Tropic Marin All for Reef

[gordoncheers]

Has anyone used this product before? Seems like a simpler way of dosing elements.

 

[BriDroid]

Yes, there a lots of us that use it. I'm using it in my nano mixed reef. It keeps my parameters right where I like them. I'm dosing 2ml a day, spread out into 4 - 0.5ml doses. My last tests were Alk 7.8dKH, Ca 448, and Mg 1470. I've been very happy with it, and it only takes one dosing pump!

 

[Zgraggen Bruno]

Has anyone used this product before? It seems to be an easier way to dose elements.

HelloYes, I used this product for over a year. Now I've switched to OCEAMO. I have a 500-liter mixed reef. Adjusting imbalances (KH, magnesium, etc.) is almost impossible with just one product. I think it could work well for a small nano tank.Best regards from Switzerland

 

[twentyleagues]

I use and like it. Pretty easy to use and unless you are dosing a ton of it you really dont need to split up the dosage as it takes time for bacteria to break it down so its not an immediate increase in parameters. You can split it up if you want though.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Like all methods, it has pros and cons. Simplicity is its primary benefit.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/pros-and-cons-of-alkalinity-and-calcium-dosing-methods.1069/

 

[areefer01]

Like all methods, it has pros and cons. Simplicity is its primary benefit.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/pros-and-cons-of-alkalinity-and-calcium-dosing-methods.1069/

Why do you have One part (AFR liquid) listed? It also comes in a powder form as you know. The 800g container makes 5 liters. The 1600g makes 10 liters. It can't be due to difficulty as it is no more complicated to make than the other dry products listed. USD pricing the 1600g container is 75 pre tax and shipping.

Curious is all as I've seen this referenced a few times now and not sure how the cost of material is determined.

 

[Kasrift]

Like all methods, it has pros and cons. Simplicity is its primary benefit.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/pros-and-cons-of-alkalinity-and-calcium-dosing-methods.1069/

Oooh I like this chart.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why do you have One part (AFR liquid) listed? It also comes in a powder form as you know. The 800g container makes 5 liters. The 1600g makes 10 liters. It can't be due to difficulty as it is no more complicated to make than the other dry products listed. USD pricing the 1600g container is 75 pre tax and shipping.

Curious is all as I've seen this referenced a few times now and not sure how the cost of material is determined.

I don't understand the question. It is a one part additive. It is not a two or three or four part additive.

The one liquid part can be made from one dry part and water, but that isn't what a two part means.

If all you are doing is complaining about my cost comparisons, then have at it. It is costly whether you buy the liquid or the solid. Yes, the solid is less so.

There is no confusion about how I did the cost comparison if you read the actual article:

Cost of Materials

For costs, I thought a single table might be the best way to show it. However, cost is a very complicated topic since it depends on where one buys them, what quantity is purchased, if shipping is extra or not, and how much one actually uses. For that reason, I think qualitative values will be most generally useful for this purpose. I have included some actual costs from one supplier (BRS) that sells many of these to see what I mean by relative costs. For a multipart product, it means for all parts. In this case, it is the cost to boost 100 gallons by 2 dKH one time.

Folks considering just one or two methods can then double check costs from their preferred source for the amounts needed.

Cost calculation info:
Kalkwasser; 10 grams calcium hydroxide
AFR: 126 mL
Carbocalcium: 17.6 g
TM Balling 272 mL of Parts A and B and C. A uses 20.7 g ($0.32); B uses 20.6 g ($0.26); C uses 6.5 g ($0.12)
DIY three part food grade baking soda ($17/15 pounds; 22.7 grams, costs $0.06) calcium chloride (food grade) $71 for 50 pounds; 19 g for $0.06 ) Balling Part C (from above, C uses 6.5 g ($0.12)
DIY three part industrial baking soda calcium chloride Mag Flake, Epsom salt
B-ionic 96.6 mL
CaCO3/CO2 media 13.5 g

 

[pooootiqe]

Yes definitely stick with the powdered version if you decide to go with AFR, it's 4x to 5x cheaper than the liquid verison.

Powdered AFR is a bit slow to dissolve however in my experience, I always leave it on a magnetic stirrer for 15 minutes-ish. Definitely make sure it's fully dissolved before hooking up the dosing line.

 

[IceNein]

The interesting thing about that chart to me is that it kinda shows what I would expect, that AFR's main drawback, which is cost of materials or value per unit of dkH is mitigated when you use it in nano tanks. It's still more expensive per unit, but that's offset by needing less dosing pumps, less space for additive containers etc, and just generally needing less of it to make up for loss.

 

[areefer01]

I don't understand the question. It is a one part additive. It is not a two or three or four part additive.

I did not say it was multi part as I'm aware of how it works, I use it. I am questioning why you have it listed as expensive and in the liquid form.

Are you basing the cost in your formula on the liquid form or the 1600g powder. It makes a difference.

Edit: as I read it when you use the word liquid I take that as a literal, "liquid product offering" which very well could be incorrect.

 

[IceNein]

Feels like we're quibbling over nothing about the cost here. If you use the dry 1600g container, it works out to roughly $1.89, which is still nearly twice the cost of the next nearest competitor (the two part).

I definitely think that reading his analysis of alk supplements requires critical thinking on the part of the reader to weigh which of the axes he analyzed the supplements on are most important to them. I run a 15 gallon nano. The cost per unit is nearly insignificant for me, so it measuring up poorly in that regard is a total non-issue.

 

[areefer01]

Feels like we're quibbling over nothing about the cost here. If you use the dry 1600g container, it works out to roughly $1.89, which is still nearly twice the cost of the next nearest competitor (the two part).

To be clear I'm not quibbling over it. I was trying to understand the reason for it being labeled expensive is all. As I mentioned as I read it I take it as using the "liquid" form. That is expensive compared to using the powder offering. I very well could be misinterpreting it. Not challenging RHF.

As you mention yes, it very would could be more expensive than a two part + trace element solution. No tax or shipping using BRS pricing and no discounts. I very well could have math wrong as I was just throwing this together and not trying to land on Mars... Again not challenging that either.

 

[BryanM]

Has anyone used this product before? Seems like a simpler way of dosing elements.

Many people, including myself, use this product.

It is cheaper if you get the powder, but it is also a pain to mix.

 

[areefer01]

It is cheaper if you get the powder, but it is also a pain to mix.

How so? A magnetic stirrer / mixer helps as does room temperature RODI water.

 

[gordoncheers]

Would AFR be suitable for a 160 gallon?

 

[BryanM]

How so? A magnetic stirrer / mixer helps as does room temperature RODI water.

It is still a pain IMO. But warm/hot water and a stirrer definitely helps.

 

[BryanM]

Would AFR be suitable for a 160 gallon?

I use it on my 220, so clearly I think yes.

That said, it depends a lot more on your consumption, and at some point it will likely make sense to switch products.

 

[redseaenroute]

Related question... Is there a consensus amongst AFR users on when the cost/benefit of the product changes based on tank size/water volume?

Said another way... What is the opinion on max tank size that using AFR over other options starts to become less viable. I'm looking to start dosing on a 110 gal system. Just curious

 

[exnisstech]

Has anyone used this product before? Seems like a simpler way of dosing elements.

I switched my acro tank from ESV 2part to AFR over a year ago and have been very happy. Tank is 65g total and I'm currently dosing 30ml daily. I don't mind paying extra for a product if it makes things easier and the results are positive.