Moonshiners method feedback

[BigMonkeyBrain]

I started with a salt mix and the rest is Randy !

Probably happens !

“So let it be written, so let it be done”

 

[Max93]

I killed about 80-100 frags of acros before finally finding success.

Between AEFW, and all the challenges - have bought strictly 1 SPS and dipped and everything, for it to always die within a week. This was over multiple tanks.

Tried moonshiners (started dosing it first, THEN added acropora after on my nth attempt) - currently have a 90% success rate.

I think having adequate trace elements allows the corals to be more resilient in our trace element depleted boxes. For example - alk swing here and there - no issues - buys you a lot of time. Before, I’d have a 1.0 alk swing over a week and all my acros would perish almost instantly. That’s all I think it does, which is a very valuable “all it does.”

I want to highlight this point - tanks with CALCIUM REACTORS naturally dose trace elements to their tanks 24/7… the best tanks I’ve seen run on reactors.

People that run moonshine and reactors save on moonshine costs. We should not be ignoring the trace elements being put back into the tank from calcium reactor media.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

People that run moonshine and reactors save on moonshine costs. We should not be ignoring the trace elements being put back into the tank from calcium reactor media.

I certainly agree that folks should not ignore various sources, but I’ll make two additional points:

1. CaCO3 reactors only add part of the trace elements needed. It ignores all of the trace elements used in tissues, including corals, algae, etc.

2. Food may be a bigger source of most trace elements than many methods, possibly including reactors. In both cases, however, it is hard to be sure what fraction of the trace elements contained actually make it to corals before some other sink takes them in.

 

[Max93]

I certainly agree that folks should not ignore various sources, but I’ll make two additional points:

1. CaCO3 reactors only add part of the trace elements needed. It ignores all of the trace elements used in tissues, including corals, algae, etc.

2. Food may be a bigger source of most trace elements than many methods, possibly including reactors. In both cases, however, it is hard to be sure what fraction of the trace elements contained actually make it to corals before some other sink takes them in.

Good points, I did not know that about point 1 and that the reactors ignored the elements used in the tissues. Specially point #2 - a lot of issues do arise from under feeding, or just not feeding frequently.

I am impressed though by what moonshine has done for me, or what I believe it has done for me based on my experience. My ICP tests from a year ago, look very different from the one last month. It has also made me pay closer attention to my water chemistry as whole rather than just the big 3. I’m afraid to get off the shine to test it - but I am willing to set up a similar frag tank (same lighting etc.) and not put traces in it, nor do water changes, and see what happens. Not sure if someone has already attempted this, but would love to side by side pics of something like this.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Good points, I did not know that about point 1 and that the reactors ignored the elements used in the tissues. Specially point #2 - a lot of issues do arise from under feeding, or just not feeding frequently.

I am impressed though by what moonshine has done for me, or what I believe it has done for me based on my experience. My ICP tests from a year ago, look very different from the one last month. It has also made me pay closer attention to my water chemistry as whole rather than just the big 3. I’m afraid to get off the shine to test it - but I am willing to set up a similar frag tank (same lighting etc.) and not put traces in it, nor do water changes, and see what happens. Not sure if someone has already attempted this, but would love to side by side pics of something like this.

I have nothing against trying to optimize trace elements by icp, assuming sufficient accuracy. My only concern with moonshiners in particular are some of the selected trace elements which I do not believe are useful to supplement.

 

[Max93]

I have nothing against trying to optimize trace elements by icp, assuming sufficient accuracy. My only concern with moonshiners in particular are some of the selected trace elements which I do not believe are useful to supplement.

Ah gotcha - I get what you’re saying. So for example, maybe selenium or chromium for example (just guessing have no idea which ones do and don’t have usefulness).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ah gotcha - I get what you’re saying. So for example, maybe selenium or chromium for example (just guessing have no idea which ones do and don’t have usefulness).

I specifically mean barium and rubidium. I’m not actually certain of their whole list, but this two are on my no need to dose list since no known organisms needs them.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randys-elements-to-dose.952/

 

[West1]

I’m considering going moonshine.
I do weekly 20gl water changes and buy roughly 9 boxes of instant ocean for a 12 mo period. That’s roughly 600 on salt for a year.

Roughly, how much does one spend yearly on RM’s supplements after the initial 400-600 start up costs?

 

[Big E]

If you're paying $67 a year for IO salt then you're getting ripped off. There are numerous sales per Petsmart, Petco, Chewy, ect. These sales happen at least 4-6 times a year.

160g buckets can be had for $28 to under 40. The 200g boxes usually hover around 40-42 on sales.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I’m considering going moonshine.
I do weekly 20gl water changes and buy roughly 9 boxes of instant ocean for a 12 mo period. That’s roughly 600 on salt for a year.

Roughly, how much does one spend yearly on RM’s supplements after the initial 400-600 start up costs?

I spent over 600 my first order, it's not hard

Have you ever used the elixir rubidium, or dosed gallons of fluoride before?

If you don't make a big order you end up paying more in shipping for the year, because some of the products go quick, the ones you barely use last forever but if you think it's cheaper lol...

Big question is does it work better? Is it easier? Can you achieve the results any other way......

 

[Troylee]

I’m considering going moonshine.
I do weekly 20gl water changes and buy roughly 9 boxes of instant ocean for a 12 mo period. That’s roughly 600 on salt for a year.

Roughly, how much does one spend yearly on RM’s supplements after the initial 400-600 start up costs?

Don’t forget monthly icp testing! That’s about the price of salt you’re using! lol… get on a autoship from chewy or petco and the salt is much cheaper!

 

[shakacuz]

Roughly, how much does one spend yearly on RM’s supplements after the initial 400-600 start up costs?

depends on the tank size, as well as what you mostly consume (for big tanks, flouride tends to be one of the main elements that is "used")

i haven't had a tank running since march, so i am unsure of if andre has come up with a more concentrated version of the flouride or any other element to reduce the need to "restock"

 

[Oldreefer44]

There are vendors, like Captiv8, that will do the work for you. They will take your ICP results and mix a 30 day supply of minor trace elements for you to dose along with providing a detailed summary of your results regardless of what ICP brand you use.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There are vendors, like Captiv8, that will do the work for you. They will take your ICP results and mix a 30 day supply of minor trace elements for you to dose along with providing a detailed summary of your results regardless of what ICP brand you use.

There are also diy recipes for many ions.

 

[West1]

If you're paying $67 a year for IO salt then you're getting ripped off. There are numerous sales per Petsmart, Petco, Chewy, ect. These sales happen at least 4-6 times a year.

160g buckets can be had for $28 to under 40. The 200g boxes usually hover around 40-42 on sales.

I sure wish I could find those prices. Online and everywhere around me has IO at 60.00 plus dollars. I’m headed to Cali and asked a friend what the cost is at a local shop I use to buy at and he said it’s 67 a box (all the 200gl regular boxes). Last year I stocked up on chewy.com with BOGO free but they didn’t do it this year :(

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I sure wish I could find those prices. Online and everywhere around me has IO at 60.00 plus dollars. I’m headed to Cali and asked a friend what the cost is at a local shop I use to buy at and he said it’s 67 a box (all the 200gl regular boxes). Last year I stocked up on chewy.com with BOGO free but they didn’t do it this year :(

I got a bucket of IO from Petco a couple of weeks ago for $41.20 plus free delivery.

 

[Troylee]

I got a bucket of IO from Petco a couple of weeks ago for $41.20 plus free delivery.

Hmmmm what’s raaahandy up to? :thinking-face:

 

[Coinzmans Reef]

I left RMS for RS 4 part because I am lazy. After some STN I went back on the Shine, to be fair I use the RS 7 part
(minus the bioactive elements, cant be quantified) and supplement everything else with RMS based on
bi-monthly ICP tests.

 

[Big E]

I sure wish I could find those prices. Online and everywhere around me has IO at 60.00 plus dollars. I’m headed to Cali and asked a friend what the cost is at a local shop I use to buy at and he said it’s 67 a box (all the 200gl regular boxes). Last year I stocked up on chewy.com with BOGO free but they didn’t do it this year :(

Just keep an eye out for sales.....most get posted here or make sure you're on their email lists and become a member. The sales combined with auto refill options can save you over 35%. You will also get rewards points from those places too.

This is all on line shipped to you. Stock up during those times.

Many times people here on R2R will post the sales, usually in the Reef Discussion forum.

 

[West1]

Just keep an eye out for sales.....most get posted here or make sure you're on their email lists and become a member. The sales combined with auto refill options can save you over 35%. You will also get rewards points from those places too.

This is all on line shipped to you. Stock up during those times.

Many times people here on R2R will post the sales, usually in the Reef Discussion forum.

Oh I never knew members would post sales!
I bought 3 boxes of aqua Forrest from BRS on Black Friday as it was the cheapest sale I could find, since I made the decision to go RMS.
Already purchased the ICP test. I’ll send my first sample after I get back from vacation, Dec 29th.
Oceamo is closed till Jan 6th so I’ll send it then.