This is from a conversation I had with
@Electrobes about aquaforest. Hopefully this will help you out some. Direct quote
Your filtration: So right now you are using biopellets, which is a medium for feeding bacteria, which jointly also consume Nitrates ad Phosphates to make more of itself.
The problem is, is that you aren't supplying the bacteria. Of course, there I bacteria already in your tank, but.. while it dominates the tank, it is theorized that with different bacteria strains comes different properties. The bacteria supplied by vendors (ie Aquaforest, Prodibio, Weight, etc) supposedly is far more skimmable, making it easier for the skimmer to remove both the nitrates and phosphates the bacteria captured. Your current dominating bacteria may or may not be one of those things.. but in general it is theorized for it to not be as skimmable as those provided by vendors.
Your NPX biopellets is comparable to NP Pro, by Aquaforest. It will feed the bacteria with. carbon source (Hence the term carbon dosing), for it to more easily and freely grab nitrates and phosphates to construct more of itself.
Bio S and Pro Bio S are both bacterias. Bio S is a starter version, while Pro Bio S comes after you use the Bio S. Once you start using Pro Bio S, you stay with it for the duration of the tank's running.
The Salt: So the to main salts you should focus on is Reef Salt and Probiotic Salt.
Reef Salt: This is your normal salt as compared to NO, RC, RS, etc. There is nothing special about this salt, unless you are like me, and simply like where the parameters are within it. I specifically use this salt because their parameters are exactly where I want my tank to be. Other salts I've used normally needed to be adjusted to better fit my tank's parameters. It's at a good price and I a quality salt IMO.
Probiotic Salt: This salt is Reef Salt with a kick of Bacteria, Vitamins, and Amino Acids. Basically, if you already use Amino's and Vitamins, plus their bacteria system.. and have a thriving spotless (Meaning no algae problems of any kind) tank I would use this as a sort of boosted salt.
For me, personally, I don't see myself using this Sat any time soon. My tank is thriving but is so minimalist that I can't see needing the boost of any kind. I don't yet use (Am not even sure if I will ever.. something for me to consider down the road) vitamins and Amino... and I can only assume the bacteria boost to be negligible. Given the extra cost to this salt, versus Reef Salt, I just don't see it as worth it to me. I would only consider the Probiotic Salt is I wanted to try out Amino's and Vitamins passively.
