All For Reef

[rishma]

I’m using the RedSea dose 4. My dosage is spread out over either 24 or 12 hours… can’t remember at the moment. Either way, it’s dosed hourly

I have always dosed AFR all at once. I am not sure there is a problem spreading it out but I don’t think it’s an advantage.

You might check calibration of the pump if you haven’t recently.

 

[rishma]

Maybe my salinity calibration solution could not be correct?

The reason I suspect low salinity..

If your salt mixes is 440ppm calcium at 1.0264 (35ppt) but your actual salinity is 1.023 (30.5ppt) calcium would be 380ppm. Just as an example.

 

[CodyF.]

Maybe my salinity calibration solution could not be correct?

Due to many issues with purchased calibration solutions, I DIY with table salt per the attached. My $9 Amazon scale is good enough to do it.

www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/

Also, Tropic Marin glass hydrometers seems to be quite good. Mine is dead on and it seems others have good luck with them too.

Thanks! Maybe my salinity is low?

 

[CodyF.]

I’m using the RedSea dose 4. My dosage is spread out over either 24 or 12 hours… can’t remember at the moment. Either way, it’s dosed hourly

I have always dosed AFR all at once. I am not sure there is a problem spreading it out but I don’t think it’s an advantage.

You might check calibration of the pump if you haven’t recently.

I guess that’s how my previous doses were setup, so it was a carry over.

Also, they are freshly calibrated. All 4 heads, even though I’m only using 2. Calibrated them with the graduated beacon that came with the pump.

 

[CodyF.]

Maybe my salinity calibration solution could not be correct?

That maybe the issue. I ran an ICP about a year ago- don’t really run them often, and my salinity was slightly lower - via the ICP. That said, a few people on here said the accuracy of salinity via ICP wasn’t accurate. My salinity maybe low. I will have to make the solution you gave in this discussion.

Also, in your ICPs - no high copper? Somone I know told me AFR is high in copper? Not to over dose it. That’s why I asked about max dosage earlier.

I have a lot of flow. I have a MP40 and MP 10 on a 50 gallon. The 10 is at 70% and the 40 is a 20%. Running nutrient export, anti sync.

 

[rishma]

It probably it depends on the ICP company. I think Oceamo used conductivity which is the gold standard for measuring salinity. I am not sure what other companies use.

 

[CodyF.]

It probably it depends on the ICP company. I think Oceamo used conductivity which is the gold standard for measuring salinity. I am not sure what other companies use.

Thanks again for your help!!

 

[BriDroid]

I have always dosed AFR all at once. I am not sure there is a problem spreading it out but I don’t think it’s an advantage.

According to Tropic Marin, they say one bolus dose at lights on. To me, and I have nothing but tests throughout the day and my eyes, I like the doses spread out. Light start ramping up at 8:30, first dose at 8:45. Last dose at 16:58 and lights ramp off at 18:30. That way I’m only dosing during light hours. I used to do it all at once, but this makes me feel better

 

[rishma]

According to Tropic Marin, they say one bolus dose at lights on. To me, and I have nothing but tests throughout the day and my eyes, I like the doses spread out. Light start ramping up at 8:30, first dose at 8:45. Last dose at 16:58 and lights ramp off at 18:30. That way I’m only dosing during light hours. I used to do it all at once, but this makes me feel better

I can see why that feels better. It’s logical to dose smaller amounts to replace elements as they are consumed. That said, I feel like AFR spreads its alkalinity out automatically because of the formate. I have not measured alkalinity through the day but now I’m curious. I think I’ll take multiple tests throughout the day to see what happens.

 

[painter1982]

I was dosing 57mg in the morning right before lights on. That worked fine except I always had an alkalinity swing of around .75 to .85 throughout the day. Once I started spreading out my dose I got that to .2 to .3 which I assume is within testing margin of error. I use a trident to test and was letting it test quite often when I was looking at that and finding my dosage.

 

[rishma]

I was dosing 57mg in the morning right before lights on. That worked fine except I always had an alkalinity swing of around .75 to .85 throughout the day. Once I started spreading out my dose I got that to .2 to .3 which I assume is within testing margin of error. I use a trident to test and was letting it test quite often when I was looking at that and finding my dosage.

That’s neat data. How long from dose to peak? Ballpark

 

[painter1982]

I was dosing 57mg in the morning right before lights on. That worked fine except I always had an alkalinity swing of around .75 to .85 throughout the day. Once I started spreading out my dose I got that to .2 to .3 which I assume is within testing margin of error. I use a trident to test and was letting it test quite often when I was looking at that and finding my dosage.

That’s neat data. How long from dose to peak? Ballpark

It was around 9 hours or so but was getting shorter to about 6 to 7 hours before I spread out the doses. I assume the bacteria must’ve been gaining in quantity and the process was becoming more efficient.

 

[painter1982]

I was dosing 57mg in the morning right before lights on. That worked fine except I always had an alkalinity swing of around .75 to .85 throughout the day. Once I started spreading out my dose I got that to .2 to .3 which I assume is within testing margin of error. I use a trident to test and was letting it test quite often when I was looking at that and finding my dosage.

That’s neat data. How long from dose to peak? Ballpark

It was around 9 hours or so but was getting shorter to about 6 to 7 hours before I spread out the doses. I assume the bacteria must've been gaining in quantity and the process was becoming more efficient.

 

[CoralNewb]

That might be what TM says, would not surprise me, but I don’t understand the logic. I suspect they are worried about people getting fooled by the delayed alkalinity response. I also know the bottle used to (still?) recommends dialing in the dose using calcium measurements, perhaps for the same reason.

I think it also has to do with the fact that AFR is also a form of Carbon dosing. Adding too much at once, especially in a newer system, could cause adverse effects.

 

[rishma]

I think it also has to do with the fact that AFR is also a form of Carbon dosing. Adding too much at once, especially in a newer system, could cause adverse effects.

Good point! There is probably a practical limit of how much you’d want to dump in at once so you didn’t see a significant carbon dosing impact.

 

[Patx]

Hello,

Winter here is tinkering season.

I was spreading my dose overnight, 2ml at a time.
But my alk was 8.2 each morning and 7.8 in the evening.
I noticed that my AFR doses take about 4 hours to appear.
my light peak is between 16h and 20h.
my total need for now is 16-17ml.
I change my schedule:
0:00-2ml
4:00-2ml
8:00-3ml
12:00-4ml (for the 16h peak)
15:30-3ml
16:00-2ml.

I checked alk today and its more linear...
11h- 8
13h- 8.1
16h- 8.1
21h- 7.9
23h- 8.
Was this really necessary? Probably not
but why not.

 

[Peter Houde]

What is the rationale for dosing AFR at lights on?

 

[slingfox]

If you have a reliable way to measure salinity (TM Hydrometer or high end refractometer like the VeeGee—not those cheapo refractometers) the salinity measure should agree.

Here is my last ICP. Salinity is spot on. I would bet your refractometer is not calibrated correctly based on what you have written above.

 

[CodyF.]

If you have a reliable way to measure salinity (TM Hydrometer or high end refractometer like the VeeGee—not those cheapo refractometers) the salinity measure should agree.

Here is my last ICP. Salinity is spot on. I would bet your refractometer is not calibrated correctly based on what you have written above.

I will agree. I have one from Marine Depot….. ….. and one off Amazon. Either one isn’t great quality. I’ve used them both with the same calibration solution over time and the salinity reading was about the same. Nothing worth getting strange about.

I really am appreciating everyone’s input. I’m learning so much about TM AFR. Today I will make the DIY calibration solution-kinda nervous to see how low my salinity is. And will bring it up over time. I’ll turn off my ATO for about a day for so. In addition, I’ll also mix my salt water a little higher each week. Maybe in about 3 weeks it’ll be solid at 1.026 or 35ish.

 

[Hairyteeth]

150 gallon tank, 1rst year of it being set back up after a move,
I dose all for reef spread out 24hours a day to maintain calcium levels, evenly…i did originally have a ramp up and down through the day but have landed on evenly through the day for ease of juggling other dosing heads
I dose soda ash to supplement the alk levels, it’s been a moving target but my alk consumption can get aggressive at times and even out at others… where my calk and mag have been consistent with the afr