How to Use AFR/Dosing

[BryanM]

I dose AFR 6x a day to maintain alk at 9dKH.

I started with Tropic Marine's calculator, and then adjusted via test results.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So start doing that much and I have the 32 bio cube and It takes 2 days for it to start raising your alk right? So dose 0.25 and test in 2 days and then test in a week and keep water changes as normal? I mix 4 gallons a week at 1.025 77degrees

I’m not sure the 2 days delay is necessarily correct, but there will be some delay so don’t bother measuring alk for a few days.

 

[exnisstech]

My SPS tank has been on AFR for 1.5 years. I do small random water changes to remove detritus but it has been enough to prevent the rise in calcium that some see not doing water changes.
I moved from ESV 2 part to AFR so I didn't have to adjust my alk. Now i just test and when consumption increases I increase the AFR amount.
I've used kamoer f1 and x1 dosers with no problems but am currently using a reefdose 2. I prefer the reefdose mainly because I like the app better but they don't offer a single head.
I will mention due to AFR being slow to work manual dosing is an option. I manually dosed for 7-8 months before adding a doser. The only reason I moved to a doser was because I had one here and i was forgetting to dose occasionally.

My AFR tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I will mention due to AFR being slow to work manual dosing is an option. I manually dosed for 7-8 months before adding a doser. The only reason I moved to a doser was because I had one here and i was forgetting to dose occasionally.

To that point, I use a dosing pump, but add it over just one time in the morning (takes 14 min) because I see no advantage to spreading it out more (risking my messing up the settings somehow lol).

 

[Hooz]

I've been using AFR for about 5 years now. I've tried two different ways to start, and both worked well for me.

Check your ALK and then start dosing AFR at half the recommended amount for the tank size. Since there can be a "lag" in ALK readings when you start with AFR, I dose the same amount for 3 days, then test my ALK again.

If ALK has gone down, up the AFR dose amount, dose for 3 days and test again.

If ALK has gone up, lower the dose amount, dose for 3 days and test again.

If ALK stays the same, you found your maintenance dose amount. Stick with it!

Now, I mentioned two different methods...

1. Adjust ALK/CAL/MAG to your target levels before you start AFR, then just let the AFR maintain them for you.

2. Find your AFR maintenance amount first, THEN slowly adjust ALK/CAL/MAG to where you want to run them.

I've found that you CAN raise levels with AFR, but it's not the best at doing it since it's an all-in-one solution. I always keep the Red Sea Foundation elements on hand (because you can get them in smaller bottles) for fine tuning things.

 

[Hooz]

To that point, I use a dosing pump, but add it over just one time in the morning (takes 14 min) because I see no advantage to spreading it out more (risking my messing up the settings somehow lol).

@Randy Holmes-Farley what additional steps (if any) are you taking to boost pH? My one and only "gripe" with AFR is that there is no real pH boost/benefit using it.

I wish we could get AFR's one part simplicity with Kalk's pH benefits, but I guess I'll just keep wishing.

 

[mpatterson42]

I would suggest starting with a lower amount of AFR than what you think you'll need. I used the recommended amount based on water volume and my alkalinity went from 6.8 to 8.0 in two days. It's better to start slow and work your way up then go up too fast.

 

[Saltwater_Reefing]

I’d start with the equivalent of 0.25 dKH AFR per day and see where that gets you after several days. :)

I just ordered the dosing pump and afr is coming tomorrow

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley what additional steps (if any) are you taking to boost pH? My one and only "gripe" with AFR is that there is no real pH boost/benefit using it.

I wish we could get AFR's one part simplicity with Kalk's pH benefits, but I guess I'll just keep wishing.

I’m not taking any steps right now. My pH runs about 7.95.

 

[dvgyfresh]

I use AFR , 20G started at 1ML per week to maintain alk of 9-9.5 dkh (what my salt mixes at).
Been doing this , on Sunday I tested and my alk was 8.8 dkh , I dosed 5ML on Monday , tested yesterday at 8.9dkh. Will test again today to see what my levels are at

 

[dvgyfresh]

I manually dose as well, I don’t feel the need for controllers

 

[Saltwater_Reefing]

I’m not taking any steps right now. My pH runs about 7.95.

I just got the AFR, it says on instant ocean to have an initial dose of 6.06 so should I dose 3 ml?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I just got the AFR, it says on instant ocean to have an initial dose of 6.06 so should I dose 3 ml?

I would dose the equivalent of 0.25 dKH. What is your total water volume?

 

[Saltwater_Reefing]

I would dose the equivalent of 0.25 dKH. What is your total water volume?

32 gallons

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I've been using AFR for about 5 years now. I've tried two different ways to start, and both worked well for me.

Check your ALK and then start dosing AFR at half the recommended amount for the tank size. Since there can be a "lag" in ALK readings when you start with AFR, I dose the same amount for 3 days, then test my ALK again.

If ALK has gone down, up the AFR dose amount, dose for 3 days and test again.

If ALK has gone up, lower the dose amount, dose for 3 days and test again.

If ALK stays the same, you found your maintenance dose amount. Stick with it!

Now, I mentioned two different methods...

1. Adjust ALK/CAL/MAG to your target levels before you start AFR, then just let the AFR maintain them for you.

2. Find your AFR maintenance amount first, THEN slowly adjust ALK/CAL/MAG to where you want to run them.

I've found that you CAN raise levels with AFR, but it's not the best at doing it since it's an all-in-one solution. I always keep the Red Sea Foundation elements on hand (because you can get them in smaller bottles) for fine tuning things.

Same method I used to dial in my dose. I too use the Red Sea Foundation to do the heavy lifting to raise my ALK where I wanted it and use my AFR to maintain it. I still test every 2 to 3 weeks to check on things, and every once in a while I have to add a ml or 2 to my dose due to growth/increased consumption in the tank.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

32 gallons

This is from Tropic Marin's site.

 

[Saltwater_Reefing]

This is from Tropic Marin's site.

I dosed 2ml, so continue that for 3 days and check my alk and other parameters and then add/decrease from the results

 

[ScottF]

I’m not taking any steps right now. My pH runs about 7.95.

Is that peak or trough?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

32 gallons

I’d dose 5 mL per day for several days and then measure the alk. That adds about 0.25 dKH per day.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is that peak or trough?

I don’t think mine varies much, though I’ve not carefully tracked it. It’s a mid day measurement, but I think I have as much or more photosynthesis at night in my lit refugia.