HAS AQUAFORST SALT HELPED YOUR SPS's ?

[johanngh1977]

I think aquaforest is the best and easiest to use right now in the market ... for about 6 months I have used all of its product line, with "reef salt", my only complaint and it is something that worries me a lot, it is That in my stones there is a kind of algae, not green, brown, it is something like a thin layer like velvet, light gray and about 1/4 inch, the curious thing is that I have never been able to remove it even in my Water changes about 30% each 2 weeks, I try to remove with a brush and nothing I get there ... I use kessil ap 700 at 30% and 2 t5 as a supplement "ati blue plus and actinic 39 watts" But that achievement is when I do not use the t5 light, I see that this algae decreases ... my parameters are alk 8.1, calc 440, mag 1400, salt 0.26, po3-0, po4 0.02 <0.08 and my temp, 76-77 fy I add as they say np pro and pro bio, af build, af energy, af amino mix and af coral v each second day with light off ....
Someone had this situation with aquaforest ????
So the corals look good, I have never lost any, I still think they are adapting to this new environment, it was a new system 75g

any advice ?????

 

[David Cher]

Someone please tell me how a product like aquaforest could cause a tank crash.

you will know when your tank crash

 

[ontop27]

I personally will never use it again. Too many issues come with using that brand. The common response is that all the problems experienced are "user error" but it is funny how most of the users report similar issues which makes it a common occurrence with that brand. I had to do a 100% WC change out. Even though my tank has been running for 4 months (2 1/2 months cycling), the test sps corals were doing horribly with that salt. Both the smooth skin SPS (red dragon & hawkins echinata) I placed in there eventually RTN'd and I can no longer keep them no matter how many I replace. The other 2 sps, milliporas, recovered fine after doing the 100% WC with another salt brand.

Edit: I used the full system minus the zeo stuff, carbon, and gfo.

A one and a half month old tank and difficult sps?? I can't imagine that's aqua forests fault

 

[120reefkeeper]

I've used the full probiotic method from Aquaforest for about 7 months now. My SPS dominate tank loves Aquaforest products. IMHO if your going to use their additives then just go full on probiotic salt.

The guide could use some work and I've talked with a lot of reefers that either use Aquaforest or want to. The same questions pop up about dosing etc. The only warning I'll say about using this method is that Aquaforest makes it very easy to go UNLS. That being said after you reach that point then you'll need to modify your dosing of the np pro, pro bio s, ABVE. So you don't starve out your system.

I love the fact that Aquaforest salt mixes up clean and clear in 15mins. I have absolutely no nasty residue left in my mixing container after I'm done. If found that the provided certificates have matched all my batches . I've had tremendous growth, great color, and super PE using Aquaforest products. Over the years I've used a lot of different salts, additives and methods.

AQUAFOREST hands down has absolutely nailed it.

Oh did I mention I really really really like it??!!??[emoji12][emoji12][emoji3][emoji12][emoji12]

 

[Andreass]

This is warning - be very careful using their things that's all

When you Just tell A but not B dont get People afreid like that... I have followe AF for a Long time and have talk with the guys that have made it and i dont think they make a product for crashing Peoples tanks. Insted of giving a warning or get people afreid tell us what happend.... 90% of People failing on AF (not crashing) is beacuse they dont know how to use the products or dont lisen to what people say and they think AF will turn the tank around and look like gold after a week...

 

[Andreass]

But back to the thread is about:

For me it has aquaforest been an incredible piece of product.

I have used this for 7-8 months in total. My guy is very new so I still have a little algae on sand but it starts to disappear.

I use only Pro bio S and Np pro and keep my no3 and PO4 down to virtually 0 something I think is amazing.

What people should know about AF before them begins to using it is that some products are extremely concentrated and in that context I encourage all to only dose half of what it says on the bottle of Pro Bio S and Np Pro.

What I like the salt of AF is that it dissolves very easily and becomes quickly clear something many other products do. some of the trace elements are a bit low but the very even out if you use balling!

The only think i would like them to do is to get everything in bigger flask so you can dose it with a dosepump

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Yes i tested last night it was 2ppm and Alk 7.7 to 8 with 1025

Probiotic or reef? My reef salt tested 0 but I haven't switched to probiotic.

 

[Marquiseo]

A one and a half month old tank and difficult sps?? I can't imagine that's aqua forests fault

Last I checked, crashes can occur instantly while growth takes months. I am 100% certain it was the Aquaforest system. Those SPS aren't difficult; maybe just for you.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

you will know when your tank crash

Very informative, thank you. I figured no one would answer this question.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Last I checked, crashes can occur instantly while growth takes months. I am 100% certain it was the Aquaforest system. Those SPS aren't difficult; maybe just for you.

If your 100 percent certain please share why the AF system crashed your tank. The signs your acros showed point to certain issues which would not be from using the AF system.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Last I checked, crashes can occur instantly while growth takes months. I am 100% certain it was the Aquaforest system. Those SPS aren't difficult; maybe just for you.

So sorry this happened to you[emoji20] . I sure hope you posted all your info on a thread at the time it happened. Some folks here might have been able to help you out. I will say this though... newer systems are weird regardless of what products, salt, or system you choose to use. I know I've been there more times than I can count. I just sucks when it happens.... [emoji20]

 

[Marquiseo]

If your 100 percent certain please share why the AF system crashed your tank. The signs your acros showed point to certain issues which would not be from using the AF system.

Didn't I post earlier, that my tank recovered when I switched back to my original salts. I don't take pics every time when I run into a problem. I solved it by getting rid of the whole AF system. I know it was the system because I followed all the instructions set by the company and still issues arose that resulted in unfavorable results. Sure, blame it on me because you want to defend this company with your life; that is the typical response by any new fan boy of this company. It has gotten out a hand so much that the company started deleting posts by hobbyists who reported issues. There were issues posted daily and now they are gone:

So tell me why a company would start deleting posts about bad experiences with their product.

 

[Marquiseo]

So sorry this happened to you[emoji20] . I sure hope you posted all your info on a thread at the time it happened. Some folks here might have been able to help you out. I will say this though... newer systems are weird regardless of what products, salt, or system you choose to use. I know I've been there more times than I can count. I just sucks when it happens.... [emoji20]

My tank is fine now. It has been doing well since I dropped the system. No deaths have occurred since the swap.

 

[120reefkeeper]

My tank is fine now. It has been doing well since I dropped the system. No deaths have occurred since the swap.

Well that's good to hear! [emoji4]

Sucks to hear you had troubles with it! I've had massive success??? Lol go figure ! [emoji12]

Wish you well and much success! [emoji6]

 

[Marquiseo]

Well that's good to hear! [emoji4]

Sucks to hear you had troubles with it! I've had massive success??? Lol go figure ! [emoji12]

Wish you well and much success! [emoji6]

I am glad it worked out for you and the few others reporting success. I wished it had worked out for me as well because I lost a lot of money when I tossed that stuff out. Best of luck to you as well and happy reefing!

 

[Reefcowboy]

IMO most hobbyists will use what has worked for them(at least the experienced ones). I know guys in the hobby for 10+ years that would never ditch their good old Instant Ocean salts, and their sps tanks have colonies growing out of the water.
I personally as mentioned here, have had excellent experiences with Tropic Marin Pro, but nontheless really appreciate companies such as AF coming to the market with very promising products.

I think they will become a very strong products contender in the US, as they have come forward with quality showing products.

The salt batches reliability and steadiness for macronutrients will be dictated through time as the company becomes more popular. I hope we get to see more and more of their presence in the hobby

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Didn't I post earlier, that my tank recovered when I switched back to my original salts. I don't take pics every time when I run into a problem. I solved it by getting rid of the whole AF system. I know it was the system because I followed all the instructions set by the company and still issues arose that resulted in unfavorable results. Sure, blame it on me because you want to defend this company with your life; that is the typical response by any new fan boy of this company. It has gotten out a hand so much that the company started deleting posts by hobbyists who reported issues. There were issues posted daily and now they are gone:

So tell me why a company would start deleting posts about bad experiences with their product.

Didn't I post earlier, that my tank recovered when I switched back to my original salts. I don't take pics every time when I run into a problem. I solved it by getting rid of the whole AF system. I know it was the system because I followed all the instructions set by the company and still issues arose that resulted in unfavorable results. Sure, blame it on me because you want to defend this company with your life; that is the typical response by any new fan boy of this company. It has gotten out a hand so much that the company started deleting posts by hobbyists who reported issues. There were issues posted daily and now they are gone:

So tell me why a company would start deleting posts about bad experiences with their product.

Let me say, I am not going to argue here. I only look to further my knowledge and learn. This is why I am trying to find out exactly why these tank crashes happen and why it is blamed on AF products.
I am not blaming your tank crash on you and I am no fan boy. I am responding like I want to understand.
Maybe they are deleting these posts because they know there is nothing they can do to help the users and their problems lie much deeper than what salt they are using. After all every vendor on this site will delete any complaint made on their forum, this is not specific to AF.
I have encouraged anyone who had problems with AF to please share specifically what happened but so far no one has said anything.
I hope your tank continues to recover as well and the same for any other in your situation. I would like to keep this topic going to allow more users to share their experiences good or bad. If it's bad I hope they can explain exactly what happened so others can learn from them. That's what it's all about in my book.

Just to get a little more on topic, a LFS near me sells a LOT of buckets of AF salt and they tell me everyone loves it. Most I have talked to say it's the best salt they have used. But after all a salt is a salt and it's mostly about personal preference in parameters, micronutrients/elements and the way it mixes too.

 

[Salty1962]

Anyone have experience in checking the parameters advertised in real world testing over the course of a few buckets?

I think the biggest component affecting how the corals respond to this specific salt is the fact that it contains a carbon dosing element. Using the salt helps to lower nitrate and phosphate which results in better coral coloration, specifically in SPS.

Been using the products for a year now. Love it. I am recovering from a cash, that was my fault for trying to push the limits. None of the AF products were the issue. I was running bio pellets to slow that released toxins into the water that cause the crash.

The main Issue I see with AF is understanding the the system is based off a probiotic system/ bacteria managment. Also with SPS lighting is another key. I have also found the running ULNS, even though the tank is nice a clean, and maintained, coral like small amounts of PO4's and NO3's to stay health.

Each system is different and each system is going to have different results, and some may have bad experiences and some may have good experiences like I have had

I agree, their program does require an understanding of ULNS systems. The product does cause you to have lower No3 and Po4. I have to add No3 to my tank, especially since I started using Vibrant. That's a whole other subject. I do like the Probiotic salt. My SPS seems to have better colors. Just watch your lighting in a ULNS system. .

 

[Scott.h]

I agree, their program does require an understanding of ULNS systems. The product does cause you to have lower No3 and Po4. I have to add No3 to my tank, especially since I started using Vibrant. That's a whole other subject. I do like the Probiotic salt. My SPS seems to have better colors. Just watch your lighting in a ULNS system. .

Would it be easier to use the standard AF without the probiotic, then carbon dose yourself? That way you could control the NO3?

For me I don't specifically get caught up in all the additives. Just looking at the core parimeters in a salt and believe one can achieve success without all the extra bling. If the filtration is proper, with flow, and the tank isn't overstocked.. Well, that's my approach.

 

[Reefcowboy]

Would it be easier to use the standard AF without the probiotic, then carbon dose yourself? That way you could control the NO3?

I like personally to be able to carbon dose separatedly, being that you know exactly how much you are adding to a tank. Your option seems like a safer route IMO.