Modern Reef users experience thread

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

As I mentioned in the other thread, it’s very strange to see no alk and pH bottomed out.

 

[trmiv]

Anyone using the Modern Reef Salt mix? Experiences? I’m currently using NYOS, but I’ve been using Modern Reef for ICP so I’m curious about their salt.

 

[Genvid]

I switched over entirely to Modern Reef four months ago. I perform a 20-gallon water change every week. I really like it; it mixes very quickly and cleanly. All the parameters are perfect. I sent my first ICP test samples to Modern Reef, but although eight days have passed, they say they still haven't received them. I sent them via USPS; next time, I'll use UPS. Also, I’ve been looking at test results from other reefers, and I find their diagnostics—specifically what they identify as sufficient versus what is lacking—somewhat unclear. I’ll figure it out once I receive my own results.

 

[slingfox]

I switched over entirely to Modern Reef four months ago. I perform a 20-gallon water change every week. I really like it; it mixes very quickly and cleanly. All the parameters are perfect. I sent my first ICP test samples to Modern Reef, but although eight days have passed, they say they still haven't received them. I sent them via USPS; next time, I'll use UPS. Also, I’ve been looking at test results from other reefers, and I find their diagnostics—specifically what they identify as sufficient versus what is lacking—somewhat unclear. I’ll figure it out once I receive my own results.

See this thread on the MR ICP service:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/modern-reef-icp-any-experience.1158590/

I have only sent one sample in but what I found there is you will not get any notification of where your sample is until it is received by their lab in Europe. Therefor your sample couple be lost in transit to Florida or in transit to the MR lab in Europe.

 

[trmiv]

I’ve sent two icp samples to them. The turnaround has been pretty quick for me, but I’m in Florida so it gets to their us office quickly.

 

[slingfox]

For those who have not seen it, WWC recently did a followup visit to Tusi who is one of the head coral persons at Andrew Sandler’s Polo Reef. Tusi is probably the longest active user of Modern Reef in the US since he had access to the system well before it was officially launched in the US in December 2025:

 

[REEFRIED!]

I know it is a full complete system, it is anyone using just the two foods? The CRF and the polypop?

 

[Yazannreef]

I know it is a full complete system, it is anyone using just the two foods? The CRF and the polypop?

If im not mistaken. The product do provide trace elements that complement the 4 part system. You could go ahead and dose them stand alone and see if it makes a difference in your tank.

 

[Modern Reef Verified Sponsor]

CRF and PP complement the system :), they are dosed based on the daily dosage of the 4 parts.

 

[Daveph68]

Can you dose CRF during daytime or does it need to be dosed at night?

 

[Oldreefer44]

Doesn't NEED to be but it is recommended as with most coral foods.

 

[pepbill]

Ill be switching over from 2 part with part C and kalk at night and diy trace elements. Really just kind of experimenting but also have the eye to realize if something isnt right and can make corrections needed...if needed. Theres nothing wrong with what im dosing now but figured why not try a little experiment.

Dude you have a beautiful tank. Why tinker, if it’s one thing I’ve learned in many years of reefing is corals are temperamental.

 

[billyocean]

Dude you have a beautiful tank. Why tinker, if it’s one thing I’ve learned in many years of reefing is corals are temperamental.

Thank you! It was just easier to run the tank this way and im experienced enough to recognize what the coral tell me. Had I seen any ill effects its easy to revert.

 

[slingfox]

Dude you have a beautiful tank. Why tinker, if it’s one thing I’ve learned in many years of reefing is corals are temperamental.

Clearly @billyocean is looking for that illusive fifth color on his favorite SPS colony. That color will not appear unless you are willing to bet it all!

We are all standing in the reefing casino right now, hoping to hit the SPS coloration jackpot

 

[billyocean]

Clearly @billyocean is looking for that illusive fifth color on his favorite SPS colony. That color will not appear unless you are willing to bet it all!

We are all standing in the reefing casino right now, hoping to hit the SPS coloration jackpot

Still trying to dial in color as well as it was before. Its close but not quite there. The caveat is...not many people (except us psychos) would be able to tell any color difference. A couple more icps and ill have it dialed back in.

 

[Genvid]

I’m a bit confused again. My parameters are: Alk = 7.7, Ca = 460, Mg = 1420. I ran an ICP test and received recommendations on what to add, so I ordered a pre-mixed solution containing all the elements from Modern Reef. This really simplifies things for me, and I like it because I’m confident I won’t accidentally add anything unnecessary. However, the issue is that Modern Reef advised me to lower my Ca and Mg levels—either through water changes or by reducing the dosage of those specific elements. I’ve been doing 15% weekly water changes, yet the calcium and magnesium levels haven't dropped. I even stopped dosing Ca and Mg and am only dosing Alk, but after two weeks, nothing has changed—the Ca and Mg readings remain the same. I’m puzzled because Modern Reef says all components should be dosed in equal parts; I’m wondering if adding only Alk might harm my system. Sorry for the long post—I’m just a bit confused. I have a Waterbox Infinia 230.6.

 

[Yazannreef]

I’m a bit confused again. My parameters are: Alk = 7.7, Ca = 460, Mg = 1420. I ran an ICP test and received recommendations on what to add, so I ordered a pre-mixed solution containing all the elements from Modern Reef. This really simplifies things for me, and I like it because I’m confident I won’t accidentally add anything unnecessary. However, the issue is that Modern Reef advised me to lower my Ca and Mg levels—either through water changes or by reducing the dosage of those specific elements. I’ve been doing 15% weekly water changes, yet the calcium and magnesium levels haven't dropped. I even stopped dosing Ca and Mg and am only dosing Alk, but after two weeks, nothing has changed—the Ca and Mg readings remain the same. I’m puzzled because Modern Reef says all components should be dosed in equal parts; I’m wondering if adding only Alk might harm my system. Sorry for the long post—I’m just a bit confused. I have a Waterbox Infinia 230.6.

Quite an interesting problme you have. What is your Alkalinity consumption. Daily??
Its very odd for the alkalinity to be consumed while the CA and Mag are not.

If I know your dkh consumption in a day or how much kh1 ans kh2 you dose daily I could help you with the next step.

 

[Genvid]

Thanks for your help with my issue; I just ran the tests. Alk is 8.1 (previously 7.7), Ca is 460 (previously 470), and Mg has dropped from 1460 to 1380. NO3 is 35, PO4 is 0.09, and salinity is 1.025. I am dosing only Modern Reef KH-1 (60 ml) and KH-2 (60 ml). I perform a 15–20% water change every week using Modern Reef salt.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Mg has dropped from 1460 to 1380.

While both values are fine, that change is test error (or a big salinity drop) unless you dosed more than 800 ppm of calcium and zero magnesium during that time. . I don't recommend even testing magnesium at home for dosing control for that reason.

I recommend this instead:

Just say NO to magnesium testing: RMM is born

OK, this thread has been many years in the making, and I'm posting it here since folks in the chem forum are probably already tired of all the threads relating to problematic magnesium testing. I'm going to propose a method, let's call it the Randy Magnesium Method, or RMM for short. All good...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Genvid]

I’m a bit confused again. My parameters are: Alk = 7.7, Ca = 460, Mg = 1420. I ran an ICP test and received recommendations on what to add, so I ordered a pre-mixed solution containing all the elements from Modern Reef. This really simplifies things for me, and I like it because I’m confident I won’t accidentally add anything unnecessary. However, the issue is that Modern Reef advised me to lower my Ca and Mg levels—either through water changes or by reducing the dosage of those specific elements. I’ve been doing 15% weekly water changes, yet the calcium and magnesium levels haven't dropped. I even stopped dosing Ca and Mg and am only dosing Alk, but after two weeks, nothing has changed—the Ca and Mg readings remain the same. I’m puzzled because Modern Reef says all components should be dosed in equal parts; I’m wondering if adding only Alk might harm my system. Sorry for the long post—I’m just a bit confused. I have a Waterbox Infinia 230.6.

Modern Reef?