Reef Moonshiners V All for Reef

[jrawk1120]

I understand that RM is much more in depth. Everything is added separately based on an icp test. It looks alluring after I see the results from people using it. It is on the higher end of cost.

All for reef is much more friendly on the budget. Handles a lot of parameters and some trace elements.

I don’t have much coral now. Other than my duncans, everything else is looking good in the tank. Just some basics, leathers, hammers. My main parameters are on point except my phos is a little elevated at .59.

I want to get ready for some sps and some higher end torches.

I’ve seen fantastic tanks using AFR as well as RM.

My tank is a 144g with a 30g sump. I have 2 gyre style and one circular power head and a 1600gph return. I have a fuge with some caulerpa. Simplicity 320dc skimmer. Reef breeders photonv2 48” (will be upgrading in the winter).

I currently use AB+ and I make my own fish food which is a mixture of salmon, shrimp, and clam…. Or some shell animal, and nori. I also feed pellets mid morning.

So my question is, is RM really worth the money or will AFR handle things well? What have been your pros and cons?

 

[exnisstech]

RM sounds like a science experiment to my non scientific mind so I use AFR. I like to keep things as simple as possible and AFR fits that bill. This tank has been on AFR for 16 months after switching from ESV 2part. I've been happy with the results.

 

[areefer01]

So my question is, is RM really worth the money or will AFR handle things well?

I think the better question to ask, in my opinion, is which method is better suited to "your" reef style.

All for reef != Moonshine or any other additive style methodology. Moonshine is not the first or the longest either btw. The Dutch have been doing this for a long while now as a few others.

 

[Seansea]

Afr. Its just easier and icp every quarter and add things as needed

 

[Troylee]

I’m biased for all for reef! It works but I’m a newb!

 

[FishLvR]

I'm using Tropic Marin Balling with trace elements. I don't have enough coral to know if it is working. All for reef would be the easier version of this. I have been looking into Reef Moonshiners again just out of curiosity. But the price tag scares me off of going all in. Which then led me to Capitv8, but I can find no information on how the system works. I get that you can send in your ICP and they make a formula for me. I am more hands on. Give me a calculator at least. Captiv8 tells you to download an app, which I did, and it was fine but you have a pay wall for ICP analysis and what not. So that's where I am at right now. The price of salt is getting insane and my on going algae issues seem to be compounded with each water change so it's enticing to break it down into each individual component. Just a quick looks tells me I will be in over $230 just the first batch of chemicals and ICP tests, it would have been over $500 but I can get most of them much cheaper myself.

There was a TON of people using it here in town. Most all of them quit. I asked my LFS why he quit he said he just hated all the dosing on all the tanks (over 2,000 gallons). He then quit, then started again, only to quit again. Everyone else sold all their chems and left too. Some because of the crazy diehard RM people that would tear into anyone who dare asked any questions deemed against the method. Some just because they thought their tanks looked better with water changes. AFR looks to be the cheaper, easier route. No matter what.

 

[rtparty]

Ran RM for more than 2 years. Wasn't worth it IMO. Like mentioned above, if you dare question some of the ridiculous claims, you better be ready for the tongue lashing.

 

[56longroof]

AFR for simplicity and economic reasons.

 

[areefer01]

Some because of the crazy diehard RM people that would tear into anyone who dare asked any questions deemed against the method.

This is true with most hobbies though and not unique to Reef Moonshiners. Nothing you don't already know though.

 

[56longroof]

Ran RM for more than 2 years. Wasn't worth it IMO. Like mentioned above, if you dare question some of the ridiculous claims, you better be ready for the tongue lashing.

Why such a loyal following? Do they put something addictive in it? LOL

 

[Troylee]

Why such a loyal following? Do they put something addictive in it? LOL

Idk but I love to challenge them! I really want one to change my mind! I can’t see any advantages of using it myself. People claim colors or growth but is it really? Can you prove that? Where’s the data to back it? I’m not a huge data reefer myself but I’ll say this! I’ve seen some fantastic tanks on the shine but I’ve seen many more that don’t even know what it is.. everyone has their ways and I’m stuck in my old ways haha! I love a challenge!

 

[exnisstech]

Why such a loyal following? Do they put something addictive in it? LOL

$$

 

[rtparty]

Why such a loyal following? Do they put something addictive in it? LOL

Purchase bias and defense. Hard to admit the initial $400 for supplements plus $60-80 ICPs aren't the greatest thing ever

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Like many of the reefing world claims (think bolus, for example), a lot revolves around what you are comparing to, and often that is unstated.

Is RM better than no trace supplementing? Very likely.

Are some parts of it useless?
Very likely.

Is it better than using a full mixed supplement such as Tropic Marin A and K? Very hard to compare.

 

[FishLvR]

This is why balling is king. Cheap cheap cheap.

 

[jrawk1120]

I'm using Tropic Marin Balling with trace elements. I don't have enough coral to know if it is working. All for reef would be the easier version of this. I have been looking into Reef Moonshiners again just out of curiosity. But the price tag scares me off of going all in. Which then led me to Capitv8, but I can find no information on how the system works. I get that you can send in your ICP and they make a formula for me. I am more hands on. Give me a calculator at least. Captiv8 tells you to download an app, which I did, and it was fine but you have a pay wall for ICP analysis and what not. So that's where I am at right now. The price of salt is getting insane and my on going algae issues seem to be compounded with each water change so it's enticing to break it down into each individual component. Just a quick looks tells me I will be in over $230 just the first batch of chemicals and ICP tests, it would have been over $500 but I can get most of them much cheaper myself.

There was a TON of people using it here in town. Most all of them quit. I asked my LFS why he quit he said he just hated all the dosing on all the tanks (over 2,000 gallons). He then quit, then started again, only to quit again. Everyone else sold all their chems and left too. Some because of the crazy diehard RM people that would tear into anyone who dare asked any questions deemed against the method. Some just because they thought their tanks looked better with water changes. AFR looks to be the cheaper, easier route. No matter what.

I’m just getting started with corals that would benefit more from dosing. So I’ve researched RM, AFR, Activ8, but haven’t heard of balling. Back to the drawing board

 

[areefer01]

I’m just getting started with corals that would benefit more from dosing. So I’ve researched RM, AFR, Activ8, but haven’t heard of balling. Back to the drawing board

White board, not drawing ;)

Teasing. Kalkwasser, water changes, dosing methods be it zeovit, dsr, triton, moonshine (others), 2 part, 3 part, single (all for reef). Plenty of choices out there. A lot depends on what your day looks like and how mature your display is and its demand.

Plenty of articles out there from RHF and maybe two of them to start with would be his article on 2 part and Kalkwasser. Both are good and go back many, many, years.

 

[reely989]

Heck I mix up several gallons of two part at a time. I don't imagine my wallet would like the moonshiners methods.

 

[Reign1]

I’m biased for all for reef! It works but I’m a newb!

You are a NEWB .. pretty sure I remember you from like 20 years ago on that other site doing DIY builds.

 

[Reign1]

AFR and Kalk method for now. IF it aint broke.