Help mixing Tropic Marin All-For-Reef Powder

[areefer01]

There's no problem mixing/storing a large batch.

Just adding my 2 cents and agreeing with @Randy Holmes-Farley on both of these points!

Thank you both. Now that I think about it I'm sure it has been asked before. Sorry about that.

Have a great day!

 

[Digitalfirex]

It is the saltiness (ionic strength) that makes it antibacterial, not any antimicrobial attribute of the material.

Salting pork and fish is a tried and true way to preserve things from bacterial growth, but salt, once diluted, is not antimicrobial.

Apparently:

Ps. Thank you for the help btw

 

[caddnima_reef]

I just read the whole thread and realized now that I am doing it so wrong. I used to dozed two part, and recently switched to AFR powder. Why am I doing it wrong? I dosed my tank consistent 1 gallon every two weeks. It boils down to 240ml a day of liquid. And that is consistent, and will not change. Now what changes is the potency if what powder I put in. Currently I am putting 100 grams of AFR in a 1 gallon container, dosed 4x a day, for two weeks.

The way I read previous comments was NOT TO DILUTE AFR. And I believe I am diluting it. What kind of results should I expect?

Btw, that 100 grams spread to 14 days can maintain my 100 gallon volume of water of 8.5dkh alkalinity and 480 calcium. And for a 800gram AFR will only last me 4 months or 16 weeks.

 

[Hans-Werner]

The way I read previous comments was NOT TO DILUTE AFR. And I believe I am diluting it. What kind of results should I expect?

The full concentration solution is self-preserving while a more diluted solution may support the growth of bacteria and fungi and in this way may loose some of its activity.

As long as you are not having any problems yet, everything is ok, but I recommend to change to the full concentration solution soon.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I just read the whole thread and realized now that I am doing it so wrong. I used to dozed two part, and recently switched to AFR powder. Why am I doing it wrong? I dosed my tank consistent 1 gallon every two weeks. It boils down to 240ml a day of liquid. And that is consistent, and will not change. Now what changes is the potency if what powder I put in. Currently I am putting 100 grams of AFR in a 1 gallon container, dosed 4x a day, for two weeks.

The way I read previous comments was NOT TO DILUTE AFR. And I believe I am diluting it. What kind of results should I expect?

Btw, that 100 grams spread to 14 days can maintain my 100 gallon volume of water of 8.5dkh alkalinity and 480 calcium. And for a 800gram AFR will only last me 4 months or 16 weeks.

Are you have any apparent issue?

The potential problems from bacterial degradation of the product likely would not show up in alk testing since bacteria won't change the alk in the dosing mix. They will just convert it from formate to bicarbonate. Unless you see a precipitate of calcium carbonate in the dosing solution over time, the effects may be limited to consumption of trace elements.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Has anyone mixing and using AFR run into the issue of the solution getting slightly brown as it sits in a dosing container?

I mix 1 gallon at a time, and after a while, it takes on kind of a nasty color.

No issue with the tank or doser. Just figured I would see what others have experienced here.

 

[areefer01]

Has anyone mixing and using AFR run into the issue of the solution getting slightly brown as it sits in a dosing container?

I mix 1 gallon at a time, and after a while, it takes on kind of a nasty color.

No issue with the tank or doser. Just figured I would see what others have experienced here.

There are a few posts in this thread by Tropic Marin with regards to your question. There can be a slight coloration or residue but shouldn't be a concern. I don't remember the exact wording but it is here a few pages back.

I've personally mixed 1000 ml and now about a gallon as you describe and see residue left behind. I've not seen any issues, smells, or anything bad since I've started using the product but of course every hobbyist is different. I've used the DIY recipe which was more clear and a light blue tint. I know use the powder, mix up about 1 gallon, and dose about 110 ml a day in my 210 system.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, trace elements can change color as they air oxidize.

 

[cklayko]

Is it ok to add AFR to a mixing bin? I do daily water changes via an APEX DOS, set up to change 4Gal / day on a 300Gal SPS tank. I use Tropic Marin Pro salt however my last ICP test shows I'm low on some trace elements so was wondering if I could add some AFR to the 100Gal mixing bin to sort of 'top off' the trace elements in the tank?

 

[Digitalfirex]

Is it ok to add AFR to a mixing bin? I do daily water changes via an APEX DOS, set up to change 4Gal / day on a 300Gal SPS tank. I use Tropic Marin Pro salt however my last ICP test shows I'm low on some trace elements so was wondering if I could add some AFR to the 100Gal mixing bin to sort of 'top off' the trace elements in the tank?

Read the above posts about bacteria and fungi when AFR is diluted.

 

[Reef.]

Is it ok to add AFR to a mixing bin? I do daily water changes via an APEX DOS, set up to change 4Gal / day on a 300Gal SPS tank. I use Tropic Marin Pro salt however my last ICP test shows I'm low on some trace elements so was wondering if I could add some AFR to the 100Gal mixing bin to sort of 'top off' the trace elements in the tank?

AFR is not meant to be diluted as the elements would promote bacteria, at full strength this is not the case.

 

[PeterC99]

Has anyone mixing and using AFR run into the issue of the solution getting slightly brown as it sits in a dosing container?

I mix 1 gallon at a time, and after a while, it takes on kind of a nasty color.

No issue with the tank or doser. Just figured I would see what others have experienced here.

I have the exact same issue.

Wondering if anyone has figured a way to prevent?

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I have the exact same issue.

Wondering if anyone has figured a way to prevent?

It's not related to light. I've kept it in blackout and it still darkens.

 

[Reef.]

I have the exact same issue.

Wondering if anyone has figured a way to prevent?

It’s the elements separating, you can try mixing again but Tropic Marin has said many times it’s not an issue.

 

[MikeDesjean]

I have a bottled I mixed a while ago, at least 2 months or more at this point. Made the 1 liter mix and only add 3.5 ml a day into my 20g.

i have not seen any issues with it getting brown and it’s in a clear bottle.

However my IO gets a brown buildup around the waterline after sitting for a week or so and it’s constantly moving. But that’s a different thread lol.

 

[nickeasy3]

i had no issues mixing the powder doing the following........I mixed the entire 1600g container with 2.64 gallons (10liters) of water. Placed a powerhead in the container for about an hour and all powder was dissolved. Been dosing with this for 11 days so far......my Alk is steady at 9 and Calcium stays between 430-440 (been testing daily). So far, appears to be the real deal! At my current dosing rate, the 1600g container will last just over 180 days which is pretty sweet.

Just curious, what type of container do you use? Also, does the entire 1600g mix stay mixed up in the container until its fully used up?

 

[nickeasy3]

i had no issues mixing the powder doing the following........I mixed the entire 1600g container with 2.64 gallons (10liters) of water. Placed a powerhead in the container for about an hour and all powder was dissolved. Been dosing with this for 11 days so far......my Alk is steady at 9 and Calcium stays between 430-440 (been testing daily). So far, appears to be the real deal! At my current dosing rate, the 1600g container will last just over 180 days which is pretty sweet.

Just curious, what type of container do you use? Also, does the entire 1600g mix stay mixed up in the container until its fully used up?

 

[dlegare]

I just mixed my first batch of All For Reef from powder. Its a bit cloudy. Is it supposed to mix clear? I use a lab style mixer and heat the water to about 100f before mixing.

 

[areefer01]

I just mixed my first batch of All For Reef from powder. Its a bit cloudy. Is it supposed to mix clear? I use a lab style mixer and heat the water to about 100f before mixing.

What is "a bit" cloudy?

Yes, during mixing it will cloud up but then should get clear within 10 to 20 minutes give or take. I mix up 1800 ml batches at a time. RODI water, room temp, drop in magnet pill to stir, weigh product, put in, turn on mixer, let it sit and spin for 20 or so minutes, turn off, let settle, pour into storage container. Nothing to it.

Edit: by weight I mean I use a scale to know how much powder to put in vs using the scoop. I found it works best this way.

 

[Reef.]

I just mixed my first batch of All For Reef from powder. Its a bit cloudy. Is it supposed to mix clear? I use a lab style mixer and heat the water to about 100f before mixing.

It will stay cloudy, it will settle a little after mixing, but no way can it be described as clear.