Tropic Marin All for reef vs other methods?

[ReeferK]

I was wondering if anyone here could share their experiences with AFR, I am starting a nano 20g cube that will be SPS dominant and would like to figure out what my dosing method will be.

I like the idea of AFR with it only being one solution and only requiring one pump, space in a concern as it’s a nano and I’d like to fit everything inside the cabinet

Will I be missing anything by just using AFR?

AFR sounds like a miracle product, if it really is so effective why isn’t everyone using it? Why bother with Calcium reactors and two part solutions when you could simply use AFR?

I am a pretty skeptical person and don’t really believe in miracle products but from my research AFR seem to be the real deal.

Please let me know if I am missing something here, I was going to go with the traditional 2 or three part dosing setup and am even considering a calcium reactor but again why bother when AFR is so simple!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

One drawback relative to some other methods is that it has a very small pH lowering effect vs a pH boost that other methods can have.

Another drawback is cost, but that’s less concern on a small tank.

 

[ReeferK]

One drawback relative to some other methods is that it has a very small pH lowering effect vs a pH boost that other methods can have.

Another drawback is cost, but that’s less concern on a small tank.

Is there a solution to increase pH while using AFR?

what would your preferred method be for dosing a nano sps tank?

 

[william Lutman]

Following

 

[uhgster1]

If you buy the bulk powder it’s not so bad. I dose 5ml a day for my mixed tank. When I had my 65 gallon I dosed 30ml a day. I haven’t had any ph issues since I’ve been using it for the last 3 years.

 

[I never finish anythi]

If you get AFR take it slow . Very slow

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I personally would use a two part over AFR for any tank, but AFR can work as long as you do not have a preexisting pH issue and have other ingredients on hand to make alk or calcium corrections as needed.

 

[Cell]

AFR is suboptimal in that it's a preset ratio of alk/ca. Now, if you are doing DIY version, you can adjust the amounts of each as desired, but if using the powder version, if you want to adjust one independently, it's not as straightforward. The ease and convenience makes up for it for me and many others.

 

[exnisstech]

I like Randy's advise. I will say I have never used AFR as I have always used 2 part. Also on a 20g unless you are gone for days at a time I wouldn't complicate things with a doser or reactor unless it is so is so packed with colonies your consumption is through the roof. On a tank that size manually dosing 2 part would be my choice. I like to keep things simple and a doser just adds another point of failure.

 

[ReeferK]

If you get AFR take it slow . Very slow

Could you elaborate on this?

 

[ReeferK]

AFR is suboptimal in that it's a preset ratio of alk/ca. Now, if you are doing DIY version, you can adjust the amounts of each as desired, but if using the powder version, if you want to adjust one independently, it's not as straightforward. The ease and convenience makes up for it for me and many others.

I have heard that you cannot adjust the ratios of the solution, but isn’t the the same as a calcium reactor? Isn’t the effluent a fixed ratio as well?

 

[ReeferK]

I personally would use a two part over AFR for any tank, but AFR can work as long as you do not have a preexisting pH issue and have other ingredients on hand to make alk or calcium corrections as needed.

What two part would you recommend?

 

[ReeferK]

If you buy the bulk powder it’s not so bad. I dose 5ml a day for my mixed tank. When I had my 65 gallon I dosed 30ml a day. I haven’t had any ph issues since I’ve been using it for the last 3 years.

What do you keep your pH at?

 

[I never finish anythi]

Could you elaborate on this?

Do not go at the full dose straight away. Unless DT uses alot of alk a day. I started at the recommended dose and my alk went up to 20 . Yikes

 

[uhgster1]

What do you keep your pH at?

Honestly, I don’t even check anymore unless I’m doing a water change. It usually sits between 7.9 and 8.2. It fluctuates daily. You’ll go crazy trying to chase numbers. I check my dkh weekly. It’s a better overall indicator of your reefs health. I keep my dkh at 9. I’ve had acros thriving in 7.8ph for years. As long as your parameters aren’t swinging wildly your coral will adapt to the ambient ph in the house.

 

[X-37B]

I know a fellow reefer who loves the stuff. His system is 300g's+.
I have thought about giving it a try on my 20g nano cube.
I dose esv 2 part and dsr trace. They are simple and easy to use on my 20 and 45.
My 10 month old 20g.

 

[hart24601]

I used 2 part for many years, decades I suppose, along with kalk for different systems but the last system I had I used all for reef for a couple years until I shut it down. I had no issues and rather liked it. I would use it again without reservation.

 

[hart24601]

Few shots that were not quite a year apart. Used orphek leds and all 4 reef. These even had multiple frags during that time.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Have used AFR since it came out. No issues and ICP tests have always been in range. Supplemented with Kalk for PH stability.

 

[ReeferK]

Few shots that were not quite a year apart. Used orphek leds and all 4 reef. These even had multiple frags during that time.

Can’t argue with these results!