Tropic Marin All for Reef

[Indiana Reefin]

I use it as well and I have zero complaints. I have a 9 gallon nano so I am only dosing 2 ml a day. It would probably get pricey though if I had a 75 gallon plus tank

 

[rhitee93]

I had to mix some AFR powder up today so I took a quick video showing my setup. I'll let it stir until tomorrow morning, but the powder will be dissolved in a few hours at which time I'll turn off the heater.

 

[rhitee93]

Here is another short clip after just a few minutes that shows the stir bar better. The last of the powder will dissolve over the next few hours.

 

[BriDroid]

The best thing I did was get a heated magnetic stirrer. I set it to 100 degrees and let it mix until it is dissolved. Normally about 2 hours.

 

[rhitee93]

This is about 2 hours into mixing. All of the powder is now dissolved:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, the solubility of calcium formate hardly changes at all with temperature.

But that aside, it will likely dissolve faster at higher temperature simply because all of the molecular level processes that relate to dissolution will go faster at higher temps.

 

[pooootiqe]

The problem with heated stir plate is that I’d forget about it and come back with nice AFR crystals!

 

[rhitee93]

The problem with heated stir plate is that I’d forget about it and come back with nice AFR crystals!

I've done that, but there is no need to run it so hot that the water will evaporate. I've left mine go overnight because I forgot. The next morning I had to add another 100ml of RODI to get it back up to 1L, but that was all that happened.

 

[pooootiqe]

I usually set the stir plate speed just below where the stir bar would go apes**t and it takes about 15 min ish to see no remaining powder.

 

[BriDroid]

I've done that, but there is no need to run it so hot that the water will evaporate. I've left mine go overnight because I forgot. The next morning I had to add another 100ml of RODI to get it back up to 1L, but that was all that happened.

I set mine to about 38C, which is about 100F. Not really sure if it helps much, but it's a fun gadget to play with

 

[areefer01]

I just let my rodi water come to room temp, weigh the product, let it mix for 20 or 30 minutes, then add it to my storage container.

 

[exnisstech]

I use a stir plate and warm the water to mid 70s. I weigh the powder and use the increments on the beaker to measure the water. I have no idea why but on several occasions the powder will not fully dissolve after stiring for 15-20 minutes. If I add some more rodi the powder completely dissolves. Any time I have trouble getting it to dissolve I add a little more water. IME when it will not fully dissolve after mixing for 15-20 minutes it will not dissolve by letting the stirrer run for an hour. I always have to add a little more water.

 

[Troylee]

I just let my rodi water come to room temp, weigh the product, let it mix for 20 or 30 minutes, then add it to my storage container.

I’m still a newb.. I use an old Pyrex mixing cup and use a fork to stir it for a minute and continue mixing it while pouring it into my dosing container. I have some powder in my mixing container the first night but it’s all dissolved by morning.

 

[zooted]

I been using AFR for about a month now and it’s raised my alk to 11dkh but ca and mag are still on the low end of the scale ca is 410 mag is 1200 but kh is 11

 

[areefer01]

I’m still a newb.. I use an old Pyrex mixing cup and use a fork to stir it for a minute and continue mixing it while pouring it into my dosing container. I have some powder in my mixing container the first night but it’s all dissolved by morning.

Newbie here also. I just sort of make the batch as I start my day. Honestly no need over complicate it in my opinion. I just weigh it as I make larger batches and found it easier to use the magnet pill to stir.

Next batch I make will be somewhat easier as I'm going to make the full container, 10 liters. Should be interesting :D

Hope you are doing well.

 

[ingchr1]

When comparing AFR to what I am currently dosing, surprisingly (or maybe not) the cost comes out to about the same. Maybe someone can validate what I calculated is in the ballpark.

Here is what I used in my calculation (approximations):

Tank Volume = 30 gallons
Alkalinity Consumption = 2dKH/day
Dose = 46ml/day

Cost per gallon/liter:

Soda Ash = $0.90 / $0.24 (baked baking soda @ $9.00 per 13.5lbs)
CaCl = $6.5 / $1.72 (Triton CaCl)
A- Elements = $7.00 / $1.85 (assume 200ml per gallon)
K+ Elements = $7.00 / $1.85 (assume 200ml per gallon)
Part C = $3.10 / $0.81

Total Cost = $24.50 / $6.50

Cost per Dose Current Dosing = $0.30
Cost per Dose AFR = $0.34

I'm actually running through the last of my BRS soda ash, so that actually pushes my current cost up above what AFR would be. Using current BRS soda ash price it would be more like $0.40 per dose.

Unfortunately, I just bought a box of CaCl and have seven more gallons to go through...

 

[areefer01]

When comparing AFR to what I am currently dosing, surprisingly (or maybe not) the cost comes out to about the same. Maybe someone can validate what I calculated is in the ballpark.

Here is what I used in my calculation (approximations):

Tank Volume = 30 gallons
Alkalinity Consumption = 2dKH/day
Dose = 46ml/day

Cost per gallon/liter:

Soda Ash = $0.90 / $0.24 (baked baking soda @ $9.00 per 13.5lbs)
CaCl = $6.5 / $1.72 (Triton CaCl)
A- Elements = $7.00 / $1.85 (assume 200ml per gallon)
K+ Elements = $7.00 / $1.85 (assume 200ml per gallon)
Part C = $3.10 / $0.81

Total Cost = $24.50 / $6.50

Cost per Dose Current Dosing = $0.30
Cost per Dose AFR = $0.34

I'm actually running through the last of my BRS soda ash, so that actually pushes my current cost up above what AFR would be. Using current BRS soda ash price it would be more like $0.40 per dose.

Unfortunately, I just bought a box of CaCl and have seven more gallons to go through...

1600 g powder container of All For Reef is $75.00 USD pre shipping and tax.
1600 g makes 10 liters.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

1600 g powder container of All For Reef is $75.00 USD pre shipping and tax.
1600 g makes 10 liters.

When comparing AFR to what I am currently dosing, surprisingly (or maybe not) the cost comes out to about the same. Maybe someone can validate what I calculated is in the ballpark.

Here is what I used in my calculation (approximations):

Tank Volume = 30 gallons
Alkalinity Consumption = 2dKH/day
Dose = 46ml/day

Cost per gallon/liter:

Soda Ash = $0.90 / $0.24 (baked baking soda @ $9.00 per 13.5lbs)
CaCl = $6.5 / $1.72 (Triton CaCl)
A- Elements = $7.00 / $1.85 (assume 200ml per gallon)
K+ Elements = $7.00 / $1.85 (assume 200ml per gallon)
Part C = $3.10 / $0.81

Total Cost = $24.50 / $6.50

Cost per Dose Current Dosing = $0.30
Cost per Dose AFR = $0.34

I'm actually running through the last of my BRS soda ash, so that actually pushes my current cost up above what AFR would be. Using current BRS soda ash price it would be more like $0.40 per dose.

Unfortunately, I just bought a box of CaCl and have seven more gallons to go through...

My calculations showed that AFR costs more than a DIY two part using ingredients from BRS, and is even cheaper full diy. I haven’t tried to work through yours to see why they differ.

That said, AFR is a fine choice that I also use.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I compare costs of many additives here:

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

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

 

[areefer01]

I compare costs of many additives here:

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

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

The calculation you used for AFR is 1 L for 37 USD. As noted above the price per liter drops when one uses the powder. You rightly noted the product form used but the chart is also using "dry" components and there is little effort for the hobbyist to convert the powder to liquid and lower the cost.

It may not change your graph but as I read it the graph is a bit misleading. Not your intent I know.