View Full Version : Aquaforest probiotic method
Well, there's another player in the game!
Aquaforest is a probiotic-based method like Zeovit, Prodibio, Fauna Marin, Tropic Marin, etc. It uses a probiotic salt (like Tropic Marin) and zeolith media, and there are daily additives though it is simpler than the Zeovit method. They three different salts and additives for everything from FOWLR to mixed reef, to high-demand SPS dominant tanks. As with most European-based companies, they advocate T5 or halide+T5 systems, and the method can be adapted for RICH SPS colors or pastel (like you see with Zeovit).
The company is based in Poland, and the products have been quickly gaining popularity across the pond. There is quite a stir in the last few months on Reef Central, and a US distributor just received stock in November. Aquaforest told me on RC to expect a Canadian distributor in March. I'm excited to try this method out.
Check out Debora's tank from Poland on RC: www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2338895 (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2338895)
Aquaforest website: http://aquaforest-reef.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Aquaforest/
Guide: http://aquaforest.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Gueide-English.pdf
Pics from Debora's tank:
http://coralfarm.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Deborazdj%C4%99cia.jpg
Delphinus
12-15-2015, 04:43 PM
The pictures are certainly drool worthy!
Aquattro
12-15-2015, 06:46 PM
The pictures are certainly drool worthy!
almost makes me want to fire up the Zeo again :)
No need to wait if you got deep pockets, looks like aqua forest is selling on Amazon.ca
http://www.amazon.ca/Aquaforest-Probiotic-Reef-22-Kilogram-Bucket/dp/B0168K0F32/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1450229908&sr=1-2
I'm thinking about trying this. I live close enough to the border I might run down and grab some.
Wheelman76
12-16-2015, 12:51 AM
$98 bucket makes 30 gallons? Am I reading that right?
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/15/ef9c7862a0e27b48757a1ebb0d225bb6.jpg
It's a typo. If you read the product description it says 380 gals.
No need to wait if you got deep pockets, looks like aqua forest is selling on Amazon.ca
I didn't know that! I saw it on Amazon.com and shipping was outrageous. I'll be ordering this up soon then! I don't know what you mean about deep pockets -it's cheaper than Zeovit and Tropic Marin.
Wheelman76
12-16-2015, 01:16 AM
It's a typo. If you read the product description it says 380 gals.
No it says 380g (grams) of salt will make 10 litres of water
mrhasan
12-16-2015, 01:17 AM
It's a typo. If you read the product description it says 380 gals.
Its 380g = 380 grams can be mixed into 10L of water for 1.024 SG. So 22kg (22,000g) can mix up to 587L which is 152 gallons. In par with other salts.
Aquattro
12-16-2015, 01:19 AM
Its 380g = 380 grams can be mixed into 10L of water for 1.024 SG. So 22kg (22,000g) can mix up to 587L which is 152 gallons. In par with other salts.
Math is hard though :)
mrhasan
12-16-2015, 01:21 AM
It's a typo. If you read the product description it says 380 gals.
Math is hard though :)
I am sure it's not hard for you :smile:
Wheelman76
12-16-2015, 01:21 AM
I just had all that typed out and you two ruined it lol
mrhasan
12-16-2015, 01:22 AM
I didn't know that! I saw it on Amazon.com and shipping was outrageous. I'll be ordering this up soon then! I don't know what you mean about deep pockets -it's cheaper than Zeovit and Tropic Marin.
Free shipping to my address. Should I click buy? Need to buy salt anyways! :question:
Aquattro
12-16-2015, 01:23 AM
I just had all that typed out and you two ruined it lol
his fault^
Trevor W
12-16-2015, 01:29 AM
I recently stumbled upon this youtube channel which had alot of videos with aquaforest in the title:
https://www.youtube.com/user/sever1010/videos
It then lead me to their youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtx2VTs0H4PrMrdTDA8DcbQ/videos
Looks like really interesting stuff, will be nice to hear some other peoples experiences with it as it makes its way to North America
mrhasan
12-16-2015, 01:30 AM
I just had all that typed out and you two ruined it lol
Ops sorry :redface:
Just bought a pail. Will be getting it before Christmas :mrgreen: I used to use reefer's best anyways and the price is almost the same. Plus it comes with a marked cup :biggrin:
I didn't know that! I saw it on Amazon.com and shipping was outrageous. I'll be ordering this up soon then! I don't know what you mean about deep pockets -it's cheaper than Zeovit and Tropic Marin.
My bad, I was comparing this to the price of the standard reef salt on salty supply.
This is actually cheaper than their sale price of 77 U.S. a pail.
Sweet, easy access and better than us pricing. I'm in.
mrhasan
12-16-2015, 01:32 AM
Here's an "scientific" (well kind of) article on several salts including AF:
http://reefhub.pl/test-soli-drugie-starcie/
Aquattro
12-16-2015, 01:32 AM
Ops sorry :redface:
Just bought a pail. Will be getting it before Christmas :mrgreen: I used to use reefer's best anyways and the price is almost the same. Plus it comes with a marked cup :biggrin:
I live on an island, I have to use salt from the grocery store now. I can't even buy RBS here.
mrhasan
12-16-2015, 01:33 AM
I live on an island, I have to use salt from the grocery store now. I can't even buy RBS here.
Doesn't anyone ship to your place?
mrhasan
12-16-2015, 01:34 AM
My bad, I was comparing this to the price of the standard reef salt on salty supply.
This is actually cheaper than their sale price of 77 U.S. a pail.
Sweet, easy access and better than us pricing. I'm in.
Last bucket so you might wanna pull the trigger quickly!
WarDog
12-16-2015, 01:34 AM
Here's an "scientific" (well kind of) article on several salts including AF:
http://reefhub.pl/test-soli-drugie-starcie/
In Polish?
Aquattro
12-16-2015, 01:35 AM
In Polish?
You don't read Polish? Cretin..
Regarding the typo, the 22kg bucket makes about 150 gallons at 1.024 according to my calculations. It says 380 grams of salt makes 10 liters of saltwater at 1.024. So 22 kg should make 150 gallons.
WarDog
12-16-2015, 01:36 AM
You don't read Polish? Cretin..
Itch de hollari!
mrhasan
12-16-2015, 01:36 AM
In Polish?
The translation is there at the top right corner (the flags).
Aquattro
12-16-2015, 01:39 AM
Regarding the typo, the 22kg bucket makes about 150 gallons at 1.024 according to my calculations. It says 380 grams of salt makes 10 liters of saltwater at 1.024. So 22 kg should make 150 gallons.
So, regarding the not reading previous posts :)
According to the link above for the salt testing, it takes 415 grams of Aquaforest Reef Salt (not the probiotic one) to make 10 liters of saltwater at 35 ppt (1.0264), so that would mean 22 kg bucket would make 140 gallons at 1.0264.
So, regarding the not reading previous posts :)
:lol: You guys are posting too damn fast. I read the thread on my phone, and then came on here to look at Amazon.ca and you guys blew up the thread. Go figure...
WarDog
12-16-2015, 01:43 AM
The translation is there at the top right corner (the flags).
No flags on the phone. Too lazy to go to the computer. Probably too lazy to read it anyways. Just summarize for me in 10 words or less.
Aquattro
12-16-2015, 01:44 AM
No flags on the phone. Too lazy to go to the computer. Probably too lazy to read it anyways. Just summarize for me in 10 words or less.
Salt good. You buy. Ok?
mrhasan
12-16-2015, 01:51 AM
In Polish?
Salt good. You buy. Ok?
^ This +
Aquaforest Reef Salt - Polish salt production, which won vigorously market. You can see that the manufacturer has set a target to obtain brine that will (with a few exceptions, eg. Sulfur, strontium, barium, iodine, iron), possible an exact copy of a natural seawater. It is also a salt, which I think stands out in terms of quality and purity substrates used. Salt AF seems to be a universal salt tanks SPSowych about the various stages of advancement, especially for those aquarists who seek to obtain the best color of their corals. This, however, will require additional supplementation. Unfortunately, the quality of the components translates into highly hygroscopic and risk petrifaction salt. According to my eye, salt AF showed the smallest clarity of all respondents salt
So great for mixing and using; no good for storing.
WarDog
12-16-2015, 01:54 AM
Salt good. You buy. Ok?
Sure, but if Jeff no stock, me no buy.
Aquattro
12-16-2015, 02:07 AM
Sure, but if Jeff no stock, me no buy.
I can't even buy salt there, doesn't float.
Baker
12-16-2015, 02:35 AM
Free shipping to my address. Should I click buy? Need to buy salt anyways! :question:
Excuse me sir.... Salt is for people who have tanks. Is it time for you to get back in?
mrhasan
12-16-2015, 03:01 AM
Excuse me sir.... Salt is for people who have tanks. Is it time for you to get back in?
Yes! :biggrin:
Baker
12-16-2015, 03:03 AM
Yes! :biggrin:
Good to hear! Same tank?
mrhasan
12-16-2015, 03:05 AM
Good to hear! Same tank?
Nop. Brand new one.
hunggi74
12-16-2015, 08:57 AM
I can't even buy salt there, doesn't float.
There is someone on the Island that I'm sure has a boatload of salt hordes away in his or her house. He might as well open his own store over there. You know him lol
Aquattro
12-16-2015, 01:15 PM
There is someone on the Island that I'm sure has a boatload of salt hordes away in his or her house. He might as well open his own store over there. You know him lol
He doesn't talk to me anymore. And cheap salt. I would like to have Reefers Best available here.
He doesn't talk to me anymore. And cheap salt. I would like to have Reefers Best available here.
Me too, but apparently I can buy this AF stuff on Amazon.ca, and as much as I like to support my LFS, he doesn't want to carry RBS, and H2Ocean is driving me nuts with the IO-style elevated alk. Besides, I've been using H2Ocean for 5 or 6 years now, and I think it's time for change - I'm getting the itch.
Bayside Corals
12-18-2015, 03:32 AM
Me too, but apparently I can buy this AF stuff on Amazon.ca, and as much as I like to support my LFS, he doesn't want to carry RBS, and H2Ocean is driving me nuts with the IO-style elevated alk. Besides, I've been using H2Ocean for 5 or 6 years now, and I think it's time for change - I'm getting the itch.
It's not that he doesn't want to carry it. It's just that there is very little demand :)
It's not that he doesn't want to carry it. It's just that there is very little demand :)
That's why he doesn't want to carry it. :lol:
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mrhasan
12-18-2015, 04:03 AM
I got my pail of salt shipped to the wrong apartment number :sad: Not the best time of the year to do that but luckily, the resident of the apartment is kind enough to receive a 22kg bucket on my behalf and let me know when I can pick it up. :redface:
I'm jealous. I'm going to do some big water changes to get rid of my H2Ocean. Haha
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mrhasan
12-18-2015, 01:57 PM
I'm jealous. I'm going to do some big water changes to get rid of my H2Ocean. Haha
Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk
I threw away half a bucket of reefer's best salt while changing home since I didn't feel like carrying it down and then up the stairs. You can do the same if you want :biggrin:
Proteus
12-18-2015, 02:23 PM
Myself and others in the Edmonton area have all quit using rbs for the last year. At $140 a box and extremely inconsistent alk levels it was a waste of money
Aquattro
12-18-2015, 02:28 PM
Myself and others in the Edmonton area have all quit using rbs for the last year. At $140 a box and extremely inconsistent alk levels it was a waste of money
While I liked it when I used it, alk was always dead on. I also wouldn't pay $140/box -lol
Honestly though, other than higher alk, I find no real difference now that I'm using IO again. Other than lower Ca, but that's easy enough to fix.
Proteus
12-18-2015, 02:57 PM
While I liked it when I used it, alk was always dead on. I also wouldn't pay $140/box -lol
Honestly though, other than higher alk, I find no real difference now that I'm using IO again. Other than lower Ca, but that's easy enough to fix.
I also switched to IO. Mixes fine and didn't see any issue when doing a water change.
I have had and seen boxes of rbs with alk from 5dkh to 11 dkh.
I can't just justify the price if I have to change params
I threw away half a bucket of reefer's best salt while changing home since I didn't feel like carrying it down and then up the stairs. You can do the same if you want :biggrin:
:lol: I'm too cheap for that. If I'm going to "get rid" of some salt, I may as well get rid of it into the tank. :D
While I liked it when I used it, alk was always dead on. I also wouldn't pay $140/box -lol
Honestly though, other than higher alk, I find no real difference now that I'm using IO again. Other than lower Ca, but that's easy enough to fix.
So what you're saying is that there's no similarities. :lol:
I can't just justify the price if I have to change params
No kidding!!! I use muriatic acid to lower the alkalinity in H2Ocean before using it, but I have to mix a few hours for pH to rise back up.
Aquattro
12-18-2015, 04:16 PM
So what you're saying is that there's no similarities. :lol:
No, I'm saying salt is salt. I add 50 cents of Ca to make a $40 bucket the same as a $140 box and my alk is 9 instead of 8. If I were to really care about alk, another few cents of HCL would take care of that too. But I'm not worried about alk, so save 100 bucks every 6 weeks. Although now that you mention it, saving $866/yr really makes them very different.
Delphinus
12-18-2015, 05:01 PM
No, I'm saying salt is salt. I add 50 cents of Ca to make a $40 bucket the same as a $140 box and my alk is 9 instead of 8. If I were to really care about alk, another few cents of HCL would take care of that too. But I'm not worried about alk, so save 100 bucks every 6 weeks. Although now that you mention it, saving $866/yr really makes them very different.
That's my approach too. Everytime I tried a more expensive salt of any kind I found that I still needed to test params and occasionally adjust. If I end up doing that anyhow then I might as well go with the least cost option. The amount of Ca and Alk or even Mg I'd dose to get to targets is WAY less than the upcost of a different salt.
I dunno maybe that's just weird but I never noticed a difference in the tank using a more expensive salt. (Except when I got complacent and stopped testing incoming salt and got burned by a bad batch. And there just isn't a single salt brand that is immune to that!!)
I used to be in the same boat as you guys. There are lots of old posts with me saying IO + a couple supplements = WIN. Then I tried H2Ocean and never looked back (my SPS improved). Now, H2Ocean has much higher alkalinity than it used to, so I'm adding muriatic acid to it and everything else tests out fine. If you're not running SPS-dominant, I don't think there is much difference between one salt and another.
Aquattro
12-18-2015, 05:14 PM
Except I run SPS dominant and still feel like salt is salt. I used RBS for 2 years in the 180, then IO for the next 2. No difference. Perhaps something else changed for you at the time you changed salt?
Regardless, the only salt I can buy is IO, so that's what I use.
Except I run SPS dominant and still feel like salt is salt. I used RBS for 2 years in the 180, then IO for the next 2. No difference. Perhaps something else changed for you at the time you changed salt?
Regardless, the only salt I can buy is IO, so that's what I use.
I switched back and forth a few times to convince myself it was the salt because I didn't believe it.
Well, now you can buy Aquaforest on Amazon! *mind blown* :lol:
Aquattro
12-18-2015, 05:22 PM
I switched back and forth a few times to convince myself it was the salt because I didn't believe it.
Well, now you can buy Aquaforest on Amazon! *mind blown* :lol:
Still more than I spend on IO, which I'm happy with. Can't justify more money for no gain.
Still more than I spend on IO, which I'm happy with. Can't justify more money for no gain.
How do you know that? This stuff could be the next reefing miracle! :razz:
Aquattro
12-18-2015, 05:30 PM
How do you know that? This stuff could be the next reefing miracle! :razz:
I've been doing this long enough to know that there are no miracles. Just stability. :)
I've been doing this long enough to know that there are no miracles. Just stability. :)
There are miracles everywhere...take Radiums for example. ;)
Aquattro
12-18-2015, 05:40 PM
There are miracles everywhere...take Radiums for example. ;)
Just lights. I prefer them, many don't. Look at you, you chose an inferior light and you're happy :)
Just lights. I prefer them, many don't. Look at you, you chose an inferior light and you're happy :)
Pff. I'd have Radiums too if I could justify the COST to run them. :lol: You pick lights over salt, I pick salt over lights. :)
Aquattro
12-18-2015, 05:51 PM
Pff. I'd have Radiums too if I could justify the COST to run them. :lol: You pick lights over salt, I pick salt over lights. :)
T5 8 bulb vs 400w MH. About the same cost. Except my bulbs are cheaper :)
Aquattro
12-18-2015, 05:51 PM
Oddly enough, the most expensive lights I ran were my LED -lol
I have 6 bulbs. 6x39w or 2x250w + 2×39w. Big difference.
Aquattro
12-18-2015, 05:54 PM
About $4/mo??
Aquattro
12-18-2015, 05:56 PM
About $4/mo??
0.26 cents/day, according to BC Hydro. Maybe power is more there?
Plus ac more days of the year.
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Aquattro
12-18-2015, 07:05 PM
Plus ac more days of the year.
Isn't that a "Pro"? :) Anyway, quit hijacking my thread. Talking about probiotics here.
This is MY thread and there are 4 pages of crap salt and light talk in it now. Thanks Brad.
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Aquattro
12-18-2015, 07:28 PM
This is MY thread and there are 4 pages of crap salt and light talk in it now. Thanks Brad.
Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk
You should keep your threads cleaner then. This is pretty hard to read.
All I've got from this so far - "Unfortunately, the quality of the components translates into highly hygroscopic and risk petrifaction salt. According to my eye, salt AF showed the smallest clarity of all respondents salt"
mrhasan
12-18-2015, 10:08 PM
:pop2:
Chase31
12-18-2015, 10:49 PM
All junk aside I would love to lmao how this works for everyone
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You should keep your threads cleaner then. This is pretty hard to read.
All I've got from this so far - "Unfortunately, the quality of the components translates into highly hygroscopic and risk petrifaction salt. According to my eye, salt AF showed the smallest clarity of all respondents salt"
Ya and IO is good for storage and nothing else.
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Its 380g = 380 grams can be mixed into 10L of water for 1.024 SG. So 22kg (22,000g) can mix up to 587L which is 152 gallons. In par with other salts.
Thanks Numbers! I was just about to whip out my calculator :lol:
Ryan7
12-20-2015, 08:45 PM
You guys still do water changes? :)
Reef-Geek
12-21-2015, 05:52 AM
Aquaforest Reef Salt 22-Kilogram Bucket
by Aquaforest
Be the first to review this item
Price: CDN$ 69.90 Free Shipping for Prime Members
I am gonna give it a try, the price seems very reasonable.
Anyone else using it can report back?
Edit:
wait, what?
http://i65.tinypic.com/2d93d3b.png
gmann
12-21-2015, 05:58 AM
Im waiting for the 25kg box to come in stock. $10 cheaper than the 22kg bucket
Reef-Geek
12-21-2015, 06:01 AM
What exactly are the differences between soft coral version VS lps/sps version VS the Probiotic ??
Wheelman76
12-21-2015, 06:32 AM
What exactly are the differences between soft coral version VS lps/sps version VS the Probiotic ??
Check out the link , it has some more detailed info on all of their products.
http://aquaforest.eu/en/product-category/sole-morskie/
Im waiting for the 25kg box to come in stock. $10 cheaper than the 22kg bucket
Oh I didn't notice that. Good catch.
Reef-Geek
12-21-2015, 07:21 PM
Check out the link , it has some more detailed info on all of their products.
http://aquaforest.eu/en/product-category/sole-morskie/
Thanks, I'll give Reef Salt a try.
Oh I didn't notice that. Good catch.
I don't even see the 25kg from aquaforest's website?
gmann
12-21-2015, 08:35 PM
on amazon
mrhasan
12-22-2015, 11:42 PM
Picked it up today :mrgreen:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/695/23890570156_5b4d23204c_z.jpg
Hate the lid! Wish every salt manufacturer would do something similar to Salinity's bucket. I am crying inside for throwing away the bucket during my move :cry:
Reef-Geek
12-22-2015, 11:51 PM
I always use a pair of pliers to open the lid, works much better than hands :lol::lol:
Let us know how you like the salt.
mrhasan
12-22-2015, 11:54 PM
I always use a pair of pliers to open the lid, works much better than hands :lol::lol:
Let us know how you like the salt.
Pliers will be easier but this lid is probably the worst one I have seen, the second worst being H2ocean. I guess "high end" salt manufacturers don't pay much attention to the fact that the lids need to be opened in order to use the salt :lol:
Baker
12-22-2015, 11:54 PM
Picked it up today :mrgreen:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/695/23890570156_5b4d23204c_z.jpg
Hate the lid! Wish every salt manufacturer would do something similar to Salinity's bucket. I am crying inside for throwing away the bucket during my move :cry:
Where did you find that?
mrhasan
12-22-2015, 11:55 PM
Where did you find that?
Amazon. I picked up the 2nd last one.
Reefer Rob
12-23-2015, 01:50 AM
Have you mixed any yet? Curios about the actual readings you get for the elements. The last two buckets of IO I've bought have had ridiculously low Mg.
mrhasan
12-23-2015, 02:07 AM
Have you mixed any yet? Curios about the actual readings you get for the elements. The last two buckets of IO I've bought have had ridiculously low Mg.
Won't be mixing any time soon. RODI is on back order right now (hopefully will be shipped out on 28th of this month), need to get the LR which may take some time. I will probably be mixing it during the 2nd week of January. But when I do, I will post the results. Need to get testing kit though.
mseepman
12-24-2015, 05:12 AM
I just ordered 2 of the reef salt 25kg boxes....pricing was good and shipping was free. Stock is out but is estimated to be available soon and they don't charge until available. Reef Crystals has been pricier lately in the Okanagan and just so damned dirty. I think things can only get better
WarDog
12-24-2015, 05:31 AM
Picked it up today :mrgreen:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/695/23890570156_5b4d23204c_z.jpg
Nice score mrhasan! Please post your results after mixing HERE. (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=116180)
Reefer Rob
12-24-2015, 09:08 PM
22kg bucket of Reef Salt (non probiotic) ordered. Should be interesting.
I just ordered 2 of the reef salt 25kg boxes....pricing was good and shipping was free. Stock is out but is estimated to be available soon and they don't charge until available. Reef Crystals has been pricier lately in the Okanagan and just so damned dirty. I think things can only get better
Nice! Yeah, the cheap salt is getting pricier these days with the American dollar. I think we notice this more because I think vendors tend to have smaller margins on the cheap salt. I don't know for sure, but it seems like the pricey salts haven't gone up much...so far.
I think only the Reef Salt and Sea Salt is available in 25kg boxes, not the Probiotic Reef Salt, correct? Anyone see the Probiotic Reef Salt in a 25kg box? I don't see it on amazon.com either.
they have it on the other side, sort of, out of stock. maybe thats why its not on amazon.
http://aquaforest-reef.co.uk/shop/probiotic-reef-salt-25kg/
they have it on the other side, sort of, out of stock. maybe thats why its not on amazon.
http://aquaforest-reef.co.uk/shop/probiotic-reef-salt-25kg/
Hmm, ok. Thanks. I noticed also that their "KH Buffer" and "NP Pro" aren't showing up at all on Amazon.ca though it seems all the other products are viewable (but out of stock). I posted on RC in the Aquaforest forum to ask about when the other products will be available.
Picked it up today :mrgreen:
Hate the lid! Wish every salt manufacturer would do something similar to Salinity's bucket. I am crying inside for throwing away the bucket during my move :cry:
Was there a 10 mL bottle of NP Pro inside the bucket? I know there is one included in the buckets purchased in the US.
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/mhucasey/IMG_0929_zpslgjg8zjl.jpg
mrhasan
12-26-2015, 08:14 PM
Was there a 10 mL bottle of NP Pro inside the bucket? I know there is one included in the buckets purchased in the US.
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/mhucasey/IMG_0929_zpslgjg8zjl.jpg
Yap there was :mrgreen: Did you get yourself a bucket too? :D
Cool! No I haven't ordered it yet. I just want to use up the last 1/2 bucket of H2Ocean first. I'm hoping if I wait a bit that the other products might be available by then too :)
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dcw1sfu
12-27-2015, 05:11 AM
I just placed an order for the following items:
25kg reef salt
Pro bio S
Pro F
Components stong
And 5000g mineral salt
Will keep you posted when they arrive.
I'm going to order the Coral A, Coral B, Coral V and Coral E as well but I'll wait until I get these items first.
I went with the reef salt rather then the probiotic as I don't think the Probiotic salt would be good to keep pre-mixed in a brute can. And I've read of issues when performing larger volume water changes. I'll just add my own probiotics directly to the tank which I'm sure is the same products they add to their salt.
Going to transition off of my all in one biopellets to this system as I'm finding the pellets are being a little to aggressive in stripping my water no matter how much I feed.
I went with the reef salt rather then the probiotic as I don't think the Probiotic salt would be good to keep pre-mixed in a brute can. And I've read of issues when performing larger volume water changes. I'll just add my own probiotics directly to the tank which I'm sure is the same products they add to their salt.
I do very large water changes 3-4 times per year around 50-75%. I asked on RC in the Aquaforest forum about doing this with the Probiotic Reef Salt, and if I should use the Reef Salt instead, and they just insisted that they do not recommend large water changes. :lol: Also, yeah you can't keep any type of probiotic salt mixing in a tub. I'm looking forward to eliminating a pre-mix tub. :)
Aquaforest also recommends use of such products like 15mm Siporax, which when used in a reactor with slow flow, you will create an anaerobic zone for your tank (like a controlled DSB). Some people use SeaChem Matrix, but lab tests by RC member "reefvet" concluded that Siporax was much more efficient. It's the same idea as MarinePure and Matrix, but apparently this Siporax stuff is easier to keep clean and more efficient at denitrification, and also provide a medium for PO4/NO3 reducing bacteria. I'm going to put mine into a PhosBan reactor.
For anyone looking, I was not able to find Siporax available anywhere in Canada. I found the cheapest (with shipping) overseas supply was eBay seller wttomy1 from Austria. I ordered 2L, and it was €6.90 per 1L Siporax, and about €20.00 for shipping. It worked out to CAD$52.41 on my CC in mid-October.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Sera-08472-Siporax-15mm-Biofiltermedium-/361444658160?hash=item5427c7cbf0:m:mHS_wnLTXR9yZBP EIUA76rQ
This is supposedly the most efficient way to use them (all lined up in a reactor).
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/hamed_ghahrodi/Caspian%20Reef/89B9FC9B-BF4B-49FD-8150-C9E81D996515_1.jpg
Some people just dump them into a container in the sump.
http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj567/Manochio2/IMG_2312.jpg
A closeup.
http://www.indohobby.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/e/sera_siporax_structure_1.jpg
Proteus
12-27-2015, 04:27 PM
I did this same thing with hydroton, grew lots of fauna inside
dcw1sfu
01-06-2016, 05:52 AM
Received my bucket of Aquaforest reef salt today. Should be receiving the rest of the products in the next week or two as well as Siporax.
Did a small 5 gallon water change to test parameters and overall I was impressed. It mixed clean and clear in a matter of minutes and all parameters were very close to the ones on the quality control sheet. Overall seems like a high quality salt and perfect for carbon dosing. Obviously to early to tell if it will have positive effects on my tank.
Parameters at 1.026 salinity all tested with Salifert
Calcium 415
Magnesium 1320
Alk 7.4dkh
Potassium 400
A picture of the quality control test results is posted below.
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o619/dcw1sfu/2016-01-05%2020.45.37.jpg
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o619/dcw1sfu/20160105_192455.jpg
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o619/dcw1sfu/20160105_192515.jpg
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o619/dcw1sfu/20160105_193235.jpg
xenon
01-06-2016, 01:21 PM
I recently purchased a bucket of their reef salt. I wanted to see where cal/alk/mag would be after mixing it.
We currently use Tropic Marin Pro Reef in-store because its low in alkalinity. All other salt brands we offer are high in alk and my SPS don't like it.
What readings are you guys getting for the big 3 after mixing it up?
Also, I run 3L of Siporax in a Vertex zeo reactor. Its only been a little over a month since I put it online so it might take a while to seed bacteria to get real results.
What readings are you guys getting for the big 3 after mixing it up?
Everyone has been reporting as dcw1sfu posted above - really close to the quality control sheets.
xenon
01-06-2016, 02:36 PM
Everyone has been reporting as dcw1sfu posted above - really close to the quality control sheets.
Excellent.
If so, this will be the salt we use in-store from now on.
spedly
01-06-2016, 05:05 PM
I picked up my order of their reef salt from the post office last night. I'm looking forward to giving it a try. My tank doesn't have high requirements yet but I did like the value. Instant Ocean is more expensive at the LFS than this stuff was shipped through Amazon.
mrhasan
01-06-2016, 08:17 PM
Am I the only one who bought the probiotic salt :cry:
dcw1sfu
01-06-2016, 08:24 PM
Am I the only one who bought the probiotic salt :cry:
I'm thinking of maybe picking up a bucket of this as well for smaller water changes. But I'm going to see how the system reacts to the reef salt pro bio s and bio f and the removal of biopellets. Don't want to much of a shock.
dcw1sfu
01-06-2016, 08:25 PM
And by the way pro bio s smells way worse then zeo bak. The box must of had some on it and my entire garage smells with it sitting In the garbage. Smells like a waste treatment plant rather then a salt mixing station.
It's a good thing they state that it's not for human consumption on the box because it smells real appetizing...
Reef-Geek
01-07-2016, 04:31 PM
Amazon has the reef salt (25KG Box) in stock now, only 4 left, act fast.
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0168K0EXS?keywords=reef%20salt&qid=1452187801&ref_=sr_1_5&sr=8-5
gmann
01-07-2016, 04:42 PM
Thank you very much shingo, just ordered 2
Reef-Geek
01-07-2016, 05:11 PM
Apparently this thread is way off topic and become a discussion of Aquaforest salts(Sorry Myka), I came across this review online, just in case anyone is interested.
http://reefhub.pl/test-soli-drugie-starcie
There is a google translate button on the top right.
Shingo, I think that link was posted earlier in this thread, but thanks for sharing! :)
I just heard word that Salty Supply shipped a bunch of Aquaforest products (I believe more than just the salt) to Amazon.ca, so get your little clicker fingers ready! :D
Reefer Rob
01-08-2016, 07:05 PM
Received a bucket of Reef Salt today. Is that smell the Bio S sample? Not sure I want to bring it in the house!
I'll likely transfer the salt to an easier to open container. I'd rather not tear my finger nails off opening this one.
Animal-Chin
01-08-2016, 10:08 PM
huh, interesting thread. Can't wait to see what everyone thinks of these products once they used them a while. That probiotic salt seems kinda cool...
dcw1sfu
01-08-2016, 11:44 PM
Received a bucket of Reef Salt today. Is that smell the Bio S sample? Not sure I want to bring it in the house!
I'll likely transfer the salt to an easier to open container. I'd rather not tear my finger nails off opening this one.
Yes it's the bio s sample the box itself stinks. The bottle is fine I gave it a wipe down though prior to putting it in the fridge and made sure the box didnt enter the house.
:lol: Is it really that bad guys? What kind of stink? I didn't realize there was a sample in the Reef Salt too. The probiotic salt has an NP Pro sample, I'm not sure if that stinks too.
Jordon
01-09-2016, 02:48 AM
Can this method be used in a skimmerless system?
Minus the zeolite stones of course. I've never looked into probiotics in a reef before, sorry if this sounds noobish.
mrhasan
01-09-2016, 03:30 AM
:lol: Is it really that bad guys? What kind of stink? I didn't realize there was a sample in the Reef Salt too. The probiotic salt has an NP Pro sample, I'm not sure if that stinks too.
No smell from NP Pro. Its just liquid polymar so shouldn't smell bad (or else I would have been very concerned :razz:).
Received a bucket of Reef Salt today. Is that smell the Bio S sample? Not sure I want to bring it in the house!
I'll likely transfer the salt to an easier to open container. I'd rather not tear my finger nails off opening this one.
Probiotic bacteria should stinks bad. I remember zeo-bac smell like rotten eggs.
Can this method be used in a skimmerless system?
Minus the zeolite stones of course. I've never looked into probiotics in a reef before, sorry if this sounds noobish.
Unlike the natural nitrifying bacteria (which converts nitrate to N2 gas which escapes from the gas in form of bubbles), probiotic bacteria strains consumes the nitrate (and phosphate too I guess). These bacteria strains needs to be skimmed out (only a small percent is consumed by corals) by a skimmer in order to remove the nutrients from the tank. As a result, all probiotic methods need highly efficient skimmers.
Jordon
01-09-2016, 03:37 AM
Unlike the natural nitrifying bacteria (which converts nitrate to N2 gas which escapes from the gas in form of bubbles), probiotic bacteria strains consumes the nitrate (and phosphate too I guess). These bacteria strains needs to be skimmed out (only a small percent is consumed by corals) by a skimmer in order to remove the nutrients from the tank. As a result, all probiotic methods need highly efficient skimmers.
I was kind of thinking that, but thanks for clarifying. Maybe something to try down the road when I have outgrown my current nano.
spedly
01-09-2016, 04:23 AM
I didn't know that there was going to be a little vial of stuff to dose with this salt. I didn't take the pails straight into the house and instead left them in the garage for a couple of days. If it froze it thawed out very quickly but I don't know if I had an impact on the contents. Having said that I don't understand the benefit of dosing nitrifying bacteria if my ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate parameters are all 0. That would indicate to me that I already have enough.
mrhasan
01-09-2016, 04:45 AM
I didn't know that there was going to be a little vial of stuff to dose with this salt. I didn't take the pails straight into the house and instead left them in the garage for a couple of days. If it froze it thawed out very quickly but I don't know if I had an impact on the contents. Having said that I don't understand the benefit of dosing nitrifying bacteria if my ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate parameters are all 0. That would indicate to me that I already have enough.
You don't need to dose those freebies. Its just a way of poking the consumer, asking them to use it. Just a marketing scheme :razz:
If you levels are all in check and you and the tank inhabitants are happy, using probiotics will just be another unnecessary headache for you to have. Probiotics works, natural filtration works and there are many other methods that works; you just have to choose whichever works best for you and your tank :smile:
That particular freebie, BioS, is not probiotic bacteria, it is nitrifying bacteria and would be good to use for someone that's just starting their tank. The NP Pro that comes with the probiotic salt is not nitrifying bacteria, it is probiotic bacteria (the same that feeds off biopellets) which lower nitrate and phosphate.
Instant Ocean often has a tshirt in the bucket. That doesn't mean you have to wear it. :)
Reefer Rob
01-09-2016, 11:21 PM
That particular freebie, BioS, is not probiotic bacteria, it is nitrifying bacteria and would be good to use for someone that's just starting their tank. The NP Pro that comes with the probiotic salt is not nitrifying bacteria, it is probiotic bacteria (the same that feeds off biopellets) which lower nitrate and phosphate.
Even though I run a natural system, I was going to try the sample, but now I'm not so sure. Perhaps it's not something I want to get my tank addicted to. Reverting to natural strains of bacteria might cause a problem when the sample runs out.
dcw1sfu
01-09-2016, 11:28 PM
That particular freebie, BioS, is not probiotic bacteria, it is nitrifying bacteria and would be good to use for someone that's just starting their tank. The NP Pro that comes with the probiotic salt is not nitrifying bacteria, it is probiotic bacteria (the same that feeds off biopellets) which lower nitrate and phosphate.
Instant Ocean often has a tshirt in the bucket. That doesn't mean you have to wear it. :)
Myka it's Pro Bio S in the bucket not Bio S so it's probiotic bacteria. Also NP pro is not a bacteria it's a carbon source so you would need to use Pro Bio S in conjuction with it. NP Pro is a different carbon source then their original product Pro F and apparently stronger. I ordered Pro F to use with Pro Bio S but may eventually switch to NP pro.
Myka it's Pro Bio S in the bucket not Bio S so it's probiotic bacteria. Also NP pro is not a bacteria it's a carbon source so you would need to use Pro Bio S in conjuction with it. NP Pro is a different carbon source then their original product Pro F and apparently stronger. I ordered Pro F to use with Pro Bio S but may eventually switch to NP pro.
Oops. I got them mixed up. Thanks for clarifying.
gmann
01-20-2016, 03:27 AM
i just opened my box, no freebie for me....
must be just in the buckets
dcw1sfu
01-20-2016, 04:04 AM
I've been seeding my siporax with the Pro Bio S and have done a few water changes with the Aquaforest reef salt and the corals seem to be responding well.
I've also just received these Aquaforest products which I began dosing and putting online yesterday:
Coral A
Coral B
Coral E
Coral V
Coral food
Reef mineral salt
I'm still waiting for the NP PRO and component strong which are due to arrive by the end of the week.
mrhasan
01-20-2016, 04:24 AM
i just opened my box, no freebie for me....
must be just in the buckets
They probably include those freebies only with the buckets as an apology for the struggle that you have to go through every time you try to open the lid. First world reefing problem but I simply can't get over this! :twised:
dcw1sfu
01-20-2016, 04:25 AM
They probably include those freebies only with the buckets as an apology for the struggle that you have to go through every time you try to open the lid. First world reefing problem but I simply can't get over this! :twised:
I swapped mine into an instant ocean bucket right away.
gmann
01-20-2016, 05:23 AM
i didn get instructions on the bag, is is still half cup per gallon?
dcw1sfu
01-20-2016, 05:28 AM
i didn get instructions on the bag, is is still half cup per gallon?
There should be a measuring cup provided with a 5 liter and 10 liter marking but to be more accurate it's roughly 160grams per 1 gallon to reach 1.026
So roughly 800 grams per 5 gallon bucket.
gmann
01-20-2016, 05:33 AM
i didn't get it either. cheaped out and got the 25 kg bucket.
thanks dcw1sfu
dcw1sfu
01-20-2016, 05:34 AM
i didn't get it either. cheaped out and got the 25 kg bucket.
thanks dcw1sfu
Best thing to do is buy a cheap kitchen scale that's what I use the measuring cups not quite as accurate. Just use a refractometer to confirm salinity.
The Probiotic Reef Salt is back in stock on Amazon.ca - I ordered a bucket. :)
mseepman
01-20-2016, 02:45 PM
Got my boxes of the reef salt but haven't opened them yet
Reefer Rob
01-21-2016, 02:20 AM
Received my bucket of Aquaforest reef salt today. Should be receiving the rest of the products in the next week or two as well as Siporax.
Did a small 5 gallon water change to test parameters and overall I was impressed. It mixed clean and clear in a matter of minutes and all parameters were very close to the ones on the quality control sheet. Overall seems like a high quality salt and perfect for carbon dosing. Obviously to early to tell if it will have positive effects on my tank.
Parameters at 1.026 salinity all tested with Salifert
Calcium 415
Magnesium 1320
Alk 7.4dkh
Potassium 400
Did you blend the salt before mixing? I have the same batch number and I'm getting the following readings at 35ppt:
Ca 420
Mg 1410 (new kit)
kH 6.7 (tested against the standard solution)
K 360
I may have purchased an old (but not expired) potassium test kit and it seems it could be reading low. This could be a problem since I've been dosing K to try to bring the level up to 400.
I've always thought that stratification was a myth, but perhaps not. I'm going to blend the salt before my next water change and see what happens.
Reefer Rob
01-21-2016, 03:23 AM
Looking around I see that Salifert has discontinued the potassium test kit, presumably there was/is issues. All the other brands are a royal PITA. I think I'm done with potassium testing and dosing.
Wheelman76
01-21-2016, 05:07 AM
Looking around I see that Salifert has discontinued the potassium test kit, presumably there was/is issues. All the other brands are a royal PITA. I think I'm done with potassium testing and dosing.
It's not discontinued , apparently Salifert had some problems sourcing one of the chemicals used in their Potassium kits , so rather than continue to sell them using an inferior product , they temporarily stopped production. Rumour has it they will be back on the market soon which is great news , because as you said all the other brands are a PITA , and the Salifert K kit was the best in the market.
dcw1sfu
01-21-2016, 07:24 PM
Did you blend the salt before mixing? I have the same batch number and I'm getting the following readings at 35ppt:
Ca 420
Mg 1410 (new kit)
kH 6.7 (tested against the standard solution)
K 360
I may have purchased an old (but not expired) potassium test kit and it seems it could be reading low. This could be a problem since I've been dosing K to try to bring the level up to 400.
I've always thought that stratification was a myth, but perhaps not. I'm going to blend the salt before my next water change and see what happens.
I did mix the salt really well between two buckets prior to making the water i tested as I transfered it to an old instant ocean pale. I then make up the 5 gallons and tested the water after 20 mins mixing.
Who knows.
vanreefer
01-29-2016, 10:22 PM
Hi
Anyone know of any Canadian source for probio f or np pro? Amazon.ca doesn't have np pro and they have listed the probio f as unsure if it will be restocked... Got everything else I need from Amazon.
Cheers
xenon
01-29-2016, 10:37 PM
I heard the official AquaForrest Canadian distributor will be located in Toronto very soon. (10min drive from our door)
:)
I heard the official AquaForrest Canadian distributor will be located in Toronto very soon. (10min drive from our door)
:)
I heard the same thing. Hopefully they can provide the products for similar pricing as Amazon.
dcw1sfu
01-29-2016, 11:39 PM
Hi
Anyone know of any Canadian source for probio f or np pro? Amazon.ca doesn't have np pro and they have listed the probio f as unsure if it will be restocked... Got everything else I need from Amazon.
Cheers
I just picked up 2 bottles of the NP Pro as well as component strong from salty supply and got it delivered to my PO BOX across the line. They do however also ship to Canada.
vanreefer
01-30-2016, 01:46 PM
I just picked up 2 bottles of the NP Pro as well as component strong from salty supply and got it delivered to my PO BOX across the line. They do however also ship to Canada.
Thanks...was trying to avoid paying in USD... Exchange is rough atm... Should have posted sooner we could have split shipping costs.i also have s box in Blaine may have to go that route
Wondering how long it will be until we see a Canadian distributor...
Cheers
Bill@IA
01-30-2016, 01:59 PM
I heard the same thing. Hopefully they can provide the products for similar pricing as Amazon.
We'll hope for the best but Amazon's shipping rates are tough to beat, on heavy boxes and pails of salt.
xenon
01-30-2016, 02:22 PM
The guys selling on Amazon are making very small margins.
I doubt we will be able to match them.
Proteus
01-30-2016, 03:14 PM
The guys selling on Amazon are making very small margins.
I doubt we will be able to match them.
Amazon stocks are falling. We see how long the margin difference last
The guys selling on Amazon are making very small margins.
I doubt we will be able to match them.
We'll hope for the best but Amazon's shipping rates are tough to beat, on heavy boxes and pails of salt.
Well, Amazon makes enough money to justify a $4 BILLION deficit in shipping costs every year. ;)
http://www.statista.com/topics/846/amazon/
There is no way you guys can compete with that. If our Canadian distributor has any sense, he'll make a deal with Aquaforest that requires Aquaforest to end their relationship with Amazon.ca. Why would vendors push a product that has established pricing that he can't compete with? :)
Bill@IA
01-30-2016, 05:46 PM
Well, Amazon makes enough money to justify a $4 BILLION deficit in shipping costs every year. ;)
http://www.statista.com/topics/846/amazon/
There is no way you guys can compete with that. If our Canadian distributor has any sense, he'll make a deal with Aquaforest that requires Aquaforest to end their relationship with Amazon.ca. Why would vendors push a product that has established pricing that he can't compete with? :)
I know for a fact Aquaforest is not going to end that relationship.
vanreefer
01-30-2016, 05:47 PM
We'll hope for the best but Amazon's shipping rates are tough to beat, on heavy boxes and pails of salt.
The guys selling on Amazon are making very small margins.
I doubt we will be able to match them.
Sounds like u guys may be stocking these products?? Any ideas on timeline for them to be available?
Thanks
Proteus
01-30-2016, 05:57 PM
I know for a fact Aquaforest is not going to end that relationship.
Would have to garentee a minimum volume of sales for them to even consider
I know for a fact Aquaforest is not going to end that relationship.
Aquaforest is shooting themselves in the foot then. The only Aquaforest sales you vendors are going to get is from people that don't know they can get it cheaper on Amazon.ca and/or people that are willing to pay more to support to support you.
I'm wondering from a business perspective, why would you want to promote a product that will always run the "risk" of someone discovering it on Amazon.ca and ditching out on you? Why not promote similar products like Fauna Marin, Zeovit, or Tropic Marin where all vendors are on an even playing field because those salts are not available for a stupid low price on Amazon.ca?? From a business perspective it makes more sense to promote products that you can a) get a good margin on, b) be competitive.
For these reasons, I think Aquaforest is shooting themselves in the foot by not ending the relationship with Amazon.ca (and Amazon.com) and relying Canadian (and US) reef distributors instead. You don't see other brands doing this - like Tunze, Ecotech, Apex, etc. I'm interested to see how it pans out in the next couple years for Aquaforest. However, I'd much rather support our Canadian retailers than Amazon. :)
Proteus
01-30-2016, 07:52 PM
If the salt goes to retailers it will double,and then some. Just like reefers best.
Then people stop buying it in favour of cheaper salts on the market. Stores then sit on stock that they have trouble selling and inturn no longer order it from aquaforest.
Seen it here in Edmonton. As reefers best hit $140 a box.
So how is aquaforest loosing out in the long run.
mrhasan
01-30-2016, 08:00 PM
Aquaforest is shooting themselves in the foot then. The only Aquaforest sales you vendors are going to get is from people that don't know they can get it cheaper on Amazon.ca and/or people that are willing to pay more to support to support you.
I'm wondering from a business perspective, why would you want to promote a product that will always run the "risk" of someone discovering it on Amazon.ca and ditching out on you? Why not promote similar products like Fauna Marin, Zeovit, or Tropic Marin where all vendors are on an even playing field because those salts are not available for a stupid low price on Amazon.ca?? From a business perspective it makes more sense to promote products that you can a) get a good margin on, b) be competitive.
For these reasons, I think Aquaforest is shooting themselves in the foot by not ending the relationship with Amazon.ca (and Amazon.com) and relying Canadian (and US) reef distributors instead. You don't see other brands doing this - like Tunze, Ecotech, Apex, etc. I'm interested to see how it pans out in the next couple years for Aquaforest. However, I'd much rather support our Canadian retailers than Amazon. :)
I think I can get the reason behind Aquaforest going through amazon. Amazon can move a large volume of their product and when a manufacturer is getting into a new market, a lower margin and a greater exposure to the new market sounds more reasonable than a larger margin and being competitive. No retailer can move as large of a volume that Amazon can due to reasons stated above already. And manufacturers love a secured volume of sale and although supporting local businesses is important for us, it means nothing to them since they are not from here. To them, the number of products sold matters and who sold it does not; and no retailer (well other than Walmart I guess but they are not in this business) can guarantee volume like Amazon can.
I am all for supporting local businesses and I am ready to take a damage of 10-20% if I get something locally instead of waiting for the thing to arrive at my door step (I have to pick up at the local delivery point anyways) but I can see the reason behind the market strategy of Aquaforest. And honestly, it is working really well for them. Even few months ago, no one was aware of this brand and look what happened when Amazon got them in stock :razz:
So how is aquaforest loosing out in the long run.
Because the number of hobbyists that are buying online is miniscule compared to the number of people walking in through LFS doors. We're all blind around here thinking that "everyone" shops online. They don't. It doesn't make sense to me for retailers to push the Aquaforest product, so Aquaforest relies on online marketing. They will be missing out on a huge number of hobbyists.
I don't know, maybe it's a good business model, we'll see how the cookie crumbles. :)
Proteus
01-30-2016, 08:30 PM
Because the number of hobbyists that are buying online is miniscule compared to the number of people walking in through LFS doors. We're all blind around here thinking that "everyone" shops online. They don't. It doesn't make sense to me for retailers to push the Aquaforest product, so Aquaforest relies on online marketing. They will be missing out on a huge number of hobbyists.
I don't know, maybe it's a good business model, we'll see how the cookie crumbles. :)
Saskatchewan may very well be different. But here in Edmonton more and more hobbiest are going online due to massive increases in prices in Edmonton.
The difference in a lfs in Edmonton compared to a online or lfs(online) in Ontario can be 250%.
I've seen lfs here raise prices 25% days before a sale, raise prices due to decrease in sales and to cover lost livestock.
While I understand the dollar has a big effect on rising prices. The few examples were prior to the collapsing dollar. Lfs here are literally pushing people to shop online
Bill@IA
01-31-2016, 12:23 AM
Aquaforest is shooting themselves in the foot then. The only Aquaforest sales you vendors are going to get is from people that don't know they can get it cheaper on Amazon.ca and/or people that are willing to pay more to support to support you.
I'm wondering from a business perspective, why would you want to promote a product that will always run the "risk" of someone discovering it on Amazon.ca and ditching out on you? Why not promote similar products like Fauna Marin, Zeovit, or Tropic Marin where all vendors are on an even playing field because those salts are not available for a stupid low price on Amazon.ca?? From a business perspective it makes more sense to promote products that you can a) get a good margin on, b) be competitive.
For these reasons, I think Aquaforest is shooting themselves in the foot by not ending the relationship with Amazon.ca (and Amazon.com) and relying Canadian (and US) reef distributors instead. You don't see other brands doing this - like Tunze, Ecotech, Apex, etc. I'm interested to see how it pans out in the next couple years for Aquaforest. However, I'd much rather support our Canadian retailers than Amazon. :)
There is no need for Canadian Vendors to worry what their customer will see Online as Canadian Vendors will easily have better Retail Pricing on AquaForest Salt than Amazon…they just won't be able to ship boxes or buckets of this salt to your door for the same total price you would pay if said customer ordered it through Amazon Prime.
In my opinion Amazon was a big bonus for AquaForest products. Amazon has created a bit of a demand for products that were never used before but now, for some reason, have hobbyists thinking they need Aquaforest Salt to succeed. Really??
The difference in a lfs in Edmonton compared to a online or lfs(online) in Ontario can be 250%.
That's crazy! Not here, nor at any of the shops I visited while in Ontario, nor BC.
Proteus
01-31-2016, 12:30 AM
That's crazy! Not here, nor at any of the shops I visited while in Ontario, nor BC.
I know hey!!
Lots of group buys happening lately. Though I would also be willing to bet that prices will be directed buy the population of hobbiest
Jakegr
02-03-2016, 09:19 PM
I read some reviews online and have decided to give Aquaforest Phosphate minus a try. It supposedly looks and performs similar to Rowaphos, but is less than half the price. I'll let everyone know how it goes! Only about $30 on Amazon for 1 L, vs. $68 for Rowaphos for the same amount.
Jordon
03-14-2016, 07:31 PM
For those of you who either tried out the AF or switched complete, what are your thoughts?
Also, where do you buy AF Amino Mix and AF Build in Canada? I can't see them on Amazon.ca
mrhasan
03-14-2016, 08:16 PM
For those of you who either tried out the AF or switched complete, what are your thoughts?
Also, where do you buy AF Amino Mix and AF Build in Canada? I can't see them on Amazon.ca
I only use the salt and one thing that is of extreme convenience is that I don't have to plan a day ahead to mix the water. Whenever I feel like changing water, I mix the salt for 15mins and all ready for the tank.
I just started the NP Pro Bio S today (only bottle I have so far). Yesterday I did a water change wih the last of my H2Ocean so it was 50/50 H2Ocean and Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt. We'll see how it goes...
On the other hand, the bucket arrived broken and was leaking some salt. Hopefully that doesn't affect the probiotic properties. I think i read that the probiotics aren't activated until they hit water though.
mrhasan
03-14-2016, 08:56 PM
I just started the NP Pro Bio S today (only bottle I have so far). Yesterday I did a water change wih the last of my H2Ocean so it was 50/50 H2Ocean and Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt. We'll see how it goes...
On the other hand, the bucket arrived broken and was leaking some salt. Hopefully that doesn't affect the probiotic properties. I think i read that the probiotics aren't activated until they hit water though.
Hi5! Mine arrived broken too. And got 10% discount from Amazon for that. If you bought it from Amazon, you should chat with them, easy discount :)
Yah the bacteria are in dormant state so shouldn't have any effect.
Did anyone get the little bottle of NP Pro in their bucket of salt? If you're not using it, I'd like to buy it from you! It's not available for sale on Amazon.ca yet. Please PM me!
mrhasan
03-29-2016, 05:49 PM
Did anyone get the little bottle of NP Pro in their bucket of salt? If you're not using it, I'd like to buy it from you! It's not available for sale on Amazon.ca yet. Please PM me!
I have one sitting and I can ship it off to you for free :)
I have one sitting and I can ship it off to you for free :)
Sweet! You got mail. :)
ReefGrrl
04-01-2016, 05:12 PM
I know for a fact Aquaforest is not going to end that relationship.
But Amazon's ecommerce platform is closing, supposedly in July 2016. They've been transitioning to Shopify, which if I understand it, works entirely differently. Anyone know if this is still happening? Here is one of the articles about it:
http:/http://smallbiztrends.com/2015/03/amazon-webstore-service-will-close.html/
WarDog
04-03-2016, 05:02 PM
Interested in trying this brand of salt, so i bit the bullet and ordered the mid range reef salt from Amazon. $78 all in. Im going to be very upset if the bucket is broken.
mrhasan
04-03-2016, 05:47 PM
Interested in trying this brand of salt, so i bit the bullet and ordered the mid range reef salt from Amazon. $78 all in. Im going to be very upset if the bucket is broken.
Well you better buy yourself beer, chocolate or whatever that will help you to overcome that :mrgreen:
Warren, prepare to be upset! ;)
fixerupper
04-03-2016, 06:48 PM
Yup
Mine came broken too. The bottom was split open.
Fortunately they use a relatively sturdy bag to contain the salt so there was nothing lost.
Good luck
WarDog
04-03-2016, 06:59 PM
Oh man.
mrhasan
04-03-2016, 07:56 PM
Oh man.
When it comes broken, just let amazon know and they will refund 10% :mrgreen:
WarDog
04-13-2016, 11:38 PM
Well you better buy yourself beer, chocolate or whatever that will help you to overcome that :mrgreen:
Warren, prepare to be upset! ;)
Yup
Mine came broken too. The bottom was split open.
Fortunately they use a relatively sturdy bag to contain the salt so there was nothing lost.
Good luck
WOOHOO! 10 days and delivered to my door! UNBROKEN!!! Looking forward to my next w/c.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1502/25811176914_f08c49dc83_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FjR2DC)
mrhasan
04-13-2016, 11:42 PM
WOOHOO! 10 days and delivered to my door! UNBROKEN!!! Looking forward to my next w/c.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1502/25811176914_f08c49dc83_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FjR2DC)
Lucky you! Now have fun opening that lid :biggrin:
gmann
04-14-2016, 01:51 AM
is it me, or did prices go up?
reef salt is now $76 for 25kg box, and 69 for 22kg bucket
pretty sure box used to be cheaper than bucket.
spedly
04-14-2016, 06:36 PM
I've ordered the reef salt from Amazon a couple of times and haven't had any broken buckets. Sounds like I've been lucky.
Fesso
04-16-2016, 10:58 PM
I wish I had read this thread before trying to mix some salt in my bucket. It flooded out my closet!!!
GUess I'll try for the 10% discount!
On another note, does anyone know of a Canadian source for -NP-Pro yet?
Been using the Probiotic salt, Coral A,B,E,V and Pro Bio S for 6 weeks and I have totally noticed a difference in the tank. The corals are more colourful and my rocks have never looked so clean!
I am currently using a bit of vinegar instead of -NP-Pro as a carbon source for now... seems to work just fine!
NP Pro isn't available in Canada yet. You can buy off the Amazon.com website and have it shipped up though. Our dollar is a bit better these days so it isn't super terrible. I think a 50 mL bottle is about $40 all in. There is also a diluted 2L bottle that you can put on a dosing pump, but you pay USD$25 shipping on it.
spedly
05-01-2016, 11:55 PM
NP Pro isn't available in Canada yet. You can buy off the Amazon.com website and have it shipped up though. Our dollar is a bit better these days so it isn't super terrible. I think a 50 mL bottle is about $40 all in. There is also a diluted 2L bottle that you can put on a dosing pump, but you pay USD$25 shipping on it.
I was looking at this today. The description on Amazon didn't indicate that the 2L bottle was diluted but I trust your experience. :)
Etaloche
05-02-2016, 01:45 AM
Went for a bucket of the probiotic salt and did my first wc with it yesterday and also dosed the tank with biokit from prodibio. Hoping for good results. My bucket came unbroken which was nice.
spedly
05-08-2016, 11:11 PM
For anyone that is interested the Amazon.com shipping costs have dropped for the 2000ml bottle of NP Pro. Last Sunday it was ~$25. Today it's ~$15. Had to pull the trigger.
I really like Aquaforest products. I don't have a point of reference to compare it to other than "no dosing at all" but in the past few days that I've been using ProbioticS there is a marked difference in the the beauty of my tank.
I was looking at this today. The description on Amazon didn't indicate that the 2L bottle was diluted but I trust your experience. :)
I emailed them to ask about it,and that's what they told me. Since then I've noticed a couple tanks on RC using the 2L version on a doser.
For anyone that is interested the Amazon.com shipping costs have dropped for the 2000ml bottle of NP Pro. Last Sunday it was ~$25. Today it's ~$15. Had to pull the trigger.
I really like Aquaforest products. I don't have a point of reference to compare it to other than "no dosing at all" but in the past few days that I've been using ProbioticS there is a marked difference in the the beauty of my tank.
Nice score! Thanks for the alert!
Edit: 2L bottle is USD$22.99 now...already jumped back up.
intarsiabox
05-09-2016, 10:59 PM
Just received my bucket of reef salt today, ordered on Wednesday night and showed up already with the pail in one piece. I'm down to my last 2 cups of RC so I'll soon see if this salt is just as good. It's already cheaper than RC and it shows up on my door step so two pluses already. No free bottle of anything though.
Just received my bucket of reef salt today, ordered on Wednesday night and showed up already with the pail in one piece. I'm down to my last 2 cups of RC so I'll soon see if this salt is just as good. It's already cheaper than RC and it shows up on my door step so two pluses already. No free bottle of anything though.
Just make note that the Ca/Alk/Mg level is NSW values (410/7.0/1250), so if you keep elevated alk for LPS, then you'll want to boost it up.
intarsiabox
05-10-2016, 02:14 AM
Just make note that the Ca/Alk/Mg level is NSW values (410/7.0/1250), so if you keep elevated alk for LPS, then you'll want to boost it up.
Thanks, I'll measure to see what I get on the first batch. The certificate I got says this batch comes out to 430/8.0/1380.
spedly
05-10-2016, 02:37 PM
Just received my bucket of reef salt today, ordered on Wednesday night and showed up already with the pail in one piece. I'm down to my last 2 cups of RC so I'll soon see if this salt is just as good. It's already cheaper than RC and it shows up on my door step so two pluses already. No free bottle of anything though.
The price is great and having delivered to my door is terrific. Very disruptive to the LFS who continues to resist competing at a national level.
Fesso
05-10-2016, 03:59 PM
The price is great and having delivered to my door is terrific. Very disruptive to the LFS who continues to resist competing at a national level.
No kidding right. As much as I like to support my LFSs I love having that big heavy bucket brought to my door for free!
I filed a complaint to Amazon about my broken bucket a few weeks ago but have not heard anything.... oh well, it was worth a shot.
rburns24
05-10-2016, 11:16 PM
No kidding right. As much as I like to support my LFSs I love having that big heavy bucket brought to my door for free!
I filed a complaint to Amazon about my broken bucket a few weeks ago but have not heard anything.... oh well, it was worth a shot.
-
The last salt(22 kg.) i got from Amazon.ca came in a bag delivered in a box.
I think that's the method they've switched to.
-
intarsiabox
05-10-2016, 11:21 PM
-
The last salt(22 kg.) i got from Amazon.ca came in a bag delivered in a box.
I think that's the method they've switched to.
-
Mine showed up yesterday in a pail. Maybe you got lucky and they shipped you the 25kg box by accident?
rburns24
05-10-2016, 11:50 PM
-
I just checked my last order, and it was the box I ordered. I guess my thoughts about them
shipping salt in bags and boxes is just wishful thinking.
-
intarsiabox
05-11-2016, 12:28 AM
-
I just checked my last order, and it was the box I ordered. I guess my thoughts about them
shipping salt in bags and boxes is just wishful thinking.
-
My salt did come bagged inside of the bucket but I think I'm going to put it in my own pail anyway. I have one with a rubber gasket in the lid and I'm not sure how well the AF buckets actually seal once the bag is opened. Next time around if I like the salt I'm going with the box.
rburns24
05-11-2016, 01:53 AM
My salt did come bagged inside of the bucket but I think I'm going to put it in my own pail anyway. I have one with a rubber gasket in the lid and I'm not sure how well the AF buckets actually seal once the bag is opened. Next time around if I like the salt I'm going with the box.
-
I use a old(Instant Ocean) bucket with a rubber gasket as well. Gives a nice tight seal.
-
spedly
05-11-2016, 02:02 AM
I emailed them to ask about it,and that's what they told me. Since then I've noticed a couple tanks on RC using the 2L version on a doser.
Well they weren't lying to you. The jug showed up today - which blew my mind considering I ordered it two days ago. There was no box, no instructions - just a small jug. I checked out the web site and sure enough, it's meant for a dosing I don't have one so I found an unused syringe for dosing. Not a big deal. I guess we'll see how well this stuff works in conjunction with ProBioticS.
Well they weren't lying to you. The jug showed up today - which blew my mind considering I ordered it two days ago. There was no box, no instructions - just a small jug. I checked out the web site and sure enough, it's meant for a dosing I don't have one so I found an unused syringe for dosing. Not a big deal. I guess we'll see how well this stuff works in conjunction with ProBioticS.
Hehe, nothing on the jug about dosing? The Component 1+2+3+ have instructions written on the jugs, but no instructions on paper are supplied.
spedly
05-11-2016, 11:54 PM
Hehe, nothing on the jug about dosing? The Component 1+2+3+ have instructions written on the jugs, but no instructions on paper are supplied.
Nope. Nothing at all on the jug. Oh well I'm glad I found some instructions on the web site.
Are you dosing ProBioS and NP Pro daily, Myka? I thought I read somewhere that if you're dosing NP Pro that you only need to dose ProBioS for two weeks and then NP Pro will sustain the bacteria going forward.
spedly
05-22-2016, 04:14 PM
Anyone using Aquaforest Reef Salt ever measure calcium of fresh salt water? I just received a Hanna checker for calcium the other day and this morning I decided to measure it - it came out to 474. Is that consistent with other people's measurements?
gmann
05-22-2016, 04:16 PM
420 my last check
mrhasan
05-22-2016, 05:04 PM
Mine was something between 420-440. Cant remember precisely.
Anyone using Aquaforest Reef Salt ever measure calcium of fresh salt water? I just received a Hanna checker for calcium the other day and this morning I decided to measure it - it came out to 474. Is that consistent with other people's measurements?
I don't like the Hanna Calcium checker -it always reads about 50 ppm higher than Salifert and Elos when I used it.
spedly
05-23-2016, 03:47 AM
I don't like the Hanna Calcium checker -it always reads about 50 ppm higher than Salifert and Elos when I used it.
*grumble*
Really? I was using a Red Sea test kit and it was waaaay off. I was measuring ~360 in my display so I started dosing kalk to bring it up. I could never get it higher than 380 - which I thought was weird. I tested the display yesterday and it was around 490 which was when I realized my Red Sea kit was out to lunch. I was expecting the Hanna checker to be a silver bullet.
spedly
05-23-2016, 04:05 AM
Doh! I think I've been messing up on my testing procedures. I'll perform another test tomorrow and see what comes out of it.
spedly
05-23-2016, 05:45 PM
So I properly tested some salt mix I made yesterday and it tested 353. This is more aligned with the test results I've been getting all along but certainly different than the results others are getting. Might be time to try a different salt mix.
If you're getting 353 ppm calcium in freshly mixed Aquaforest salt then I think you're making errors testing or maybe your refractometer isn't calibrated and the specific gravity is a lot lower than you think it is.
spedly
05-23-2016, 05:57 PM
If you're getting 353 ppm calcium in freshly mixed Aquaforest salt then I think you're making errors testing or maybe your refractometer isn't calibrated and the specific gravity is a lot lower than you think it is.
So maybe fresh isn't the right word. I got the salt mix going two days ago and performed a water change yesterday. Salinity was measured at around 1.025. After the water change I turned off the mixing pump and heater so what I measured today was what was left at the bottom of the container.
I have a Vertex refractometer and ensure it's calibrated before every measurement. Do they have a limited lifespan? This one is about two years old.
You're right though something is weird. I thought that my old Red Sea test kit was garbage because of the low measurements. I've watched and re-watched YouTube videos on how to use the Hanna checker and I think I'm doing it right now. I'll watch it one more time....
I'm a little more concerned now that the Hanna checker is basically confirming things.
I have a Vertex refractometer and ensure it's calibrated before every measurement. Do they have a limited lifespan? This one is about two years old.
You calibrate it every time before you use it? That's a bit excessive. If you're just using it on one or two tanks, and it's not traveling around anywhere getting bumped around or exposed to significant temperature changes, then once every 2-3 months should be sufficient. How are you calibrating?
Skimmer Juice
05-23-2016, 06:10 PM
So maybe fresh isn't the right word. I got the salt mix going two days ago and performed a water change yesterday. Salinity was measured at around 1.025. After the water change I turned off the mixing pump and heater so what I measured today was what was left at the bottom of the container.
I have a Vertex refractometer and ensure it's calibrated before every measurement. Do they have a limited lifespan? This one is about two years old.
You're right though something is weird. I thought that my old Red Sea test kit was garbage because of the low measurements. I've watched and re-watched YouTube videos on how to use the Hanna checker and I think I'm doing it right now. I'll watch it one more time....
I'm a little more concerned now that the Hanna checker is basically confirming things.
would recommend bringing your refractometer to a lfs and just cross check numbers, also get them to test with different test kit that should solve any issues. Also what are you calibrating your refractometer with? Solution or rodi ? I found my hanna calcium test kit super inconsistent so I went back to test kits recently started using Nyos test kits really liking how easy the numbers are to calculate with no color matching .
spedly
05-23-2016, 06:16 PM
I think my RO filters need replacing. Just ordered replacements from Reef Supplies and will re-test.
I have been using RODI for calibration but I think I have solution somewhere. And good advice about the refractometer - I'll take it to the LFS and see what they say.
spedly
05-23-2016, 06:31 PM
Wow...
So I did find an unused container of Pinpoint salinity calibration fluid. I used that to calibrate my refractometer and then checked the salinity of my display and fresh salt mix. Wow is it ever off. I'm measuring only about 1.021 salinity. That would explain why my calcium measurements are so off. Thanks for the tip Skimmer Juice.
Wow...
So I did find an unused container of Pinpoint salinity calibration fluid. I used that to calibrate my refractometer and then checked the salinity of my display and fresh salt mix. Wow is it ever off. I'm measuring only about 1.021 salinity. That would explain why my calcium measurements are so off. Thanks for the tip Skimmer Juice.
That's exactly what I was getting at when I asked how you were calibrating. ;) I'm glad you found the issue.
Also, if your RO/DI isn't perfect, using it for the Hanna Calcium Checker will throw those numbers off too. I recommend using distilled water in the Calcium Checker.
mrhasan
05-23-2016, 06:59 PM
That's exactly what I was getting at when I asked how you were calibrating. ;) I'm glad you found the issue.
Also, if your RO/DI isn't perfect, using it for the Hanna Calcium Checker will throw those numbers off too. I recommend using distilled water in the Calcium Checker.
Finger prints on the vials can throw off the numbers too. I used to handle those vials using napkins :razz:
Finger prints on the vials can throw off the numbers too. I used to handle those vials using napkins :razz:
Yes, so can using different sides of the vials (quartz thickness isn't always even). I always polish up the vials, and line them up in the checker the same direction every time. When I handle them to add reagents I don't touch anything except the lid and then the very bottom 1/2" of the vial (the test is taken about 1/3 of the way down the vial). They are fussy little things, but if used carefully they are very accurate. The Calcium Checker requires much more care to use properly. It's VERY easy to mess up that one. The alkalinity and phosphate/phosporus checkers are much more forgiving. I use them all the time, but the calcium one collects dust in my cabinet. :lol:
mrhasan
05-23-2016, 08:17 PM
Yes, so can using different sides of the vials (quartz thickness isn't always even). I always polish up the vials, and line them up in the checker the same direction every time. When I handle them to add reagents I don't touch anything except the lid and then the very bottom 1/2" of the vial (the test is taken about 1/3 of the way down the vial). They are fussy little things, but if used carefully they are very accurate. The Calcium Checker requires much more care to use properly. It's VERY easy to mess up that one. The alkalinity and phosphate/phosporus checkers are much more forgiving. I use them all the time, but the calcium one collects dust in my cabinet. :lol:
Damn those calorimeter! :twised:
Slick Fork
05-27-2016, 12:48 AM
So people seem happy with this? Just read the whole thread and other than some broken boxes I don't see a whole lot of complaining. I'm used to using RBS but the price difference is now hard to swallow.
Thoughts on the differences between the probiotic and "just" the reef salt? Is the probiotic simply reef salt with some bacterial additive?
WarDog
05-27-2016, 01:58 AM
So people seem happy with this?
I'm loving it so far.
Forgot to post my mixed parameters of the reef salt.
Alk : 7.3
Ca : 435
Mg: 1230
@ 1.025 and 78 degrees
Galizio
05-27-2016, 03:12 AM
Does anyone use component +1,+2 & +3? I will like to know more about this product and some experience.
Thanks
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Thoughts on the differences between the probiotic and "just" the reef salt? Is the probiotic simply reef salt with some bacterial additive?
There are also vitamins and aminos too. I used one bucket of probiotic and now trying out a bucket of regular reef salt.
Does anyone use component +1,+2 & +3? I will like to know more about this product and some experience.
Thanks
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm using Component 1+2+3+. What do you need to know?
Galizio
05-27-2016, 04:47 AM
There are also vitamins and aminos too. I used one bucket of probiotic and now trying out a bucket of regular reef salt.
I'm using Component 1+2+3+. What do you need to know?
I'm currently using tlf c balance,I'll like to know if this product is similar and what are the dosage recommended when all the parameter are in check. I read about that all 3 have to be dosed daily at the same ratio,kinda like c-balance, but for example c balance say to start with 5 ml every 20g, I don't seem to find any instruction online about this product.
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Galizio
05-27-2016, 05:45 AM
Actually I just found the instruction on the aqua forest web site, I may actually give it a try.
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I'm currently using tlf c balance,I'll like to know if this product is similar and what are the dosage recommended when all the parameter are in check. I read about that all 3 have to be dosed daily at the same ratio,kinda like c-balance, but for example c balance say to start with 5 ml every 20g, I don't seem to find any instruction online about this product.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You have to find out how much alkalinity your tank uses in a day. If your demand isn't super high, then the easiest way is to test at say 8 am one day, skip all dosing that day, then test again at 8 am the next day. If your tank is high demand then you should calculate the amount using the concentration of the supplement you're using.
Once you know that then you can calculate how much to use. There are instructions on the jugs. For the alkalinity jug,1.7 fl oz increases alkalinity by 1.3 DKH per 27 gallons of water.
They must be used in exactly the same proportions because you can't buy each Component separate - they come in a 3-pack. For adjustment doses you must use a different product.
Galizio
05-27-2016, 02:51 PM
You have to find out how much alkalinity your tank uses in a day. If your demand isn't super high, then the easiest way is to test at say 8 am one day, skip all dosing that day, then test again at 8 am the next day. If your tank is high demand then you should calculate the amount using the concentration of the supplement you're using.
Once you know that then you can calculate how much to use. There are instructions on the jugs. For the alkalinity jug,1.7 fl oz increases alkalinity by 1.3 DKH per 27 gallons of water.
They must be used in exactly the same proportions because you can't buy each Component separate - they come in a 3-pack. For adjustment doses you must use a different product.
Thank you so much. Couple of question and I leave you alone , lol are you happy with this product? Do you use vessel or just use the product straight from the jars? Also will like to know dimensions of the jugs if dosing is possible from the jugs supplied.
Thanks
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Thank you so much. Couple of question and I leave you alone , lol are you happy with this product? Do you use vessel or just use the product straight from the jars? Also will like to know dimensions of the jugs if dosing is possible from the jugs supplied.
Thanks
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ask as much as you want! :) Yes, I like the Components. I've only been using them for about a month so far though. Interestingly, in my tank the big three are staying balanced in relation to each other via dosing equal amounts. I know some other people haven't had this experience and have had to do some supplemental dosing with other products to keep the big three in balance.
I was going to dose them directly from the jugs just by drilling a hole the size of rigid airline tubing, but I found a good deal on some Bubble Magus dosing containers, and that's what I'm using now.
Galizio
05-27-2016, 10:15 PM
Ask as much as you want! :) Yes, I like the Components. I've only been using them for about a month so far though. Interestingly, in my tank the big three are staying balanced in relation to each other via dosing equal amounts. I know some other people haven't had this experience and have had to do some supplemental dosing with other products to keep the big three in balance.
I was going to dose them directly from the jugs just by drilling a hole the size of rigid airline tubing, but I found a good deal on some Bubble Magus dosing containers, and that's what I'm using now.
Yes was reading the instructions on the web page and they recommend to get all the parameter in check then dosing the 3 components equals amount per day, really interesting product... I plan to do my new tank probiotic, do you dose any other elements or the 3 should be enough for everything?
Thanks for your help, I guess I'm going to order some on Amazon :-)
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Yes was reading the instructions on the web page and they recommend to get all the parameter in check then dosing the 3 components equals amount per day, really interesting product... I plan to do my new tank probiotic, do you dose any other elements or the 3 should be enough for everything?
Thanks for your help, I guess I'm going to order some on Amazon :-)
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For LPS and mixed reef tanks, I personally think you're better off just using the 3-part (either dry or liquid), and not much else. All the micros and foods are more geared towards high-demand SPS tanks imo. So it depends what you want from your tank, and where you currently are with it. I can help you pick the correct products.
You can do the Aquaforest Method in many ways, but here is the basic break down of the complete Aquaforest Method.
The probiotic part:
NP Pro (carbon source, like vinegar, vodka, biopellets, etc)
Pro Bio S (probiotic bacteria)
Zeo Mix (helps reduce nitrate by absorbing ammonia, good for ULNS)
Then the balling method which is 3-part dosing (macros) plus microelements.
There are 3 ways you can dose macros: Dry powders you mix yourself (Calcium, KH Buffer, Magnesium) OR liquid supplements (Ca Plus, KH Plus, Mg Plus) OR liquid all-in-one (Component 1+2+3+).
There are 4 ways to dose micros: Dose the 6 micro mixes separately for ultimate tweaking (Iodum, Fluorine, Strontium, Kalium, Iron, Micro E) OR liquid supplement (Component A,B,C) OR Components Strong and Reef Mineral Salt OR all-in-one Component 1+2+3+.
The most economical way to do the full balling method to buy the dry Ca, Alk, and Mg powders, and add the micros yourself.
The food part:
AF Amino Mix (formerly Coral A)
AF Build (formerly Coral B)
AF Vitality (formerly Coral V)
AF Energy
AF Power Food
Galizio
05-28-2016, 12:29 AM
Going to go mainly sps,
Before I make the switch will like to clean up all the others zeovit I got lol...
At the moment dosing c balance, some zeovit micro elements, strontium &potassium (brightwell) ascorbic acid, and for the probiotic part also use brightwell biofuel & mb7. Corals Food also zeovit.
If I think how much the zeovit cost+ c balance+ the probiotic part well the aqua forest can save me some money and time on dosing some of the macro that I'm doing manually everyday :-)
Was reading the thread and don't know if I'm going to go for the salt but the component 1-2-3 and the probiotic definitely are worth a try . Also was reading on the AF website to use siporax, may have to look into those also and the placement in the sump or reactor.
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was reading on the AF website to use siporax, may have to look into those also and the placement in the sump or reactor.
I have 2L of Siporax in my sump. I only have 28 lbs of live rock in my tank because I used branch rock, so I think the Siporax helps in my case. I'm not sure it is even beneficial in many cases.
dcw1sfu
05-28-2016, 02:57 AM
I've been using the AF products for about 4 months now and have been really happy with them.
I currently use the following AF products:
Probiotic Salt
Coral A
Coral B
Coral E
Coral V
Pro bio s
NP Pro
Carbon
Coral food
Phosphate minus (took it offline as not needed at the moment)
Component Strong
Mineral Salt
I use the component strong rather then their 1+ 2+ 3+ as its much cheaper to mix my own as my tank currently consumes at least 2dkh per day. Ends up being the same product in the end.
I also have 2 liters of Siporax in my sump (60 gallon total water volume)
I've been using the AF products for about 4 months now and have been really happy with them.
I currently use the following AF products:
Probiotic Salt
Coral A
Coral B
Coral E
Coral V
Pro bio s
NP Pro
Awesome! What's your dosing schedule?
Here's mine:
AcroPower 5 mL on even nights (just about empty, will switch to Coral A)
Coral V 3 drops on odd nights
Coral E 3 drops per night
Reef Chili (in place of Coral Food) 3 scoops pery night
Coral B (not using it, don't need it)
NP Pro (not using it, don't need it)
ProBio S 3 drops per night
Carbon (using Rox right now, 120 mL changed out monthly)
No GFO
2L Siporax
dcw1sfu
05-28-2016, 03:26 AM
Awesome! What's your dosing schedule?
Here's mine:
AcroPower 5 mL on even nights (just about empty, will switch to Coral A)
Coral V 3 drops on odd nights
Coral E 3 drops per night
Reef Chili (in place of Coral Food) 3 scoops pery night
Coral B (not using it, don't need it)
NP Pro (not using it, don't need it)
ProBio S 3 drops per night
Carbon (using Rox right now, 120 mL changed out monthly)
No GFO
2L Siporax
60 gallon water volume
Feed pellets twice a day and reef frenzy frozen once a day for heavily stocked tank. Add coral food and reef roid's to the frozen 3 to 4 times a week.
NP PRO 2 drops daily at night
PRO BIO S 2 drops daily at night
Coral A 2 drops daily at night
Coral V 2 drops daily at night
Coral B 2 drops daily at night
Coral E 2 drops daily at night (I sometimes reduce to 1 drop if I notice coral lightening to much)
5 MLS of component strong per liter added to the calcium / Alk and mineral salt dosing jugs ad per the instructions. Dose 85 MLS of each using randy recipe 1 and dose 2 liters of kalk a day.
I just switched from Rox to AF Carbon and change every 3-4 weeks
Weekly water changes approx 15%
60 gallon water volume
Feed pellets twice a day and reef frenzy frozen once a day for heavily stocked tank. Add coral food and reef roid's to the frozen 3 to 4 times a week.
NP PRO 2 drops daily at night
PRO BIO S 2 drops daily at night
Coral A 2 drops daily at night
Coral V 2 drops daily at night
Coral B 2 drops daily at night
Coral E 2 drops daily at night (I sometimes reduce to 1 drop if I notice coral lightening to much)
5 MLS of component strong per liter added to the calcium / Alk and mineral salt dosing jugs ad per the instructions. Dose 85 MLS of each using randy recipe 1 and dose 2 liters of kalk a day.
I just switched from Rox to AF Carbon and change every 3-4 weeks
Weekly water changes approx 15%
Pretty much the same as me, except I think I have more food going in. I'm fairly heavily stocked too, and feed a homemade frozen mash twice a day and pellets on an auto feeder once a day. Plus the 3 scoops of Reef Chili everyday. :) I'm using the Component 1+2+3+ so no mixing, but I'll probably switch when demand goes up.
What's N and P at for you? I'm 0.5 ppm and 3 ppb (0.009 ppm) respectively. My corals were really pale before starting AF, and they've finally started darkening up now.
dcw1sfu
05-29-2016, 01:24 AM
Pretty much the same as me, except I think I have more food going in. I'm fairly heavily stocked too, and feed a homemade frozen mash twice a day and pellets on an auto feeder once a day. Plus the 3 scoops of Reef Chili everyday. :) I'm using the Component 1+2+3+ so no mixing, but I'll probably switch when demand goes up.
What's N and P at for you? I'm 0.5 ppm and 3 ppb (0.009 ppm) respectively. My corals were really pale before starting AF, and they've finally started darkening up now.
I was showing 0ppb P and 4ppm nitrates so I removed the phosphate minus as I was phosphate limited. Hadn't checked in at least a month prior to this l.
I'm now showing .012ppm Phosphates and 1ppm nitrate
I have also seen amazing improvements in color since switching to AF and have polyp extension on some across that I never had before.
I was showing 0ppb P and 4ppm nitrates so I removed the phosphate minus as I was phosphate limited. Hadn't checked in at least a month prior to this l.
I'm now showing .012ppm Phosphates and 1ppm nitrate
I have also seen amazing improvements in color since switching to AF and have polyp extension on some across that I never had before.
Yes, N and P looks better now. :)
Also, I'm getting excellent color and PE improvements too. I started making the transition in late February with salt and ProBioS. I started the supplements mid-April, and then I started the macros and micros beginning of May. It's when I started the macros and micros that I really started seeing improvements.
Here are a couple examples...
Strawberry Shortcake
Apr 27
https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7371/26958846746_70ab88027c.jpg
Strawberry Shortcake
May 28
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7414/27246009491_bfbaf6fd27.jpg
Garf Bonsai
Apr 27
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7373/27246486891_c49aed02b7.jpg
Garf Bonsai
May 28
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7204/26709839283_55ddd5ae5a.jpg
Galizio
05-29-2016, 01:58 AM
So any of you use some phosphate remover with this method or not?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Galizio
05-29-2016, 01:59 AM
That ssc looks great:-)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So any of you use some phosphate remover with this method or not?
Not I - don't need it. I have some hair algae in the tank, but I'm not concerned about it, it will cycle out. It was there before I started AF.
intarsiabox
05-29-2016, 03:45 AM
I can't seem to find any info on Aquaforest's website about Coral A, B, E, V but it seems like that is what is available through Amazon. Coral A is amino acids and on the Aquaforest website they have AF Amino Mix instead. Have all these products been replaced and Amazon just doesn't carry the new line? Is there a reference chart somewhere that lists the counterparts and a recommended schedule?
I started with the AF Reef salt and just did my third water change with it and everything seems fine. I got the Bio Pro S and NP Pro in the mail on Tuesday and started dosing everyday. The only thing I've noticed is that my glass now needs cleaning daily but coral seems happy. The tank I'm trying these products out on is a 40g breeder, I dosed 2 drops each the first day and just one drop each day there after.
I can't seem to find any info on Aquaforest's website about Coral A, B, E, V but it seems like that is what is available through Amazon. Coral A is amino acids and on the Aquaforest website they have AF Amino Mix instead. Have all these products been replaced and Amazon just doesn't carry the new line? Is there a reference chart somewhere that lists the counterparts and a recommended schedule?
Scroll back to post #228 where I explain it. :)
dcw1sfu
05-29-2016, 05:46 AM
Nice improvements Myka. I have alot of trouble taking photos with my Samsung S5 so I dont usually bother any more.
Hey for your component 1+ 2+ 3+ the Alk seems to be sodium bicarbonate rather then Sodium Carbonate according to the dose/dkh rise. Am I right in assuming this? Its another reason I stick with my own mix as I like to use soda ash which ends up being about 1/2 the liquid dose of sodium bicarbonate. If I'm dosing 85mls right now id probably be dosing closer to 170mls of Component 1+ 2+ 3+ and it would end up being very pricey.
intarsiabox
05-29-2016, 06:09 AM
Scroll back to post #228 where I explain it. :)
Found it, thanks! Any idea if they changed the formulas or just the names?
dcw1sfu
05-29-2016, 06:50 AM
Found it, thanks! Any idea if they changed the formulas or just the names?
Just the names
Nice improvements Myka. I have alot of trouble taking photos with my Samsung S5 so I dont usually bother any more.
Hey for your component 1+ 2+ 3+ the Alk seems to be sodium bicarbonate rather then Sodium Carbonate according to the dose/dkh rise. Am I right in assuming this? Its another reason I stick with my own mix as I like to use soda ash which ends up being about 1/2 the liquid dose of sodium bicarbonate. If I'm dosing 85mls right now id probably be dosing closer to 170mls of Component 1+ 2+ 3+ and it would end up being very pricey.
Yes, it's bicarb. Component 1+2+3+ is NOT cost effective. It really only makes sense for nano tanks and new tanks where the demand isn't very high yet (like mine). Some people go through the Component 1+2+3+ in like 3 weeks, and by my calculations that's like $1000 a year. :lol:
As far as I know, when you buy the AF Calcium, KH Buffer, and Magnesium powders they are just raw materials - the same as most other powder recipes, and nothing special. However, if you're using "raw" materials, you should also be using the Reef Mineral Salt and the Components Strong for all the heavy metal and microelement additions.
Component 1+2+3+ is equal to:
RO/DI, Calcium chloride, Sodium bicarbonate, Magnesium (I'm not sure on the sulfate/chloride mix), Reef Mineral Salt, and Components Strong all mixed together in RO/DI in three handy totes.
dcw1sfu
05-29-2016, 03:52 PM
OK that's what I thought. I buy bulk soda ash and calcium chloride from reefsupplies Canada then buy the AF mineral salt and component strong for balling method. I dose magnesium by hand when needed.
spedly
06-06-2016, 12:47 AM
That's exactly what I was getting at when I asked how you were calibrating. ;) I'm glad you found the issue.
Also, if your RO/DI isn't perfect, using it for the Hanna Calcium Checker will throw those numbers off too. I recommend using distilled water in the Calcium Checker.
Well I'm at a loss...
After discovering that my salinity was off I have spent the past couple of weeks getting it back up to normal levels. After a water change today, I calibrated my refractometer with the Pinpoint solution and measured the salinity in my tank at 1.025. Not the 1.026 I was hoping for but definitely within reason.
A couple of hours later I went to the grocery store to buy a jug of distilled water then used my Hanna checker to measure calcium and.....381. Hrmph. I feel like I'm back where I'm started. I'm still not seeing calcium levels others are seeing.
There are three variables that might be throwing stuff off:
- Pinpoint solution. Does this stuff expire? It's a couple of years old but was never opened until two weeks ago. Should it be shaken before use?
- Refractometer. Should I compare it at the LFS? Is it "spoiled" since I've only used RO/DI for calibration up to this point?
- Bad batch of salt mix? I'm at the end of the current bucket and will have to open a new bucket next week. Maybe wait and see what I measure from that before taking next steps?
I feel like I'm missing something obvious or maybe just have a bad batch of salt.
Jordon
06-06-2016, 01:30 AM
... - Refractometer. Should I compare it at the LFS? Is it "spoiled" since I've only used RO/DI for calibration up to this point?
Bingo! Although not spoiled, you can recalibrate it.
Give this a read (http://blog.captive-aquatics.com/captive_aquatics/2011/01/refractometer-calibration-the-myth-and-risks-of-using-rodi.html) and step away from the RO/DI!
Buy some calibration fluid stat!
spedly
06-06-2016, 02:14 AM
Bingo! Although not spoiled, you can recalibrate it.
Give this a read (http://blog.captive-aquatics.com/captive_aquatics/2011/01/refractometer-calibration-the-myth-and-risks-of-using-rodi.html) and step away from the RO/DI!
Buy some calibration fluid stat!
Thanks Jordon. I should have been more clear. Up until two weeks ago I had only used RO/DI water for calibration. But I am using American Marine Pinpoint calibration fluid now. I'm measuring 1.025 salinity now (up from 1.021) but am still measuring lower than expected calcium levels.
Jordon
06-06-2016, 02:51 AM
Thanks Jordon. I should have been more clear. Up until two weeks ago I had only used RO/DI water for calibration. But I am using American Marine Pinpoint calibration fluid now. I'm measuring 1.025 salinity now (up from 1.021) but am still measuring lower than expected calcium levels.
Oh gotcha!
Have you tested both freshly mixed salt water and your tank? I'm at a loss why the Calcium would be so low. Have you tried a different test kit?
I have the Hanna Calcium checker, and always get results all over the place. I think unless the Distilled water is "lab grade" its contaminants can mess up the results.
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