Kalkwasser or All-for-reef?

[maceto]

Hi everyone,

I am starting a new nano tank, I want to try All-for-Reef instead of Kalkwasser. What is your opinion on this change?

I've using Kalkwasser and no complaints at all. But all I am reading about this new product is really good.

Thank you
Martin

 

[coseal]

why not both?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I'm a long time kalk user. What is making you want to switch? There's no way all for reef could be as cheap as pickling lime right? Following along to hear more answers!

 

[ReefBeta]

I'm planning for both for mine. I started with kalk on dosing pump, currently dosing 500ml daily. My minimal daily evaporation is about a gallon. So when the needed dose goes beyond 4000ml daily, I will add CarboCalcium to supplement the rest.

I'm using CarboCalcium only on my other tank. Probably will shift to DIY All-for-Reef later.

 

[maceto]

why not both?

Hi,

Both increase dKH can't use both. You are using both to solve the same problem.

M.

 

[hart24601]

I use kalk and DIY all for reef in my system, kalk for the ph boost. If I ran a nano I would pick all for reef as I like the trace elements built in and it’s easy, but not a huge deal.

 

[SliceGolfer]

AFR works fine in a nano. I use it on my 20g Waterbox. I find that occasionally I need to dose Alk or Ca to get to my core number if AFR doesn’t keep up. AFR is for maintenance dosing, not raising elements. Besides the price and limited availability, it works fine for my tank.

 

[maceto]

I'm a long time kalk user. What is making you want to switch? There's no way all for reef could be as cheap as pickling lime right? Following along to hear more answers!

Hi @xxkenny90xx,

You are right is not cheaper than Kalk, but is easier, cleaner, and in the same line of products, they have trace elements too.

M.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Hi @xxkenny90xx,

You are right is not cheaper than Kalk, but is easier, cleaner, and in the same line of products, they have trace elements too.

M.

Good to know!

 

[HuduVudu]

Hi everyone,

I am starting a new nano tank, I want to try All-for-Reef instead of Kalkwasser. What is your opinion on this change?

I've using Kalkwasser and no complaints at all. But all I am reading about this new product is really good.

Thank you
Martin

More specifically Calcium Hydroxide ... of course.

 

[maceto]

AFR works fine in a nano. I use it on my 20g Waterbox. I find that occasionally I need to dose Alk or Ca to get to my core number if AFR doesn’t keep up. AFR is for maintenance dosing, not raising elements. Besides the price and limited availability, it works fine for my tank.

Hi @SliceGolfer,

Why not raise elements with AFR? If you bump the dosing, the elements don't get an increase?

M.

 

[coseal]

Hi,

Both increase dKH can't use both. You are using both to solve the same problem.

M.

not sure if i understand the point you are trying to make?

i dont use kalk as top off.. it is dosed along with all 4 reef to maintain my alk and trace elements

 

[xxkenny90xx]

not sure if i understand the point you are trying to make?

i dont use kalk as top off.. it is dosed along with all 4 reef to maintain my alk and trace elements

I'm not sure why one would use both products but it shouldn't hurt anything as long as your keeping your numbers in range.

 

[hart24601]

I'm not sure why one would use both products but it shouldn't hurt anything as long as your keeping your numbers in range.

I use both, kalk is good for ph boost but often demand exceeds what evaporated from the tank. I use A4R for the rest.

 

[HuduVudu]

I don't know if I remember this correctly but the AFR is calcium fomate and testing for the fomate (alk) isn't really possible (easy?) due to elfin magic. This is a bit of a put off for me. Basically you dose to the calculator and work from there.

 

[coseal]

i like that it only uses one doser for all the traces, but kalk does all the heavy lifting for now...

 

[SMSREEF]

Hi,

Both increase dKH can't use both. You are using both to solve the same problem.

M.

Of course you can use both. When Kalk do longer replaces what your tank uses, you need to add 2 part or something else.

I had to dose Kalk and 2 part in my nano for years. Now I only dose all for reef because it’s easier.
Definitely more expensive, but easier.

 

[hart24601]

I don't know if I remember this correctly but the AFR is calcium fomate and testing for the fomate (alk) isn't really possible (easy?) due to elfin magic. This is a bit of a put off for me. Basically you dose to the calculator and work from there.

That is correct but after a day or so the formate is converted to testable compounds so you just have to wait a while to see it. Ime it’s not a big deal, if I notice alk a bit higher or lower than I want I adjust the dosing a couple ml and test the next day.

 

[Strad12]

I’m running both on my nano. Kalk through ATO and AFR on a dosing pump. The All For Reef doesn’t give a sufficient pH boost, so you’re leaving some coral growth on the table if you skip Kalk, imo. The pH of my water was around 7.8 before I started Kalk in the ATO, now it’s around 8.2. Mix the Kalk for “low demand” and it will boost pH without changing calcium and alkalinity too much.

 

[HuduVudu]

I have to say that this thread warms my heart. A debate over two very viable and solid options. I hope that the industry goes this way in the future.