I dont get it with all for reef.

[Miami Reef]

Go back to page one and watch the video linked. Lou/Tropic Marin will describe why.

There is nothing chemically wrong with using different chemistry additives to raise alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. The end result is the same.

 

[Miami Reef]

Maybe you should try it! It’s so simple and it works! Ask Sunny x he’s a newb haha! A single dosing head and it’s set and forget once you have your dose! It doesn’t get any easier…

I would like to reiterate that anyone can use it. I just said it’s especially useful for new reefers. I never said only beginners should use it.


I personally will not use it for other reasons, but I still really like the product; it’s very good.

 

[areefer01]

Huh? I said I believed it’s superior because it’s a 3 in one solution that generally maintains alk, calcium, and magnesium. This is especially useful for beginner reefers, but anyone can use this product.

I don’t understand your response to me.

OK.

 

[Troylee]

I would like to reiterate that anyone can use it. I just said it’s especially useful for new reefers. I never said only beginners should use it.


I personally will not use it for other reasons, but I still really like the product; it’s very good.

All good man! I get it! It’s a wonderful product and does exactly what it was intended for and I don’t have to play around and mix or buy a bunch of different products, it’s a single shot on a single doser! It’s more of a joke saying it’s for newbs because a member here last year said it’s only for newbs and called me a newb so me and areefer01 have ran with it and cracked jokes to each other calling ourselves newbs! It’s all in fun man don’t take it personal haha!

 

[MONTANTK]

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

It’s super covenient for nano tanks. That said, I tried using the dry version and mixing it myself. I wouldn’t do that again because I struggled getting a consistent mix. For that reason, I’d probably go to traditional 2 part beyond 30 gallons but no reason someone couldn’t use the dry version for a larger system

 

[fish_collector]

It’s actually formulated to replenish traces in certain ratios and amounts. Adding alkalinity and calcium from other sources skews these ratios.

We’ve seem multiple ICP tests from long time AFR users that show Tropic Marin has done a great job with estimating those ratios.

Yes I know what it's for. I've watched all of the lectures Lou has given on the product. Using AFR in addition to 2 part would be no different than performing a water change.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Yes I know what it's for. I've watched all of the lectures Lou has given on the product. Using AFR in addition to 2 part would be no different than performing a water change.

Well, depends what water you are changing with.

And forgetting removal of waste products and toxins that water changes remove.

Therefore nothing at all like a water change... :)

 

[fish_collector]

Well, depends what water you are changing with.

And forgetting removal of waste products and toxins that water changes remove.

Therefore nothing at all like a water change... :)

Why does everyone quote my posts and respond like I have no idea what I'm talking about? In the context of what we are discussing, maintaining alk, calcium, mag and traces, using AFR in conjunction with 2 part would be exactly the same as using 2 part and doing a water change. The fresh salt water will add in buffers, calcium and mag as well as trace elements to water that may already be somewhat balanced already. If used haphazardly or overdosed it will throw the alk/calcium/mag balance out of kilter. So excuse me if I used the wrong terminology, NO it's not exactly the same as doing a water change but it would have the same effect, without consideration from the other benefits a water change provides.

I'm aware that changing some water will remove toxins and waste products but we weren't discussing those things.

 

[rtparty]

Yes I know what it's for. I've watched all of the lectures Lou has given on the product. Using AFR in addition to 2 part would be no different than performing a water change.

That’s incorrect. New water contains far more elements than 2 part and/or AFR. AFR has like 17 trace elements in it? New water has roughly 70?

 

[Miami Reef]

In the context of what we are discussing, maintaining alk, calcium, mag and traces, using AFR in conjunction with 2 part would be exactly the same as using 2 part and doing a water change.

That doesn’t really make sense.

Following the complete Balling Method will have a very slight water-change effect when diluting down the salinity, but this effect is generally small and insignificant.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-balling-method-recipe.1098905/

 

[fish_collector]

That’s incorrect. New water contains far more elements than 2 part and/or AFR. AFR has like 17 trace elements in it? New water has roughly 70?

In my original post I had mentioned I may buy some AFR and supplement my 2 part with it, then someone said it wasn't meant for using in conjunction with 2 part. I disagreed and said it would be the same as using 2 part and doing a water change. What I meant by that was only pertaining to alk, calcium, mag and some traces. Again sorry for my use of the term water change, there are many benefits from a water change and dosing AFR along with 2 part is nothing like a water change.

I was just trying to use that as an example that dosing AFR alongside 2 part wouldn't hurt anything. Changing water will add in some of the things that AFR will add. And, I'm aware there is a balance between them that has to be maintained. AFR has a third component that 2 part does not, so it's use in conjunction with 2 part will cause alk and calcium to become elevated while the third Balling component will still require an addition to bring all into balance. I get it, it's not ideal. My original post was never meant to start a debate.

If this is so incorrect, please educate me further I'm all ears :)

 

[Miami Reef]

Trace elements are essential, but I don’t believe that’s the primary importance of AFR.



For years, people have been using two-parts, calcium reactors, and kalkwasser without needing AFR. If you want more trace elements, you can add them separately — Tropic Marin sells A & K elements which should match AFR.



You can always use other alkalinity and calcium additives simultaneously as using AFR. Chemically, there is nothing wrong with doing so.



Tying trace elements to alkalinity and calcium consumption isn’t a perfect solution, either. A soft coral and macroalgae tank would likely consume far more trace elements than hard corals but require little to no alkalinity/calcium. You'd be lacking if you used AFR to maintain trace elements in those tanks.



A lot of trace elements come in foods as well. While you can always solely use AFR, you don’t have to.

 

[fish_collector]

Trace elements are important, but I don’t believe that’s the main importance of AFR.

People have been using 2 parts, calcium reactors, kalkwasser for years without needing AFR. If you want more trace elements, you can simply add them separately.

You can always use other alkalinity and calcium additives at the same time as using AFR. Chemically, there is nothing wrong with doing so.

Tying trace elements to alkalinity and calcium consumption isn’t a perfect solution, either. A soft coral and macro algae tank would likely consume far more trace elements than hard corals, but would require little-to-no alkalinity/calcium. If you used AFR to maintain trace elements in those tanks, you’d be lacking.

A lot of trace elements come in foods as well. While you can always use AFR solely, you don’t have to.

Yes I agree with you 100%. You have pretty much summed up what I've been trying to get across. As far as trace elements go, I'm also aware they are consumed at different rates by different organisms. I also understand that is why some reefers use the moonshiners method or something similar. I'm no stranger to what we do with our reef tanks, I just wish we could all get along :face-blowing-a-kiss:

 

[Reef Puncher]

Don’t listen to this newb! :grinning-face-with-sweat: Kidding! He knows what’s up! I top off with fully saturated kalk and still use 150ml daily of all for reef to keep my alk stable! My tank is over 300 gallons wet with the sump going.. heavy bioload and heavy coral load! All for reef could keep up but I like my ph higher so I do what I do! I still change my water but all for reef lets me change it when I want without worries and not stressing out! It’s a great product I don’t care what anyone says it’s easy to use it works and the proof is in the pudding! Look at my tank or Sunny x or anyone else running it!

you do exactly what i do. although i do add a dose of 2 mls a day of TM's A- and K+ because my AFR isnt quite enough trace to keep up with my high coral bioload. if i did only AFR alone, that might have had enough trace. but kalk is my main supplier of alk. i just use AFR to keep rest balanced during the day, just like you.

 

[Troylee]

you do exactly what i do. although i do add a dose of 2 mls a day of TM's A- and K+ because my AFR isnt quite enough trace to keep up with my high coral bioload. if i did only AFR alone, that might have had enough trace. but kalk is my main supplier of alk. i just use AFR to keep rest balanced during the day, just like you.

Exactly what I do! I don’t use the A&K unless it’s summer time and to hot to change water… my water station boils in the Vegas summers so I’ll use A&K to get me through the hot months lol… I don’t test trace elements and not gonna waste money on a icp I just change water 9 months out of the year and my tank runs just fine.

 

[SunnyX]

Hello,

These days, I keep things simple by dosing only two key products: Tropic Marin All-For-Reef (AFR) and Tropic Marin Elimi-NP/NP Bacto Balance. Combined with a monthly 25% water change, this approach keeps my reef systems thriving. Looking back, I can’t imagine returning to the old days of managing separate two-part dosing, Kalkwasser, or a calcium reactor—AFR has made supplementation effortless. I don't even use a doser. Each morning, I get up and drop the appropriate dosage into my systems.

The beauty of All-For-Reef is that it provides everything your corals need in a single solution—calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, and essential trace elements—without leaving behind unwanted residues or causing precipitation issues. This eliminates the need to juggle multiple additives, simplifying maintenance while promoting stable water chemistry.

The only real challenge with AFR is the initial dialing-in process. It takes some time to determine the right dosage for your system, but once you’ve stabilized your parameters and locked in your dosing schedule, it’s essentially set-and-forget. No more constantly adjusting multiple components—just steady, predictable results.

For anyone looking to streamline their reef maintenance without sacrificing coral health and growth, AFR is one of the best investments you can make. Its not cheap, but if you can swing it, you're doing yourself a disservice not taking advantage of it.

FYI: I am NOT sponsored by Tropic Marin.

One of my simple reefs below:

-Sonny

 

[Jbr0nc0]

I love it. 15gal soft coral tank. I dose 2ml every other day. I also dose reef ab+ 3ml every day and 5ml trace elements once a week. I do 4 33%water changes every year. My alk hovers around 8/8.2.

I used to dose afr every day, couldn't keep the coraline algee at bay. The less I mess with my tank the better it does but I know that's not the case for everyone.

 

[Seansea]

What I find with afr is the growth spikes correspond directly to alk uptake and increasing afr dosing. When my tank hits the sweet spot with nutrients and the light they are getting and all the things that make corals happy I am bumping afr every 4 days. Then when the opposite happens like when I started dosing nopox cuz nutrients got too high and my tank looked like crap coral growth stopped and i had lower my afr dosage. Raising it just means your tank is really happy!!

It really is a great product especially if you use an algae scrubber. Trace elements can get used up fast and this helps keep up a lot. I Icp put every 3 months and my traces mostly come back spot on.

The only reason not to use it is price and no ph benefit.

 

[painter1982]

My tank is almost 2 years always used afr, but lately after i started mixing my own. I measure 160G mix with rodi 900ml. Wait 30-40 min and put it in my mixing container. I keep increasing 5ml everytime. And i cant keep my alk at 8.5. I raise my alk to 8.5 it drops to 7.9-7.8 the next few days. My tank is 150G total water volume

I do have a lot of corals. I get that. But still i dont get when increasing afr will stop

I have to dose sodium bicarbonate and afr to keep my dkh at 9.0, 60 gallon tank dosing 42ml afr and 6ml bicarbonate. I have been increasing total afr by 2ml each week to see if I can use it alone. Seems to never keep up.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Seems to never keep up.

It can keep up with most any tank if you add enough.