Aquaforest RS vs Tropic Marin PR

[reeferfoxx]

Right now, I use Tropic Marin Pro Reef salt. I've been loving this salt since day one. Except for my last bucket. Parameters were slightly off with really high magnesium and slightly lower alkalinity. Not a huge deal but enough to question the extra $20 difference between the two.

Some things I like about TMPR -

• Consistency(usually)
• Mixes fast(20-30 minutes)
• @1.026 (Ca 450, Dkh 8.5, Mag 1340, pH 8.3ish)
• Doesn't leave residue

Does anyone have experience with TMPR and have you switched to Aquaforest reef salt?
Let me know what you think?

 

[143MPCo]

@jsker has experience with AquaForest products, lets see if he's around.

 

[jsker]

I switched to AF products in the beginning for Febuary 2016 and could not be happier. I am also running AF's version of the Balling Method and my number stay very consistent and my corals growth has dubbled and even tripled in the past 5 months. FYI the guy that invented the balling method now works with tropic Marin.

The salt mixes in about 10 to 15 minutes
Here is the site AquaForest
AF facebooks
Here is a AF threads here and I will post here when they pop up again on the sponsor threads.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tanks-based-on-aquaforest-products.231650/

What is really nice about these guy is they answer questions pretty quick.

 

[jsker]

Since I am now sitting at a keyboard I have run TMPR and it is a good salt, but as you stated it can be expensive like this hobby. Before I switch from Red Sea, I was not looking to switch, it was suggested that I try AF. There was not much out on AF here and in English but one thing I did find is that the AF is a complete different and simple to use. Calculating doses is much simpler and most of the product that I was dosing was produced in large container and that works for me with my schedule, and setup for auto dosing. Price wise the AF is about a quarter to a third less for the reason I am using less components of products to get the same results. I member ( @120reefkeeper ) and I got the recipe for the Balling mix and we can now save on mixing our own components 1+2+3+

I would be help is you @120reefkeeper could throw your thought in please

 

[reeferfoxx]

@jsker, is this a type of salt that would require me to start dosing components? Or can I get away with starting using the salt and begin using my part 1 and part 2 dosing regimen? Granted I might need to make adjustments to dosing.

Also, it says to mix at 75deg F. I mix my salt at 78 deg F. Will this affect anything?

I noticed it's a new salt, but its similar to TMPR in parameters. However, TMPR states it contains all 70 NSW elements. Is this not the case for AF?

Sorry for all the questions lol

 

[120reefkeeper]

I was an RC fan for many years before I switched. RC now has some kind of caking agent in it and it was leaving a nasty residue in my mixing station. I was looking for a new salt because I didn't want to put that brown gunk in my tank.

I found out about Aquaforest and started doing some research. I was impressed with the method and the ease of use.

I currently using the probiotic salt, pro bio s and the np pro. I have the components 123 on hand and will be starting up the balling method here shortly.

AF has been nothing short of awesome. My phos and nitrate have come way down since I started dosing the pro bio s, and np pro. I can now easily maintain phos around .04 and nitrate < 5ppm. This is exactly where I want to be. I am continuing to expand my use of AF products and for the price you can't go wrong. I encourage you to join the discussions on this page.

Tanks based on Aquaforest Products:
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/Tanks-based-on-Aquaforest-Products:.231650/

The AF reps are great and answer any and all questions .

From a user standpoint who has been in the hobby for about 12 years I can say I've found my home when it comes to products . I encourage you to check them out! You won't be disappointed! [emoji41][emoji6]

 

[120reefkeeper]

@jsker, is this a type of salt that would require me to start dosing components? Or can I get away with starting using the salt and begin using my part 1 and part 2 dosing regimen? Granted I might need to make adjustments to dosing.

Also, it says to mix at 75deg F. I mix my salt at 78 deg F. Will this affect anything?

I noticed it's a new salt, but its similar to TMPR in parameters. However, TMPR states it contains all 70 NSW elements. Is this not the case for AF?

Sorry for all the questions lol

Don't want to step on anyone's toes but I think I can help answer a few of these questions.

I started my switch by doing normal water changes with the probiotic salt. Once I had cycled through my tank after about 8 water changes over the course of 2 months then I began to dose the pro bio s and np pro . Those products are used to control phos and nitrate. It took about 2 weeks of dosing and my phos and nitrate came way down and are now exactly where I want them. The dosing of other components etc are a replacement for the big three like calcium , alk and mag. I've used kalkwasser to maintain levels via my ato and now I'm starting to switch off the kalk and to the components +1+2+3.

My intentions with using these particular AF products is to run an SPS tank. AF has other types of salt and components for all different types of tanks etc.... So dosing depends on the type of system you have and what your goals are.

This is the user guide .

http://aquaforest.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Aquaforest_Products-Guide_EN_RGB.pdf

 

[reeferfoxx]

Thank you for the input! Basically I have two tanks. One of them is full of coral and one fish. The other is fairly new(7+ months) and going through some ugly phases. The newer tank is not requiring any dosing at the moment. However the older tank, full of coral, is maintained with A and B 2 part dosing. Really I just need to keep the older tank alive, while the new tank transitions. End game is to get rid of the old tank.

I want to be reassured that I can keep temp at 78 without issues and that my older tank will remain in it's state without dosing anything else other than the 2 part?

 

[reeferfoxx]

Okay, I looked through the product guide and it appears I would need to dose the pro bio S and NP pro. This might be a deciding factor.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Thank you for the input! Basically I have two tanks. One of them is full of coral and one fish. The other is fairly new(7+ months) and going through some ugly phases. The newer tank is not requiring any dosing at the moment. However the older tank, full of coral, is maintained with A and B 2 part dosing. Really I just need to keep the older tank alive, while the new tank transitions. End game is to get rid of the old tank.

I want to be reassured that I can keep temp at 78 without issues and that my older tank will remain in it's state without dosing anything else other than the 2 part?

I used the probiotic salt and got my levels set using ESV products at first.

I mix my salt at about 72 degrees, through in a heater and pump and mix it until the temp is 78. That's the temp I run my tank at. The AF salt mixes clear in 15 minutes or less but I have to wait for the temp to come up to 78.... No problems what so ever .

 

[120reefkeeper]

After using the pro bio s and np pro I no longer have to run gfo or bio pellets. [emoji41]

 

[reeferfoxx]

After using the pro bio s and np pro I no longer have to run gfo or bio pellets. [emoji41]

I've never had to run either of those. My old tank maintains No3 2ppm and PO4 0.04ppm. Just seems that what sounded like a more affordable salt has turned into a monthly subscription(figuratively speaking) lol

 

[120reefkeeper]

I've never had to run either of those. My old tank maintains No3 2ppm and PO4 0.04ppm. Just seems that what sounded like a more affordable salt has turned into a monthly subscription(figuratively speaking) lol

Well it all depends on what you want to do lol . It is a more affordable salt but it's also designed as a system . Over all the cost involved over the LONG term make it more affordable . In the short term it is an investment. It's a choice , one I don't regret [emoji16]I'm smiling from ear to ear!

 

[reeferfoxx]

Well it all depends on what you want to do lol . It is a more affordable salt but it's also designed as a system . Over all the cost involved over the LONG term make it more affordable . In the short term it is an investment. It's a choice , one I don't regret [emoji16]I'm smiling from ear to ear!

I hear you! I think the cost of the salt needs to be noted as slightly misleading due to it being 'part of a system'. I guess i'll be ordering my typical TMPR, for now

 

[SeaDweller]

What made you consider the regular RS over the PB?

 

[reeferfoxx]

What made you consider the regular RS over the PB?

Me?

 

[SeaDweller]

Me?

Yeah, I was contemplating making the switch too but didn't know if the PB would be "better" than the regular RS. Just wanted to see why some chose one over the other. The salts look promising in general

 

[reeferfoxx]

Yeah, I was contemplating making the switch too but didn't know if the PB would be "better" than the regular RS. Just wanted to see why some chose one over the other. The salts look promising in general

I chose RS because the PB and like other probiotic salts, they contain amino acids and other organics that I rather not deal with? I like having control over what I put in my water. Also, 'dry' probiotics are by no means 'alive'. A while back I looked into TM Bio Activ and some were complaining their Alk was dropping faster than normal. I guess I like things to be a little more simplistic?

 

[SeaDweller]

I chose RS because the PB and like other probiotic salts, they contain amino acids and other organics that I rather not deal with? I like having control over what I put in my water. Also, 'dry' probiotics are by no means 'alive'. A while back I looked into TM Bio Activ and some were complaining their Alk was dropping faster than normal. I guess I like things to be a little more simplistic?

I also heard people were having issues when mixing it up and leaving it sitting since it had PB in it, so their RS would be my choice too. If you get it post up the real parameters after mixing.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I also heard people were having issues when mixing it up and leaving it sitting since it had PB in it, so their RS would be my choice too. If you get it post up the real parameters after mixing.

Like the product description shows, I would have to start a separate dosing regimen from my 2 part dosing. $65 a bucket + $20 + tax for the system, costs more than a bucket of TMPR. Or you could look at it being the same. At this point, I'm just look for salt. Not a full balling or component system to create a magazine worthy tank.