Tanks based on Aquaforest Products:

[jsker]

No, You will need the mineral salts. I you dose you might want to consider 1+2+3+ which has everything you need.

 

[Arron209]

Thanks. Was considering that but it'd get costly quick with increased dosing.

 

[BWilliby]

I am taking the aquaforest plunge on my 400gl system! Just started dosing components 123+ today and switching to reef salt on my next water change. In doing the math on the components, i came up with 740ml per day, which seems like a lot. Is there anyone else using these with large systems. I know it will depend on tank usage, but looking for some starting point references. For now, i just set my doser to do 120ml per day of each. I have a mixed reef with a bit of everything.

 

[Slim_Okrug]

Started week ago using 65 ml of each component on 180 g mainly softy tank.

 

[Perry]

I am taking the aquaforest plunge on my 400gl system! Just started dosing components 123+ today and switching to reef salt on my next water change. In doing the math on the components, i came up with 740ml per day, which seems like a lot. Is there anyone else using these with large systems. I know it will depend on tank usage, but looking for some starting point references. For now, i just set my doser to do 120ml per day of each. I have a mixed reef with a bit of everything.

That is not a stretch, I use 230ml a day on my 120 gallon sps reef, and that number will increase as the corals grow

 

[eg8r210]

That is not a stretch, I use 230ml a day on my 120 gallon sps reef, and that number will increase as the corals grow

Perry, what confused me about his post is he said "in doing the math". I find it a bit misleading to gauge dosing amount based on size of tank. It doesn't make sense to me. I really think AF should rethink the wording in the guide. What if his 400 gal system is full of softies and LPS? No way does it use 740ml. Maybe a fully stocked and growing SPS system.

 

[bowen1022]

@Perry
I need some help. I recently had an outbreak of Cyanobacteria and just did a 2 day blackout with chemi clean and it wiped it out. Now I am wondering what I should dose to get everything back to normal. I have heard that carbon dosing along with aminos can cause cyano but I really don't want to try one or the other and have it happen again. What do you suggest?

Also anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[eg8r210]

@Perry
I need some help. I recently had an outbreak of Cyanobacteria and just did a 2 day blackout with chemi clean and it wiped it out. Now I am wondering what I should dose to get everything back to normal. I have heard that carbon dosing along with aminos can cause cyano but I really don't want to try one or the other and have it happen again. What do you suggest?

Also anyone else have any suggestions?

What are you nutrients like? NO3 and PO4? Do you have other algae in the tank? Perry can explain his process after using chemiclean. For me, I went the exhausting route of sticking with the AF probiotic program and giving all the time needed for the process to work. My sand and rock work were covered in cyano when I started AF. I spent a month doing weekly WC with the probiotic salt. Month 2 I added pro bio s and np pro daily. At some point between month two and month 3 all the cyano was completely gone. I never disturbed the cyano after reading that all this does is spread the bacteria around the tank. I jut let it die and disappear. Once it was all gone I being dosing the ABEV.

 

[bowen1022]

My nutrients are low and I have been removing some macro algae from the display. I guess I will start off with just using pro bio s and np then I will move into ABVE again when comfortable

 

[eg8r210]

My nutrients are low and I have been removing some macro algae from the display. I guess I will start off with just using pro bio s and np then I will move into ABVE again when comfortable

This is only my view but if you have algae in your tank, like hair algae, or bryopsis, etc then dosing ABEV will not be as effective as if you were truly ULNS. I really believe the Aminos and Vitamins are pointless if not ULNS. I still like to dose Build and Energy but that might even just for my own happiness. Not sure if it is making a difference or not. You might get some differing opinions from others here on the board but if there are nutrients available in your tank then your corals are consuming them.

 

[Perry]

Perry, what confused me about his post is he said "in doing the math". I find it a bit misleading to gauge dosing amount based on size of tank. It doesn't make sense to me. I really think AF should rethink the wording in the guide. What if his 400 gal system is full of softies and LPS? No way does it use 740ml. Maybe a fully stocked and growing SPS system.

Yes, I see what you are saying, but it is not a stretch to think that tank could easily use that number fully stocked with calcifying animals, sorry I should have been more clear. Yes, the user will likely not see that number if starting with frags and or non sps and lps and clams etc... Once the tank reaches maturity, that number is easily in sight. Each tank is different, and really the consumption of alk daily should determine all dosing.

@Perry
I need some help. I recently had an outbreak of Cyanobacteria and just did a 2 day blackout with chemi clean and it wiped it out. Now I am wondering what I should dose to get everything back to normal. I have heard that carbon dosing along with aminos can cause cyano but I really don't want to try one or the other and have it happen again. What do you suggest?

Also anyone else have any suggestions?

Post Chemi Clean, I did a larger water change, and then resumed to dosing schedule for all supplements. I blacked out as well, so I shut down the mineral and trace mineral dosing as well. I made sure to change out medias after the water change with fresh. For example, AF Zeo Mix, AF Carbon, and AF Phosphate Minus. Worked well for me. I recently had a power outage for nearly 3 days, the corals all did well, no filtration, only a powerhead. I noticed a much cleaner tank upon power returning and lights coming on, the rocks, glass, and powerheads were all clean from my CUC. Thinking of making a once per month blackout a part of normal routine, seriously giving it thought

 

[bowen1022]

I did chemi and blackout together and the tank was super clean when I got home lol. I still need to do my WC

 

[eg8r210]

Thinking of making a once per month blackout a part of normal routine, seriously giving it thought

HAHA, I was thinking the same thing.

 

[bubbaque]

Should you dose energy if you corals seem stressed?

 

[Perry]

My rule is if polyps are present, then feeding is most certainly welcome. Energy is a highly nutritious source of food, if feeder polyps are out, it will most certainly be advantageous.

 

[bubbaque]

Thanks a ton! polyps are all out.

 

[bubbaque]

I just wasn't sure because I remember when you first started the Aquaforest products someone told you to be careful with it or something like that.

 

[Perry]

I just wasn't sure because I remember when you first started the Aquaforest products someone told you to be careful with it or something like that.

This is only due to the fact of slight traces of copper sulfate, which in the beginning was freaky to some, I never has an issue as I have used ZeoSpur in the past with success, but just one of those things to disclose I guess. I have been dosing 4 times per week, no issues But like everything, observation post dosing is always a good thing, as is starting off with light doses until the tank and corals get used to the products. Cheers

 

[jsker]

I did chemi and blackout together and the tank was super clean when I got home lol. I still need to do my WC

What are your nutrient number by chance?

 

[BWilliby]

That is not a stretch, I use 230ml a day on my 120 gallon sps reef, and that number will increase as the corals grow

Thanks Perry! My alk dropped 0.5 dkh in a day so I doubled the dose to 240ml per day and that seems to be pretty good at this point. I will keep testing every day or so until I get it dialed in. I loved how quick and clean the Reef Salt mixed up on that first water change!