Personally, I like to use the Carbocalcium (for the Ca and alkalinity) with the addition of the Trace K and Trace A, as a single solution, and then dose my Mg separately, on a larger system. This method gives me control over the amount of Mg added to the system and works out to be a slightly lower cost option.
It's been a bit but I'm about to start adding part c as recommended by you after quite a bit of reading. Since discontinuing AFR when my Ca consumption grew tremendously at random - things have balanced back out *a bit*. I tried the brightwell liquids, not a huge fan. Ended up settling with BRS powders to mix up myself. I do use tremendously more ALK now than Ca in the tank, as you said you see more often.
It really depends on your system. If you see ANY quick change in the Ca or alkalinity, as you are testing, I would correct the concentrations with Balling A or B, and then adjust your dose of AFR up or down as needed. IF you feel your system will change rapidly, then test more often. MAybe even test every day or other day. If you feel it is running more stably, then maybe go 3-5 days. In the early part of the transition you will always be testing more often. ANd then as things even out, less often. The suggestion of changing the dose "weekly by 2.5 ml per 100 liters (26 US-gal) of aquarium system volume, until a constant carbonate hardness of 7 to 9 °dH is reached." is just a general guideline of how much you can change the dosage each week while figuring this out. But all systems are different. If you run into more quesitons during this time, I'm also always available in the office, to chat by phone and go through your specifics directly with you. Always feel free to give me a call!
You rock Lou, thanks for the reply! Exactly the info I was looking for.It really depends on your system. If you see ANY quick change in the Ca or alkalinity, as you are testing, I would correct the concentrations with Balling A or B, and then adjust your dose of AFR up or down as needed. IF you feel your system will change rapidly, then test more often. MAybe even test every day or other day. If you feel it is running more stably, then maybe go 3-5 days. In the early part of the transition you will always be testing more often. ANd then as things even out, less often. The suggestion of changing the dose "weekly by 2.5 ml per 100 liters (26 US-gal) of aquarium system volume, until a constant carbonate hardness of 7 to 9 °dH is reached." is just a general guideline of how much you can change the dosage each week while figuring this out. But all systems are different. If you run into more quesitons during this time, I'm also always available in the office, to chat by phone and go through your specifics directly with you. Always feel free to give me a call!
The key in the transition is watching your parameters and making small adjustments. Start with that recommended dose and just adjust as needed.
Thank you Lou! Much appreciated!
Thanks for this! I’m a nano reefer as well. I had picked up a bottle of AFR when I was getting started and was considering if/how I would start applying it. I’ve just been buffing dKH with soda ash at WC, but as my consumption rate increases I’ll look at this.
I would skip the soda ash. Get a Hannah DKH checker (best $ I ever spent on reefing) check once per day at the same time for 5 or 6 days without dosing anything. This will get you an idea of your alk consumption. Then dose the AFR and correct to DKH of 9 (or whatever you like).
Also, if you are buffing your fresh saltwater at water change, you may want to find better salt or salt that is more in line with your target.
Thanks, I have been changing over from Red Sea salt (which mixed to pretty low dKH) to TM Reef salt. In the process I’ve been keeping it around 9.5. I’ve been measuring with the Hanna twice a week, so feel pretty good about the current stability. I have quite a few coral frags in there now, but overall the load is still small. To your point, while I was mostly concerned about nutrients at the start, my chemistry/alkalinity is what I’m trying to dial in now.
