I dont get it with all for reef.

[gbroadbridge]

I don’t understand why anyone uses it. Basic 2 part is all you need. And it’s cheap.

Basic 2 or 3 part does not contain trace elements, AFR does.

 

[braaap]

Basic 2 or 3 part does not contain trace elements, AFR does.

In a level nobody knows and with shoddy instructions. We see like 3-5 “how much afr should I dose” threads a week. You don’t see any posts about dosing 2 part. Just do 2 part and dose trace elements as needed. Which I bet isn’t often.

And no. I don’t do water changes.

 

[tREEFarm]

I use AFR and I'm running a 550g system. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[areefer01]

In a level nobody knows and with shoddy instructions. We see like 3-5 “how much afr should I dose” threads a week.

Well we see a lot of repeating threads if truth be told. How many of the AFR are due to not reading the instructions or understanding how the product works? Are the instructions clear or can they be better? Neither of us know how many use or change to it without having issues.

These things do not dictate that it is a good or bad product.

 

[braaap]

Well we see a lot of repeating threads if truth be told. How many of the AFR are due to not reading the instructions or understanding how the product works? Are the instructions clear or can they be better? Neither of us know how many use or change to it without having issues.

These things do not dictate that it is a good or bad product.

I don’t think it’s a bad product per se. But it isn’t the right product for most. It’s a “simplify life” product that doesn’t really fit most needs.

Instructions clearly need work and people need to read lol

 

[gbroadbridge]

In a level nobody knows and with shoddy instructions. We see like 3-5 “how much afr should I dose” threads a week. You don’t see any posts about dosing 2 part. Just do 2 part and dose trace elements as needed. Which I bet isn’t often.

And no. I don’t do water changes.

I think the reason you see a lot of 'how to dose threads' is because too many folks these days have forgotten how to read and instead rely on a diet of youtube and tiktok nonsense.

I don't water change either on one tank and on that tank which runs solely on AFR, the last 2 ICP's (6 months apart) have been fine for traces that matter.

My other tank runs 3 part with added traces (AFTER Component Strong) , and that one too has been fine for traces that matter.

 

[Notsolostfish]

So just increase my afr dose?

 

[hoffmeyerz]

There's been a good back and forth through this thread with good valid info, enjoyable read.
To get back to your original question, yes, increase your AFR dose. Once it's working where you want check it occasionally, it will need adjusting with alk consumption changes.

 

[Danjoethepirate]

So just increase my afr dose?...

Yes, I dose 120 mils in a 185 gallon system, acro dominant. You are well below the recommended threshold.

 

[X-37B]

I don’t do water changes. I can’t imagine AFR has the trace elements you need with the dosing instructions they offer. I just dose a few trace elements a couple times a week. I should make a mix and dose it automated but I haven’t gotten around to it.

I do minimal WC's. 5% a month.
For years now I have ran DSR ez trace. I add it to my ato reservoir.
This way it gets dosed any time the ato comes on. Simple to do and it keeps the 6 elements it contains in range. Last icp was in range a few weeks ago on my 150.
I only need to dose 6ml a day.
I can test for mag an K myself and have found that all the other elements stay in range.

 

[Rhetoric]

Maybe I'm crazy but regardless of which system you supplement with... isn't growth and consumption the goal of a reef tank? I don't see people talk about THAT. It's always stability bleh bleh bleh.

I have the same challenge with my aquarium. Every week I have to increase the AFR dose. We live on opposite side of the spectrum (my tank is 20 gallons vs 150) but have the same "problem"

Honestly I don't see it as a problem at all. I view it as an indicator to a very healthy reef system.

Everything is growing (weekly) and I have to add more supplement to support it.

I don't want flat numbers that stay the same. I want them always slowly drifting down due to usage. I want my coral growing and demanding more!

 

[X-37B]

Also ran AFR in a nano and was above the max recommended and had to add more to keep alk stable and had no issues.
If you find it won't keep up a Kamoer dosing pump with an alk only add can be used to keep it inline.
I currently run a carx on my 150 and 2 part on the others.

 

[X-37B]

Maybe I'm crazy but regardless of which system you supplement with... isn't growth and consumption the goal of a reef tank? I don't see people talk about THAT. It's always stability bleh bleh bleh.

I have the same challenge with my aquarium. Every week I have to increase the AFR dose. We live on opposite side of the spectrum (my tank is 20 gallons vs 150) but have the same "problem"

Honestly I don't see it as a problem at all. I view it as an indicator to a very healthy reef system.

Everything is growing (weekly) and I have to add more supplement to support it.

I don't want flat numbers that stay the same. I want them always slowly drifting down due to usage. I want my coral growing and demanding more!

Well said!

 

[Notsolostfish]

Yeah my system actually booming with growth. Bought another waterbox to move some corals over. My zoas colonies flowing and my sps thats my candy cane colonies

 

[hoffmeyerz]

Yeah my system actually booming with growth. Bought another waterbox to move some corals over. My zoas colonies flowing and my sps thats my candy cane colonies

I think there's your answer! It's a never ending cycle, get a good consistent level with AFR then corals get happy and grow changing consumption leading to dosing changes.
It's a good thing, congrats on the growth!!

 

[slingfox]

One thing to remember is that with the addition of Kalkwasser and the amount of alkalinity derived from that you are actually getting less trace elements from the AFR dose. Lou talks about it below.

I know some like the ph boost from Kalkwasser but something to know if you don't already. 49 minute marker I believe.

You may any to take anything Lou says with a grain of salt. He is a Kalk hater and his company benefits if less hobbyist use Kalk.

 

[exnisstech]

In a level nobody knows and with shoddy instructions. We see like 3-5 “how much afr should I dose” threads a week. You don’t see any posts about dosing 2 part. Just do 2 part and dose trace elements as needed. Which I bet isn’t often.

And no. I don’t do water changes.

We can add them to the how can I raise my pH threads (mine is currently 7.6 lol). Or why are my clownfish fighting all if a sudden. What is this green stuff and how do I get rid of it etc. threads.

I use AFR on one tank. 3 other tanks currently get by on water changes. I dosed nothing but kalk for 6 years on my 180g and it thrived tho I got no pH bump dosing 7200ml daily :thinking-face: I've used ESV 2part for years as well. I don't do ICP so I'm not about to start dosing trace elements randomly plus l just don't want to dose multiple things. I'm a simpleton so I like things simple and AFR is that. One dose a day and a doser isn't even required. Not saying it's better than what you suggest but it's easier. For me AFR is alkalinity control for dummies which is right up my alley.
I'm getting good growth and coloration and to me my tank looks awesome. Its just one method out of many to choose from.

 

[areefer01]

You may any to take anything Lou says with a grain of salt. He is a Kalk hater and his company benefits if less hobbyist use Kalk.

Doesn't matter in this case. It is how the All For Reef product works.

 

[slingfox]

Doesn't matter in this case. It is how the All For Reef product works.

AFR definitely works as does 2-part, 3-part, 4-part, balling method, etc. The science that Lou espouses to discourage use of Kalk on the other hand does not seem reliable. Several threads on this over the years. Not surprising dynamic since Lou needs to sell product!

 

[Troylee]

So just increase my afr dose?...

Yes, I dose 120 mils in a 185 gallon system, acro dominant. You are well below the recommended threshold.

If your alk is lower than you want it yes! The instructions say to dose based off calcium and I don’t agree with that nor does @Randy Holmes-Farley it’s best to use it and base it off your alkalinity.. once your alk is where you want it and stable that’s your dose!