SPS and All-for-Reef

[harsha22]

Is there anyone who uses just All-for-Reef for their SPS?
I am trying to keep things simple with SPS before getting into it. But is it even possible to just use A-F-Reef dosing for SPS?

 

[fishface NJ]

Yes I do.

 

[harsha22]

Yes I do.

Nice. A couple of questions and really appreciate if you can advise me.
I still haven't added any corals and I am being extra careful this time before I add any. Want to start with a few softies but I want this to be an SPS tank. Right now I am dosing AFReef without the corals and my Ca is shooting up since there are no corals to consume.
So is it safe to say if I start adding SPS then the readings would stabilize?
Do you use a dosing calculator for AFReef?
How do you manage Alk and PH? - Plan to use AFReef for Alk and Brightwell PH+ for PH.

 

[G Santana]

Don't dose if there is nothing to consume the AFR. Weekly water changes can give you what you need until you have to dose.
wait until you have corals in your tank and test weekly to see what you are consuming and in what quantities.

Once you see consumption, dose the minimum as per AFR and adjust accordingly per your weekly testing.

I started dosing 1 year in and am still at the minimum because although I have a few frags, they are small and the minimum AFR dose is enough to satisfy their needs, but again I test weekly, religiously.

Good luck

 

[Dorsetsteve]

Use the calculator to base the AFR to meet the demands of your Calcium. You can then increase the deficit of Kh with Bicarbonate.

Currently you will be consuming alkalinity at a skewed rate as the majority of your consumption with be from other processes than the calcification of corals. This will obviously change in time.

I wouldn’t use a product to boost Ph as this will likely do so by increasing Kh, so you would be double dosing.

 

[Jaybeastin]

I’m dosing AFR but I’m also dosing calcium and magnesium. I’m basically using it to Keep my ALK stable and it’s not enough to keep up with CA & Mag. I have a 91g tank and tank is full with LPS and softies so it depends on your tank. Testing is key. Will be switching AFR once I’m done using all the solutions. It’s more for smaller tanks and less corals

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Chemicals/additives/organic are hard to read but you need to give time to work, deffenitly not an insta fix as you only postponing problems .
In my opinion

 

[Chrisv.]

I use AFR in my sps dominated mixed reef and I REALLY like it. I think it's not a good idea to dose it before you need it though. If you have no hard corals in your system, then water changes should be fine. You can then start adding AFR as your demand increases. As you ramp it up, test test test.

It's a nice little supplement.

I strongly suggest getting a dosing pump. This will make it far easier to make sure you don't forget to add it.

 

[harsha22]

I use AFR in my sps dominated mixed reef and I REALLY like it. I think it's not a good idea to dose it before you need it though. If you have no hard corals in your system, then water changes should be fine. You can then start adding AFR as your demand increases. As you ramp it up, test test test.

It's a nice little supplement.

I strongly suggest getting a dosing pump. This will make it far easier to make sure you don't forget to add it.

Yes, I agree. Will stop dosing.

 

[dthom]

I agree with Chrisv. Great product use it for my SPS tank.
Like was said before, if you do not have anything consuming the elements you cannot dose or numbers will just keep increasing.

 

[dthom]

When the time comes, I second getting a dosing pump. Makes it so easy

 

[Lonely reefer's]

I dosed all for reef sps tank , but you needed to keep an eye on the end of dosing hose, clogged up very easy.

 

[Spare time]

I’m dosing AFR but I’m also dosing calcium and magnesium. I’m basically using it to Keep my ALK stable and it’s not enough to keep up with CA & Mag. I have a 91g tank and tank is full with LPS and softies so it depends on your tank. Testing is key. Will be switching AFR once I’m done using all the solutions. It’s more for smaller tanks and less corals

Strange. I have to dose magnesium but I would think nothing in the tank can use calcium that wont use carbonate besides the occasional strontium, barium, etc. substitutes.

I use the powder for my 75 gallon.

 

[Dorsetsteve]

Strange. I have to dose magnesium but I would think nothing in the tank can use calcium that wont use carbonate besides the occasional strontium, barium, etc. substitutes.

I use the powder for my 75 gallon.

I had this issue initially, it was suggested to me it may be precipitation and to dose in a higher flow area. I followed that advice and the issue resolved itself.