Aquaforest for stability issues. Using one company's products designed to work together is always the most stable thing to do.

@Joe252 did you see this post?

jsker · Oct 16, 2017

I would also suggest not to be to concerned with your Ca, and Mg until the alk is where you would like it then match the dosing to equal the alk. One still has to tweak all three once one gets closer to the ideal alk reading. I run a 33 conductivity and a temp of 78.3 with a higher nutrient system. I also found that the more times I dosed per day my reading steady out. I now dose 8 times a day.

waxhawreefer · Oct 16, 2017

Have been dosing 1,2,3 for about a month, before I was using ESV and dosing around 25 ml a day, started slow , checked alk every other day till it stayed around 7.3-7.5dkh, ended up dosing around 65 ml a day, to keep it constant, but on my bi-weekly test, my cal was around 550 and mag over 1500, should I dial, 2,3 down till my levels go down?? Thx

jsker · Oct 16, 2017

waxhawreefer said:
Have been dosing 1,2,3 for about a month, before I was using ESV and dosing around 25 ml a day, started slow , checked alk every other day till it stayed around 7.3-7.5dkh, ended up dosing around 65 ml a day, to keep it constant, but on my bi-weekly test, my cal was around 550 and mag over 1500, should I dial, 2,3 down till my levels go down?? Thx

Yes.

Reefhaven · Oct 16, 2017

Are people still using AF build, amino, vitality and energy? If so, how's it working out for you?

Slicktop · Oct 17, 2017

I try to dose once or twice a week. More than that I seem to have trouble with algae. LPS seem to benefit more than SPS.

jsker · Oct 17, 2017

Slicktop said:
I try to dose once or twice a week. More than that I seem to have trouble with algae. LPS seem to benefit more than SPS.

Nice tank

rob safron · Oct 24, 2017

Hey 120,

Since I posted last I did get my parameters somewhat back in line and stopped adding extra Alk 5 or 6 Days now. My parameters at that time were; Alk 7.9 CA 435 and Mg 1400. Over the last several days my Alk and Ca have been dropping, tonight Alk 6.9 Ca 415 despite increasing dosing every day starting at 135 now at 155 mls. I did add several corals prior to my last post so that makes sense. Just upped dosage again to 170 mls. Question, is there a way to increase the recipe to make the solutions more potent??

120reefkeeper · Oct 24, 2017

rob safron said:
Hey 120,

Since I posted last I did get my parameters somewhat back in line and stopped adding extra Alk 5 or 6 Days now. My parameters at that time were; Alk 7.9 CA 435 and Mg 1400. Over the last several days my Alk and Ca have been dropping, tonight Alk 6.9 Ca 415 despite increasing dosing every day starting at 135 now at 155 mls. I did add several corals prior to my last post so that makes sense. Just upped dosage again to 170 mls. Question, is there a way to increase the recipe to make the solutions more potent??

Are you currently mixing your own components 1,2,3??

Sounds like your right on track. [emoji4]

rob safron · Oct 24, 2017

Yes, well into my first batch of mixed. Guess wondering if it can be mixed stronger so the dosing pumps don’t have to work so hard. I’m guessing I’ll be well over 200 mls before this is stable.

rob safron · Oct 24, 2017

Didn’t think I was getting much growth but happen to see a pic from a month ago and definitely growth.

120reefkeeper · Oct 24, 2017

rob safron said:
Yes, well into my first batch of mixed. Guess wondering if it can be mixed stronger so the dosing pumps don’t have to work so hard. I’m guessing I’ll be well over 200 mls before this is stable.

Unfortunately no. If you mixed it according to the recipe your at the saturation point. Did you watch my video on mixing?? Just curious because when I switched from the pre made to the mix your own it was probably 2x as strong.

Here's a link in case your didn't .

rob safron · Oct 24, 2017

Yes I watched it while I mixed the first batch. I was at 190 mls pre-mixed before switching but I am seeing more growth and added several small corals in the last 6-7 weeks so explains why I’m at 170 ish with the mixed solution now.

120reefkeeper · Oct 24, 2017

Yep looks like your gonna be mixing more. The next step would be a Calcium reactor with component A,B,C. At least mixing your own is more affordable. [emoji4]