Aquaforest Guide

[VJV]

Just wanted to thank all of you for your tips around converting to Aquaforest Balling. I am mixing my own components and currently dosing 192ml of Alk, 168ml of Cal and 144ml of Mg. Consumption seems to be catching up between these so I expect that shortly I will be dosing equal amounts of each.

My SPS corals have been responding very well and as a result Alk and Cal consumption have really taken off. Very happy [emoji4].

Also, moving from Fauna Marin balling salts I must say I have never seen salts that mix so quickly and easily as these ones. Previously with my Alk solution I would need to heat the RO/DI and mix for a long time and still would get a lot of residue in the container, which in time would turn to solid chunks that would require re dissolving again. None of that with the AF stuff. It mixes quickly and still have no residue.

I am also dosing the ABVE but at a much lower than the recommended dose.

Overall, very happy so far [emoji4]

 

[Anirban]

Just wanted to thank all of you for your tips around converting to Aquaforest Balling. I am mixing my own components and currently dosing 192ml of Alk, 168ml of Cal and 144ml of Mg. Consumption seems to be catching up between these so I expect that shortly I will be dosing equal amounts of each.

My SPS corals have been responding very well and as a result Alk and Cal consumption have really taken off. Very happy [emoji4].

Also, moving from Fauna Marin balling salts I must say I have never seen salts that mix so quickly and easily as these ones. Previously with my Alk solution I would need to heat the RO/DI and mix for a long time and still would get a lot of residue in the container, which in time would turn to solid chunks that would require re dissolving again. None of that with the AF stuff. It mixes quickly and still have no residue.

I am also dosing the ABVE but at a much lower than the recommended dose.

Overall, very happy so far [emoji4]

Glad to know that. I have been using the AF line since it came in US. I think all ingredients are of high quality and thats why the results are so good. Also its a cheap option for complete balling solution. Keep it up I hope you will soon reach your target.

 

[jordimex]

Thank you for your response @Anirban just to clarify and make sure im on the right track I have a couple questions.

Just bring all your major parameters Alk, Ca and Mg at desired level and then start dosing equal amount of each component

I see that @Aquaforest recommends a DKH between 6.5 to 8, what would you say its a good number to look for? I will try to bring it up by dosing the remainder of my red sea products. Same goes for calcium and Magnesium since i tested today and see that its on the low side at 1250.
Also wondering if i should start doing water changes with the Probiotic reef salt or the Reef salt only as well as adding Bio S and using Phosphate Minus and Carbon in my phosban reactor.

You can either purchase the component 123+ or you can buy individual items and build your own components

As of the 123+ i think i will be doing the pre mixed version i live in a small appartment and think this is the easier route.

Once you establish the balance you can look into other probiotic based dosing

Going back to one of my first questions i shouldnt bother with Bio S or any of the other bacteria products?


Thank you very much

Jordi

 

[Anirban]

Thank you for your response @Anirban just to clarify and make sure im on the right track I have a couple questions.

I see that @Aquaforest recommends a DKH between 6.5 to 8, what would you say its a good number to look for? I will try to bring it up by dosing the remainder of my red sea products. Same goes for calcium and Magnesium since i tested today and see that its on the low side at 1250.
Also wondering if i should start doing water changes with the Probiotic reef salt or the Reef salt only as well as adding Bio S and using Phosphate Minus and Carbon in my phosban reactor.


As of the 123+ i think i will be doing the pre mixed version i live in a small appartment and think this is the easier route.




Going back to one of my first questions i shouldnt bother with Bio S or any of the other bacteria products?


Thank you very much

Jordi

Hey Jordi,

I am a slow kind of person when it comes to changing the system to another method of reefkeeping. I will suggest one thing at a time. So, for me it will be start with the dosing. Bring all you parameters (I like mine to be dKH-7.7-8, Ca-420-440 and Mg- 1280-1320ppm) to a desired level and then start dosing the 123+. Select a dosing amount and keep dosing all 3 at same amount. After every 24 hours check them and change your dosing amount based on the demand. It will take a few months to settle down but then it will more of a auto mode.
You can change the GFO and carbon in the reactor with the phosphate minus and carbon. I observed you have a nice low nutrient level so I will not suggest you to change your nutrient control mode right away. But will suggest you to do so once you are balanced chemically.

 

[jordimex]

Hey Jordi,

I am a slow kind of person when it comes to changing the system to another method of reefkeeping. I will suggest one thing at a time. So, for me it will be start with the dosing. Bring all you parameters (I like mine to be dKH-7.7-8, Ca-420-440 and Mg- 1280-1320ppm) to a desired level and then start dosing the 123+. Select a dosing amount and keep dosing all 3 at same amount. After every 24 hours check them and change your dosing amount based on the demand. It will take a few months to settle down but then it will more of a auto mode.
You can change the GFO and carbon in the reactor with the phosphate minus and carbon. I observed you have a nice low nutrient level so I will not suggest you to change your nutrient control mode right away. But will suggest you to do so once you are balanced chemically.

Perfect! Thank you very much @Anirban I just ordered component 123+ and as soon as i have the numbers where i want them to be i will start dosing
i will keep you posted

 

[jsker]

Perfect! Thank you very much @Anirban I just ordered component 123+ and as soon as i have the numbers where i want them to be i will start dosing
i will keep you posted

What size is your system?

 

[jordimex]

its a Red sea reefer 350 90 gallons total water taking into account all the rock i have i would guesstimate 70 actual gallons

 

[Fence13]

I've noticed recently some brown residue in the bottom of my 3+ dosing container. I know a post before said it was iron in the 1+ container so I'm not sure what could be causing this in the 3+. Thoughts?

 

[SewerynAquaforest]

I've noticed recently some brown residue in the bottom of my 3+ dosing container. I know a post before said it was iron in the 1+ container so I'm not sure what could be causing this in the 3+. Thoughts?

Don't worry about it is natural residue. You can shake it time to time but not necessarily.

 

[Colin Arlott]

Hey guys.
Can anyone please tell me if it is ok to use Pro Bio f and no pox together.
Thanks

 

[waxhawreefer]

Hey guys.
Can anyone please tell me if it is ok to use Pro Bio f and no pox together.
Thanks

Don’t think so, I tried the aquaforest products and I think they are pretty good, I’ve tried all the bacteria products but never got the results that I wanted, I then went back to nopox and within two weeks my nitrates went down and only dosing 7ml a day couldn’t be easier, their salt is great, mixes fast and clean, the component 1,2,3 are good but my tank I was dosing 120ml of alk a day to keep up, now I went back to esv and I’m only dosing 20 ml a day , huge saving in money and haven’t seen any effects on my sps, even not dosing any magnesium, and in three weeks my magnesium hasn’t dropped, makes me wonder what was in the third component??

 

[SewerynAquaforest]

Hey guys.
Can anyone please tell me if it is ok to use Pro Bio f and no pox together.
Thanks

You can do it but please look very closely to the level of your nutrients. You will use two products that have the same goal in the same time

 

[SewerynAquaforest]

Don’t think so, I tried the aquaforest products and I think they are pretty good, I’ve tried all the bacteria products but never got the results that I wanted, I then went back to nopox and within two weeks my nitrates went down and only dosing 7ml a day couldn’t be easier, their salt is great, mixes fast and clean, the component 1,2,3 are good but my tank I was dosing 120ml of alk a day to keep up, now I went back to esv and I’m only dosing 20 ml a day , huge saving in money and haven’t seen any effects on my sps, even not dosing any magnesium, and in three weeks my magnesium hasn’t dropped, makes me wonder what was in the third component??

If you want to use just Ca and Kh and have more economical solution you can use Calcium and Kh buffer in powder and dissolve. If you want to have ready to use solution you have Ca Plus and Kh Plus. It will be cheaper... Components 123+ is a totally different product. You will find there all macro and trace elements in the right proportion.
You have all info that you will need here and the video
https://aquaforest.eu/en/product/component-1-2-3/

Third solution is mineral salt with all trace and potassium.

Here you have more information about mineral salt and why we should use it.

https://aquaforest.eu/en/how-reef-mineral-salt-works/

 

[VJV]

Hi,

I have a 600Liter display tank with some 7 small SPS colonies, 3 large montipora caps (more than 25cm in diameter and with several “leaves”), one large green slimmer and one huge seriatopora caliendrun that is like a 45cm diameter ball.

Also have a number of LPS. Very little coralline algae.

I am mixing my aquaforest balling solutions with the powders.

Is it normal for this tank to be consuming 300ml of KH and Calcium, and still not being able to bring KH above 6,5 dKH?

I adjust with KH Plus, to bring it 0,5dKH up, and one week later it is back down to 6,1dKH, even dosing 300ml of the solutions [emoji50].

And I am on the second batch of salts and it keeps happening...!!?!?!?

Tank is 200cm long

 

[Anirban]

Hi,

I have a 600Liter display tank with some 7 small SPS colonies, 3 large montipora caps (more than 25cm in diameter and with several “leaves”), one large green slimmer and one huge seriatopora caliendrun that is like a 45cm diameter ball.

Also have a number of LPS. Very little coralline algae.

I am mixing my aquaforest balling solutions with the powders.

Is it normal for this tank to be consuming 300ml of KH and Calcium, and still not being able to bring KH above 6,5 dKH?

I adjust with KH Plus, to bring it 0,5dKH up, and one week later it is back down to 6,1dKH, even dosing 300ml of the solutions [emoji50].

And I am on the second batch of salts and it keeps happening...!!?!?!?

Tank is 200cm long

Yes, its completely possible as the consumption is based on size or number of corals you have in there. My small 60G drinks up 120 ml of each component as I have huge collection of SPS although they are frag or smaller colonies but still there number adds up in the consumption.

 

[Slicktop]

Quick question on mixing components 123. When i mixed my KH solution I added component K instead of component C Strong. Also, when i mixed my Minerals salts I added C strong instead on Component K. Should i throw this solution away> I have not used any of it. Thanks

 

[Anirban]

Quick question on mixing components 123. When i mixed my KH solution I added component K instead of component C Strong. Also, when i mixed my Minerals salts I added C strong instead on Component K. Should i throw this solution away> I have not used any of it. Thanks

I think @Aquaforest or @sever10 will be best person to answer this.

 

[Slicktop]

Ok Thanks, I sent Aquaforest the question

 

[Aquaforest]

Quick question on mixing components 123. When i mixed my KH solution I added component K instead of component C Strong. Also, when i mixed my Minerals salts I added C strong instead on Component K. Should i throw this solution away> I have not used any of it. Thanks

As we replied to you via PM. Though, please remember that these formulas aren't made without a reason and shoudln't be changed.

 

[Bracka345]

Good night all. I have a 150g tank and a 36g sump but with my aquascape and equipment my total water volume is 148g-150g. I recently did a water change and tested my alk 24hr later and was 7.9dkh. I then continued to test my alk daily and i dropped to 7.8dkh exactly 1 week later. I recently bought a doser and the Aquaforest Components 123. What amount should i start to dose daily to maintain the 7.9 to 8.0dkh level? Any guidance is greatly appreciated. I just found an aquaforest calculator and that say 44ml a day. Is this correct?