Tanks based on Aquaforest Products:

[Electrobes]

Hi ok I've asked the same question in the forum "Aquaforest users: let's see them corals" the reason I'm asking here now is
1. Might get more replies
2. Better understanding
3. Because I'm following both threads [emoji1].

I'm also new and want to be using AF products. But not before I know what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. Just wanted to know couldnt us new users just switch over to either A,B,C or 1,2,3? Which are the same thing if I'm write to say? One is used with a doser & the other is a premix you measure and add depending on water quantity. What are the reason for use of bio s, bio pro s, np pro, E,B before you start using their componants. Sorry if this has been answered but I can't alway read all replies.

As for AF's Energy (E), Build (B), Vitality (V), and Amino Mix (A)... These are supplements. You can read more in the description at AF's website, but in short E is coral food with a color modifier, Build is a pH controller that supposedly boosts coral skeleton growth, Vitality is just vitamins that supposedly help darken corals and make them more resistant to maladies, and A is their Amino Acid mix which is supposedly absorbed by corals for better growth.

Honestly these should be considered only after you've stabilized with their salt, parameter dosing, and carbon dosing system. I highly recommend taking a slow approach so there are no surprises and you can better determine how effective different products are on your reef.

 

[sa6hir]

As for Bio S, Bio S Pro, and NP Pro:

These are not parameter dosing.. this is a carbon dosing system (Bacterial System).

You'd start with Bio S (Especially if you're just starting Carbon dosing, or maybe if you're switching over to AF from a previous carbon dosing system). Remember Bio S and Pro Bio S is the bacteria. Eventually, you'll move to using Pro Bio S, and you'd stick to using this for the rest of the time. NP Pro is simply the medium to sustain the bacteria you're dosing to the system.

The Probiotic Salt: This is just their Reef Salt with bacteria, Amino Acids and Vitamins. It does not replace using their carbon system (BiobS, Pro Bio S, and NP Pro). Think if it as boosting their current carbon system. It's specifically used with much more ulns reef keeping in mind.

As an example, I have a mixed reef. I do not need more waste export than just the carbon system plus my own filtering (Skimmer, GAC, and GFO). If I were to go full SPS, and house far more coral than I do now, I would then consider switching salts, remembering that it does contain Amino Acids and Vitamins (Of which I do not yet dose). If I were already dosing that separately, I would consider the stuff in the salt extra, nothing more.

Excellent it all makes sense. Thank you very much

 

[jsker]

My 02. cents, I started with 1+2+3+ using a doser in a established system. Like the results so much and the simplicity that my next step was to switch everything. Next was to reef salt and Np Pro and Pro Bio S. Good Product, simple to follow the instructions, and works well.

 

[sa6hir]

My 02. cents, I started with 1+2+3+ using a doser in a established system. Like the results so much and the simplicity that my next step was to switch everything. Next was to reef salt and Np Pro and Pro Bio S. Good Product, simple to follow the instructions, and works well.

It's nice to see how other members are using AF gives people like me ideas of how I could start. But electrobes has given me and the new users best way to get started. I haven't even used it and I'm loving it...

 

[domination2580]

Can you give more details about your system? What filtration do you have, what's your aim with your tank, etc?

40b lots of coral, I have a skimmer, and a media reactor with phosban in it for phosphates

 

[jsker]

It's nice to see how other members are using AF gives people like me ideas of how I could start. But electrobes has given me and the new users best way to get started. I haven't even used it and I'm loving it...

Very true, I have a simple straight forward style and and that work for some Yourself you like more of the facts and break downs to make a definitive decision and other like @Electrobes are more apt in explaining in a written form then I. I you will start to see a difference in a short time then the 4 to 8 weeks. This reminds me that today I need clean the glass and shoot some picture for my thread update with growth and color. Good luck and keep us posted of the progress.

 

[Anirban]

Thank you very much Anirban for helping me understand how AF works! I appreciate the help every1 else as given me to. If I need anymore help Anirban will it be ok to PM you!

Sure you can no problem.

 

[Electrobes]

I am pretty similar to @jsker, the only difference is that I am currently using Prodibio as my carbon dosing system.

I wasn't planning on changing from Prodibio as I liked only dosing every two weeks, especially since I travel/vacation quite a bit with my family. Upon further investigation I learned that (And honestly I should have realized this sooner) that the only difference between the two systems is just quantity dosed on different times. If won't matter all that much if I skip a few days here and there. There might be a difference in Bacterial strains.. but both do the same job.

With that, when I finish using my Prodibio stock, I'll switch to Pro Bio S (Since I already have a carbon dosing system, I don't need to start with Bio S) and NP Pro. That won't be for another three months or so.

When that happens my total AF product line that I'll be using will be:

- Reef Salt
- Component 123+
- Pro Bio S
- NP Pro

Once I let that run for a couple months, I'll consider their other supplements like A, E, B, and V (Not in that order).

Given that my tank is mixed and not as full as others (I like few but humongous corals.. I only have six species in my 100G tank.) I don't see myself using the Probiotic Salt.

 

[eg8r210]

Hi ok I've asked the same question in the forum "Aquaforest users: let's see them corals" the reason I'm asking here now is
1. Might get more replies
2. Better understanding
3. Because I'm following both threads [emoji1].

I'm also new and want to be using AF products. But not before I know what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. Just wanted to know couldnt us new users just switch over to either A,B,C or 1,2,3? Which are the same thing if I'm write to say? One is used with a doser & the other is a premix you measure and add depending on water quantity. What are the reason for use of bio s, bio pro s, np pro, E,B before you start using their componants. Sorry if this has been answered but I can't alway read all replies.

There is a lot of confusion over how to use ABC or 123. It is very easy to clear this up...

1. If you manually dose or use a doser then you user 1+2+3+. 1+2+3+ includes Cal, Alk, Mg, Mineral salts (used to balance excess NaCl), and trace elements.
2. If you use a calcium reactor (CaRx) then you use ABC+Kalium. Add Kalium if you test low on potassium. ABC includes the trace elements that your CaRx is not providing

1+2+3+ comes as a premix solution and is perfect for users that do not have massive consumption (say 200 ml/day). For those users that are blowing through the premix quickly and find that economically it makes more sense to switch to a DIY mix you can buy the powder mix for Calcium, Alk, Mg and Mineral Salts. You then mix that with Components Strong. Once that is all mixed up you have the same thing as the 1+2+3+ premix. By going the DIY route you have the ability to fine tune your mix by adding more or less of individual elements.

Probiotic program:

1. Probiotic Salt - Around 10% water change weekly
2. Bio S - Bacteria to add when seeding a tank, can be used after water changes, etc.
3. Pro Bio S - Daily bacteria dosed to tank
4. -NP Pro - Food specifically designed to feed the bacteria in Pro Bio S

Supplements like ABEV (Aminos, Build, Energy and Vitamins) are not required but will help build on the stable growing reef. I personally like Build and Energy and don't see any reason to not start using them when ever you want. The Aminos and Vitamins I don't personally recommend until you are truly ULNS. My definitely of ULNS means 1-3 Nitrate and .03 or less Phosphate and NO algae growing in the tank. Anything higher and your corals and algae will consume those nutrients and not have a much of a need for Aminos and Vitamins. Many people think they have ULNS because their tests read 0 but they have algae. Well the algae and corals are consuming the nutrients. Continue running zeolites and phos minus till the algae goes away and you will notice corals begin to lose color. At that point you will see major changes when you add in the aminos and vitamins and you will begin to see the amazing colors of these beautiful AF tanks online.

 

[eg8r210]

Component A,B,C is basically all other parameters that isn't Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium.

Component 123+ is a complete dosing regimen that includes all of Component A,B,C AND Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium.

If you were already doing two part (That only included Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium) then you would probably start with Component ABC. If you decided you don't want to use 5 dosers for this, and want a complete parameter dosing system, then you'd use Component 123+.

One bit of clarification is that 123+, and components strong all include Kalium. Components ABC does NOT contain Kalium. AF recommendation is dose Kalium as needed.

 

[Electrobes]

40b lots of coral, I have a skimmer, and a media reactor with phosban in it for phosphates

Are you carbon dosing at all? What are your parameters, on average? Do you perform water changes? How long has the system been running? Are you dosing any other supplements?

 

[Electrobes]

One bit of clarification is that 123+, and components strong all include Kalium. Components ABC does NOT contain Kalium. AF recommendation is dose Kalium as needed.

Thanks for that, good to know!

 

[domination2580]

Are you carbon dosing at all? What are your parameters, on average? Do you perform water changes? How long has the system been running? Are you dosing any other supplements?

Water changes when I can, it's been running 5 months, hand dosing the supplements

 

[Electrobes]

Water changes when I can, it's been running 5 months, hand dosing the supplements

Are you using any bacteria (Carbon dosing) systems (ie Prodibio, AF's Bio or Pro Bio S and NP Pro, etc)?

What supplements are you dosing?

 

[domination2580]

Alk, cal, mag. I haven't put bacteria in since I started the tank

 

[Electrobes]

Alk, cal, mag. I haven't put bacteria in since I started the tank

There are several routes you can take, some being more complete faster than others. Given how young your tank is, I hesitate to rush in with too much right off the bat.

Have your parameters (Alk, Cal, Mag, NO3, PO4, Salinity, pH) been consistent for, say, the last month or two?

At this stage, I would start with the following:

- AF Reef Salt
- Bio S and NP Pro (You'll eventually switch to Pro Bio S and NP Pro)

As for dosing, this one will be up to you. You could easily continue with your two part system (Alk, Cal, Mag) and just keep an eye on how your tank responds to just the Reef salt and AF's carbon system. On the other hand you could also switch out your current two part system for their version called Component 123+. They have a pre-mixed version (I currently use this) or you could mix your own (I would speak to Perry about this as he has the recipe to make this yourself).

As time goes on and you feel that your tank has comfortably embraced the suggested above products (I would assume your tank will be thriving as mine is now), then you could move on to their other products (Probiotic Reef salt, Energy, Amino Mix, Vitality, Build, their coral foods, etc) that they offer, that you feel your corals may or may not want/need to achieve the vision you have. In my case, I am not aiming for a tank full of SPS corals.. instead I have a minimalist reef with some soft coral, and the majority are montiporas. I, thus far, feel like I am achieving exactly what I want with Reef Salt and their Component 123+ system. I'll eventually switch over to the Pro Bio S and NP Pro, but I probably will not use their Probiotic Salt, especially as I don't feel quite ready to observe how my corals respond to the vitamins and amino acids that are in it.

HTH

 

[fragit]

Just finished the 14 days of BioS, and switched to ProBioS and NP Pro. I am wondering can I dose some BioS that is left over in my QT tank to help reduce ammonia etc?

 

[m0jjen]

Im gonna rethink my system, i currently have dino and cyano. What im currently using is Probiotic salt (not doing WC at all atm). Im doing Pro Bio S (have np-pro but i wont carbon dose since i belive it encourage cyano?). I just started components 123+.

Can someone advice me on what to do at this point? Should i start over with BioS and reef salt then move onto Pro Bio S? I also got A,B,E,V but wont dose anything until my tank is stable.

Thanks in advance.

 

[eg8r210]

Im gonna rethink my system, i currently have dino and cyano. What im currently using is Probiotic salt (not doing WC at all atm). Im doing Pro Bio S (have np-pro but i wont carbon dose since i belive it encourage cyano?). I just started components 123+.

Can someone advice me on what to do at this point? Should i start over with BioS and reef salt then move onto Pro Bio S? I also got A,B,E,V but wont dose anything until my tank is stable.

Thanks in advance.

It is so tough to really tell you what to do especially since you are having symptoms that are not synonymous with the products. I had cyano before I started AF products of which I started very slowly with only the probiotic salt, pro bio s and np pro for over a month before thinking about anything else. I actually did nothing different other than daily dosing of pro bio s and np pro and weekly 10% water change for about 6 weeks. The cyano stopped increasing but never really went away for a few months. I had no intention of trying chemi-clean or other products and was intent on waiting it out to see if the AF products and weekly husbandry would do the trick. Happy to say I am completely free of cyano. I want to say it took a few months to totally starve out the cyano but it has not come back.

I agree, you probably don't need to dose the ABEV just yet. Considering your issues appear to be with water quality, I would check your RODI to make sure you are getting 0 tds (calibrate your meter). Test water for nutrient issues like PO4 and NO3. If you have any issues with those at all then doing a large water change (50% +) a couple weeks in a row should get you in check really quick.

 

[Fredrik]

It is so tough to really tell you what to do especially...

You did waterchanges with the probiotic salt when you had cyano? Seeing how it contains aminos and such it in theory should fuel cyano? Same goes for np-pro which is a carbon source.

Im just gonna get myself a reef salt bucket and do some waterchanges i guess.

My nutrients always have been on the low side (monthly tritontests show po4 below 0.02). No3 has never been present until now (lost a fish. 2 cleaner shrips and a urchin), now i have a no3 of 5 ppm