Ready to try Aquaforest

[re76]

So I have been doing a bit of research on different approaches to reef keeping. At this point I am pretty sure I am going to settle on the Aquaforest system.

My tank is currently a mix of SPS and LPS. It is a 90 gallon, with an overrated skimmer, and a pretty light bioload right now.

I am finishing up a box of HW-MarineMix Reefer Salt but after that I plan on switching over to Aquaforest Reef Salt. Currently I am running an Avast Marine Kalk Stirrer, along with BioPellets, GFO, and Carbon.

My understanding of the Aquaforest system is that the core principle is to use bacteria and a carbon source to maintain an ULNS system and to supplement minerals, and types of coral food to allow good coral growth and coloration.

My main questions are related to biopellets and the Kalk. How do these fit into the Aquaforest system?

Right now my understanding is that I could skip dosing NP Pro and keep the biopellets. As for the kalk, my understanding is that I would have to rely on the kalk to mantain Alk and Calcium, and I would have to manually dose Components A, B, and C along with monitoring and supplementing Magnesium. Also, could I use Components Strong instead of A, B, and C?

So my plan would be to slowly switch to Aquaforest salt and to purchase and dose:

• Component A, B, C or Components Strong
• Pro Bio S
• AF Energy
• AF Amino Mix
• AF Build
• AF Vitality
• AF Power Food

Does this make sense? Am I missing anything?

 

[G8trBait16]

I am not using Biopellets on my system so I can't say anything about that personally. @jsker was using biopellets from what I remember. What I use is below on my 100g total system volume (75g display + 25g sump), but probably like 90g with rocks, sand, and such.

• Component 1+, 2+, 3+ on an doser.

• Pro Bio S

• NP Pro

• AF Energy

• AF Amino Mix

• AF Build

• AF Vitality

I also feed my SPS corals Reef Roids 2x a week. I just started a refugium in the middle part of my sump, to export nutrients better, instead of using chemicals. If you have any questions let me know @Perry @Anirban @jsker are also great resources that have helped me out a bunch when I started out.

 

[jsker]

I was running bio pellets, and pull them off line in the end of November for the reason I ran the pellets to slow and the pellet started to released hydrogen sulfide. I was also running NP Pro without issue. At first I thought it was the combination of NP pro and bio pellets making my tank crash but it ended up being the bio pellet. Since taking the pellet off line my system is really coming back well.

I have a mix bag of corals but mainly sps, I feed frozen(mysis, my mix, and LRF)mixed with reef nutrition's roti feast, oyster feast, and R.O.E.. I do run higher nutrients but it works in my system for the reason I am not looking for the perfectly clean algae free system. The algae lets me know that I have to change the media
AF Product
Reef salt
1+2+3+ balling method
Np pro
Pro Bio S
A,B when I remember
Phosphate minus

Other media
Zeovit until life bio fil is introduced here in the US
Plain old BRS carbon and I will most likely go to the AF Carbon when I run out

I am looking at getting a Pacific sun kore 5th doser which @Perry said he would get me for my birthday next month

 

[Perry]

I was running bio pellets, and pull them off line in the end of November for the reason I ran the pellets to slow and the pellet started to released hydrogen sulfide. I was also running NP Pro without issue. At first I thought it was the combination of NP pro and bio pellets making my tank crash but it ended up being the bio pellet. Since taking the pellet off line my system is really coming back well.

I have a mix bag of corals but mainly sps, I feed frozen(mysis, my mix, and LRF)mixed with reef nutrition's roti feast, oyster feast, and R.O.E.. I do run higher nutrients but it works in my system for the reason I am not looking for the perfectly clean algae free system. The algae lets me know that I have to change the media
AF Product
Reef salt
1+2+3+ balling method
Np pro
Pro Bio S
A,B when I remember
Phosphate minus

Other media
Zeovit until life bio fil is introduced here in the US
Plain old BRS carbon and I will most likely go to the AF Carbon when I run out

I am looking at getting a Pacific sun kore 5th doser which @Perry said he would get me for my birthday next month

LOL.... Next is Kore 10th to suit the entire AF lineup, lol.... I wish, I can't even score one of those

 

[re76]

Alright. I just invested pretty heavily. Bought all of the items I originally listed except the power food. I have a small amount of coral frenzy that I am going to get through before I switch to the AF power food.

I am going to give this a few months with the biopellets. I am just not going to dose NP pro as the biopellets should provide the carbon source for the bacteria.

 

[Perry]

Plan sounds great, let me know if you need any assistance

 

[re76]

Alright I'm trying to determine the dosing schedule. It looks like the amino mix, build, vitality, and energy are all every other day. This would imply that two of these get dosed on the same day. Which two do you combine when you dose?

 

[Perry]

I use Energy and Build one day and Amino Mix and Vitality the opposite days.

 

[re76]

Does anything need to be refrigerated or am I good to just leave them in the cupboard?

 

[Perry]

The Pro Bio S I refrigerate, my ambient room temp is usually above 76 degrees F, which is the recommend max holding temp, FYI. All others ok at normal room temps.

 

[re76]

Alright I started my dosing regimen. Everything at half strength for now. Today will be day 3.

Was pretty surprised to see Vitality and Amino Mix glow bright green under actinic lights.

 

[Perry]

Please also keep in mind that if the corals are not absorbing minerals, and do not show PE, it would be wise to not dose supplements. If corals are expanding PE, and you see normal signs of growth, then to begin with small dose of the supplements. Energy, Amino Mix, and Vitality. They are very concentrated, so allowing the corals to metabolize what is being dosed is key, you will see through observation. Take it slow, gain comfort, then increase as you become more in tune with what each product appears to be doing. Cheers

 

[re76]

Please also keep in mind that if the corals are not absorbing minerals, and do not show PE, it would be wise to not dose supplements. If corals are expanding PE, and you see normal signs of growth, then to begin with small dose of the supplements. Energy, Amino Mix, and Vitality. They are very concentrated, so allowing the corals to metabolize what is being dosed is key, you will see through observation. Take it slow, gain comfort, then increase as you become more in tune with what each product appears to be doing. Cheers

Do you think starting off with a 1/2 dose of everything is too aggressive?

 

[Perry]

No, if you have mineral absorption and see signs of PE, I would begin there. Every other day for now, as corals grow this demand can increase. You could even begin with 25% dose and take it from there if your corals are small, if they are large, then 1/2 would be fine.

 

[re76]

So I just noticed that Aquaforest recommends 6-8 dkH for alk.

Up until now I have always tried to keep my alk at 8-9 dkH. Why does Aquaforest deviate so much from the standard recommendation of 8-10 dkH? Is this something specific to low nutrient systems?

 

[Perry]

Yes, low nutrient systems with use of carbon source and bacteria source need to mimic NSW values. 7.0dkh being ideal. I personally strive for 6.8 as my corals have looked the best running this value. Lower the nutrients, lower the alk, higher the nutrients, higher alk.

 

[re76]

So since starting the bacteria dosing I am noticing that my PH has been lower than it previously was. Before I was sitting at about 8.0 and now I am swinging between 7.8-7.9

Could this be due to the bacteria doing their job and stripping some of the oxygen from the water?

I have also noticed that my alk consumption has gone up since starting the aquaforest system. Previously just using kalk in my ATO was keeping everything nice and stable. For the past few days I have been noticing about a .5 dkh drop in alk about every 24 hours. I first noticed this when my ph dropped down to 7.7 which is really odd, I tested my alk and I was just under 7 dkh. I dosed Sodium Carbonate to get alk back up to 8 dkh, where I usually keep it. This caused my PH to come back up to 7.9.

I am wondering if I am going through a sort of "adaptation" phase where the carbon+bacteria are causing my PH to be low as they consume the available nutrients. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I am hoping my PH will come back up to 8-8.1 after everything stabilizes.

I think I will also test Mag tonight to make sure that isn't part of the problem.