ProBio S and -NP Pro standalone use.

rchraska · Nov 10, 2016

I am looking to make the switch to AF products but need to use up existing products. However, I am wondering if I can start using the Pro Bio S and -NP Pro now as a standalone product. Then when my existing salt runs out switch to the Reef salt.

If it matters, I am currently using Red Sea Pro salt.

My tank is approximately 1 year old and is doing well. Current live stock is majority SPS with some Zoos / palyos and a couple LPS (acan, Blasto, torch)

Anirban · Nov 10, 2016

You can use them as standalone product. They dont have anything to do with the salt or balling system. The only thing I will recommend doing is to first dose BioS for 2 weeks and seed the nitrogen cycle bacteria and then start dosing with ProbioS so you have a complete probiotic system. This will help you to run a nice AF system in future.

rchraska · Nov 10, 2016

Thanks for the quick reply and suggestions to build a nice AF system.

Salty1962 · Nov 11, 2016

I use the BioS every time I do a water change.

rchraska · Nov 11, 2016

As I think about this, would I have to dose these daily? Or is this something I could dose every other day or every couple of days.

I ask because my Nitrates and Phosphates are consistant at 1 to 2 ppm nitrate and 0.03 ppm Phosphate.

Anirban · Nov 11, 2016

Preferably daily and you can start with half dose....remember if you already run your system with low nutrient then you dont need to follow the probiotic regime. You can just follow the balling system.These are separate things.

rchraska · Nov 11, 2016

makes sense.

Perry · Nov 12, 2016

rchraska said:
I am looking to make the switch to AF products but need to use up existing products. However, I am wondering if I can start using the Pro Bio S and -NP Pro now as a standalone product. Then when my existing salt runs out switch to the Reef salt.

If it matters, I am currently using Red Sea Pro salt.

My tank is approximately 1 year old and is doing well. Current live stock is majority SPS with some Zoos / palyos and a couple LPS (acan, Blasto, torch)

Yes, it is very possible depending on your bioload to use NP Pro and Pro Bio S as stand alone. Depending on rock and sand, you may fair well through use of siporax or matrix, soon coming AF Life Bio Fil, to home bacteria which will aid in nutrient break down. This is sort of becoming a standard in the "Probiotic Based" tanks these days, as rock is usually limited in modern day rock scapes. The recommendation of bio media is at 1 liter of media for every 100 liters of water. This is a good baseline, however, many tanks exceed this recommendation, as there is really never enough bio-filtration

rchraska · Nov 14, 2016

Thanks for the response Perry.

I currently have a marine pure plate in the sump to help with bio-filtration. With my NO3 being 1 ppm and PO4 being 0.3, would you recommend any use of the probio S or -NP pro?

Viperdoug · Nov 14, 2016

Question....I hear the low nutrient term used a lot with AF threads. I understand what it means, but what determines running a low nutrient system? I just switched to the AF line. I am using the reef salt as well as the following....AF Build, , Energy, Vitality, Amino Mix, Coral V, Fish V, as well as components 1+ 2+ 3+. I have the Pro Bio and Bio S. I have not used them though. So far, the switch has been great. I have slowly switched to these products. I am one month into it and still not at full dosages. Slow seems to be the way to go. My question is, am I running a low nutrient system?

Anirban · Nov 14, 2016

Viperdoug said:
Question....I hear the low nutrient term used a lot with AF threads. I understand what it means, but what determines running a low nutrient system? I just switched to the AF line. I am using the reef salt as well as the following....AF Build, , Energy, Vitality, Amino Mix, Coral V, Fish V, as well as components 1+ 2+ 3+. I have the Pro Bio and Bio S. I have not used them though. So far, the switch has been great. I have slowly switched to these products. I am one month into it and still not at full dosages. Slow seems to be the way to go. My question is, am I running a low nutrient system?

What are you nutrient parameters like NO3 and PO4? Generally low nutrient or ULNS means PO4-0-0.02PPM and NO3-0-1/2 PPM. A lot of people like to run both parameters zero as the absolute value is generally never zero but to be on safer side a very little nutrient helps.

Viperdoug · Nov 14, 2016

P04 is almost always .01, sometimes undetectable. No3 is always 0. so I guess I run an ULNS...

Anirban · Nov 14, 2016

Viperdoug said:
P04 is almost always .01, sometimes undetectable. No3 is always 0. so I guess I run an ULNS...

You do....my friend

Perry · Nov 14, 2016

rchraska said:
Thanks for the response Perry.

I currently have a marine pure plate in the sump to help with bio-filtration. With my NO3 being 1 ppm and PO4 being 0.3, would you recommend any use of the probio S or -NP pro?

Yes,
Do use, the bacteria is replenished through dosing, and the NP Pro is food source to help the bacteria grow. The tank will take time for the bacteria to go to work, so yes begin use at 1/2 daily recommended

rchraska · Nov 15, 2016

Like recommend by someone else in this thread, should I start with dosing the Bio S for two weeks before starting the Pro?

Perry · Nov 15, 2016

If you are starting a fresh tank, yes use Bio S, however, if you are converting a tank, simply use Pro Bio S straight away

rchraska · Nov 16, 2016

Sounds good,
How should Pro Bio F be used when dosing Pro Bio S and -NP Pro?

Perry · Nov 16, 2016

Hello, I would say an alternate dose of Pro Bio F for NP Pro once to twice per week would be ok, but in all honesty, NP Pro and Pro Bio S should be more than sufficient. You choose, I still use occasionally, but have found it to work best in a small nano type system, sort of like a AIO type setup. Either way, won't hurt anything to use, just do as a substitute. Cheers!

rchraska · Nov 18, 2016

Hello,

Thank for all the advice. I am going to start dosing these this weekend.

I will update on how my reef responds to using these.

I will also be starting to dose the Amino, Build, Energy, & Vitality. However I think I am going to wait for a week or two before starting these as I don't want to change to much to quickly.

Perry · Nov 19, 2016

rchraska said:
Hello,

Thank for all the advice. I am going to start dosing these this weekend.

I will update on how my reef responds to using these.

I will also be starting to dose the Amino, Build, Energy, & Vitality. However I think I am going to wait for a week or two before starting these as I don't want to change to much to quickly.

That sounds like a good idea, I would begin use of Amino Mix, Energy, and Vitality until your tank is low enough in nutrients to supplement. That said, I would use Build straight away, and begin with 1/2 dose. 1 drop per 100 liters daily/ every other day(27 gallons). Look forward to your feedback