Switching from RedSea Reef Complete

[rishma]

Dp

 

[rishma]

The app does Wierd things so I’ll post the same comment again.

Soda ash is sodium carbonate. It’s a higher pH alkalinity supplement used in many commercial and DIY alk recipes.

Kalkwasser is dirty? I’ve used it in every tank for 30 years and never thought of it as dirty. I like it. It’s simple, 2in1, consistent when mixed saturated and cheap. Oh and pH boost can be nice if you use enough. The main downside is its low potency means most tanks need other methods as demand increases.

 

[rtparty]

Just read a thread where you mentioned you switching to NYOS. Did you? Do you still run it? Do you still like it?

Assuming you can get it on BRS or Saltwater Aquarium .com?

Thanks for your input!!

I did switch to NYOS on my NYOS440 system.

Check out www.seriousreefs.com where I’ve written multiple articles on the different additive systems

ESV does not take trace elements into account BTW. That is a common misconception.

I do not plan to run ICP testing on my tank. If I do, it will be once per year. I add the NYOS trace elements into the 2 parts. I went with the low end recommendation since my tank is young with very small corals currently.

 

[CodyF.]

Just use the basic BRS two part. To make it even cheaper you can use calcium chloride driveway salt. I have been doing that for 20 years in my Acro tanks. All you are paying for is the package with the others. Then add some brightwell replenish or something once a week for traces. I never understood why anyone uses these branded two parts

And this stuff is nothing like kalk. It’s exactly the same as what you are paying for in the bottle

For my understanding, driveway salt…? Like salt from lows for icy/snowing days?

Interesting

 

[CodyF.]

The app does Wierd things so I’ll post the same comment again.

Soda ash is sodium carbonate. It’s a higher pH alkalinity supplement used in many commercial and DIY alk recipes.

Kalkwasser is dirty? I’ve used it in every tank for 30 years and never thought of it as dirty. I like it. It’s simple, 2in1, consistent when mixed saturated and cheap. Oh and pH boost can be nice if you use enough. The main downside is its low potency means most tanks need other methods as demand increases.

I will definitely check out the article!! You’re getting me interested in the NYOS 2 part.

When I mean Calk is dirty. I mean, it gets into the return pump and makes a film around the tank. Also can clog the dosing line. I used it in my ATO, so it was very hard on those pumps as well.

 

[CodyF.]

@rtparty, just read the article. thanks!! I believe it was very helpful and gave good information.

question, do you think I should start dosing the same amount of ALK from RedSea? How do you feel about AFR? I have a tub of it that I really never used. I stopped using it because I heard there was an imbalance in the solutions? specifically with MAG.

I currently use the Tropic Marin Pro Salt. In your opinion, would it make more since to use the AFR with the Pro salt? Im sure it would be more cost affective.

That said, I just priced it out. and my goodness!!!! With a box of 160G pro salt and all elements it is the same price as just the RedSea Coral Care alone!!!!

I have about a month and a half before I will make the switch. so I'm trying to narrow it down.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Is there any specific brand you guys would recommend? I’m looking for something that will also provide trace as well. (Kinda leaning to the B-Ionic)

I have nothing against any particular commercial two part, but I’d personally use a diy if I were to use one. At the moment I use AFR.

 

[CodyF.]

Is there any specific brand you guys would recommend? I’m looking for something that will also provide trace as well. (Kinda leaning to the B-Ionic)

I have nothing against any particular commercial two part, but I’d personally use a diy if I were to use one. At the moment I use AFR.

Randy, thanks!! Your input is valued - for sure!!

Have you heard of, or experienced, an imbalance with AFR and major elements? How’s your PH holding up? Currently at night, using RedSea coral care, my PH is 8.0 and during the day it’s around 8.4-8.6.

How would you switch from one system to the other? Would you start by dosing 30ml per day? That’s how much ALK I dose in my 50G. Or, would you go to like 25ml? My ALK runs around 7.7-8.3ish. (I feel like I’m always adjusting with the coral care. Like I’m always chasing a number)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

For my understanding, driveway salt…? Like salt from lows for icy/snowing days?

Interesting

Unless cost is a big objective (which I know for some it is), I would still use quality materials for a diy two part. Food grades and such.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Randy, thanks!! Your input is valued - for sure!!

Have you heard of, or experienced, an imbalance with AFR and major elements? How’s your PH holding up? Currently at night, using RedSea coral care, my PH is 8.0 and during the day it’s around 8.4-8.6.

How would you switch from one system to the other? Would you start by dosing 30ml per day? That’s how much ALK I dose in my 50G. Or, would you go to like 25ml? My ALK runs around 7.7-8.3ish. (I feel like I’m always adjusting with the coral care. Like I’m always chasing a number)

AFR is slightly overbalanced with calcium relative to alk. Exactly to the same degree as kalkwasser.

It may be over or under dosing magnesium, depending on how much of your alk and calcium demand comes from coralline algae, which is a relatively larger user of magnesium than are hard corals.

I don't measure my pH 24/7. It usually runs around 8.0.

Companies seem to change products and slightly change the names just to confuse us. Do you have an exact potency for the alk part of what you are using? If so, we can determine how much AFR matches it.

 

[CodyF.]

@Randy Holmes-Farley, I looked on the box and didn’t see how potent the ALK solution is. Maybe I didn’t see it?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

@Randy Holmes-Farley, I looked on the box and didn’t see how potent the ALK solution is. Maybe I didn’t see it?

Do you see anything for calcium potency?

 

[sjfishguy]

Just use the basic BRS two part. To make it even cheaper you can use calcium chloride driveway salt. I have been doing that for 20 years in my Acro tanks. All you are paying for is the package with the others. Then add some brightwell replenish or something once a week for traces. I never understood why anyone uses these branded two parts

And this stuff is nothing like kalk. It’s exactly the same as what you are paying for in the bottle

For my understanding, driveway salt…? Like salt from lows for icy/snowing days?

Interesting

Yes. These days I have been using snow joe from Home Depot. 50 lbs for like $30. Look on the bag and make sure it’s 95%+ calcium chloride. Anhydrous will be 98% and you mix up a little less. Been doing this since Randy wrote his original RC article like 20 years ago. Back then it was what we had.

 

[OfficeReefer]

Hello all,

I’m looking to replace RedSea 4part, Red Sea coral care. It’s becoming too expensive!! I have a 50gallons-sps dominated-and a 15gallon, mixed, both running coral care.

I struggle to keep my calcium up on the 50. It runs around 380 with my Alk at 7.7-8.3.

I’ve used AFR for a bit on my 15, but switched to RedSea a while ago.

I’m thinking about trying out either Aquaforest 1,2,3 or B-Ionic 2 part. My concern is a PH drop, RedSea has a PH buffer, and just the change in general.

Anyone else made this switch? How did the corals hold up?

These are the two tanks.

@CodyF. I made this mistake about three years ago myself with a new Reefer 250 and RS dosing combo. Go back to A4R and you'll be happier with that and water changes. Plus, you'll free up dosing pumps for other additions.

 

[CodyF.]

Just use the basic BRS two part. To make it even cheaper you can use calcium chloride driveway salt. I have been doing that for 20 years in my Acro tanks. All you are paying for is the package with the others. Then add some brightwell replenish or something once a week for traces. I never understood why anyone uses these branded two parts

And this stuff is nothing like kalk. It’s exactly the same as what you are paying for in the bottle

For my understanding, driveway salt…? Like salt from lows for icy/snowing days?

Interesting

Yes. These days I have been using snow joe from Home Depot. 50 lbs for like $30. Look on the bag and make sure it’s 95%+ calcium chloride. Anhydrous will be 98% and you mix up a little less. Been doing this since Randy wrote his original RC article like 20 years ago. Back then it was what we had.

WOW!! I never would have thought! That’s crazy to me!! Thanks for that!

 

[CodyF.]

Hello all,

I’m looking to replace RedSea 4part, Red Sea coral care. It’s becoming too expensive!! I have a 50gallons-sps dominated-and a 15gallon, mixed, both running coral care.

I struggle to keep my calcium up on the 50. It runs around 380 with my Alk at 7.7-8.3.

I’ve used AFR for a bit on my 15, but switched to RedSea a while ago.

I’m thinking about trying out either Aquaforest 1,2,3 or B-Ionic 2 part. My concern is a PH drop, RedSea has a PH buffer, and just the change in general.

Anyone else made this switch? How did the corals hold up?

These are the two tanks.

@CodyF. I made this mistake about three years ago myself with a new Reefer 250 and RS dosing combo. Go back to A4R and you'll be happier with that and water changes. Plus, you'll free up dosing pumps for other additions.

Thanks for that! It was a learning curve I guess. I also run the dose 4 on both tanks. So it will 100% free up dosing spots on a really nice but expensive dosing pump.


Did you Jane any negative by switching back to AFR. Or going to AFR should I say?

 

[rtparty]

After seeing Polo Reef crash their tanks after using “food grade” raw materials, I don’t buy it’s safe enough.

The NYOS system is one of the cheapest on the market especially after you add in the costs of adding trace elements

 

[AlexG818]

Hello all,

I’m looking to replace RedSea 4part, Red Sea coral care. It’s becoming too expensive!! I have a 50gallons-sps dominated-and a 15gallon, mixed, both running coral care.

I struggle to keep my calcium up on the 50. It runs around 380 with my Alk at 7.7-8.3.

I’ve used AFR for a bit on my 15, but switched to RedSea a while ago.

I’m thinking about trying out either Aquaforest 1,2,3 or B-Ionic 2 part. My concern is a PH drop, RedSea has a PH buffer, and just the change in general.

Anyone else made this switch? How did the corals hold up?

View attachment 20251114_213041_6DFC98A4-81DD-4CA8-B621-D8ED0DE62824.mov



View attachment 20251114_213112_BF81F9D0-7375-4B40-9431-E81900BABE8B.mov

These are the two tanks.

I use to run 4 part Red Sea but when I added refugium 4 part did recommend. So I started doing AFR and it’s working perfect.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

After seeing Polo Reef crash their tanks after using “food grade” raw materials, I don’t buy it’s safe enough.

The NYOS system is one of the cheapest on the market especially after you add in the costs of adding trace elements

I don’t know anything about that situation, but I’d be surprised if either true food grade material caused a problem, or if any company is using substantially higher purity grades.

 

[rtparty]

I don’t know anything about that situation, but I’d be surprised if either true food grade material caused a problem, or if any company is using substantially higher purity grades.

They ICP tested the whole thing and it had massive amounts of impurities that are “safe” and food grade but absolutely wrecked their tanks