So I take it that all 4 reef takes care of all three parts?
Innovative Marine Nuvo Int 200 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter MistakesWereMade
- Start date
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Short answer is yes. Contains calcium, alkalinity and magnesium along with trace elements.
Can you individually control them... No.
Can you individually control them... No.
Ive been using AFR for sometime now and have really liked it. Ive changed my routine as ive been going. I like the powder form as it’s cheaper and I can mix up a 3L vat and have it last a long time. I started slow. I think like half of what they recommended with the fear of over dosing (which Ive do LOL). I use a doser mostly so I dont have to do it daily. And I spread the dose out through out the day. This I do only because I can. Im pretty sure when dosing if you change the dose or increase the dose it can take a few days to show the change. Now I don't know if how I’m dosing AFR is correct or better, its just what I'm doing and have had good success doing it this way. I only test for ALK or monitor Alk and make my adjustments as needed to maintain the level that is as close to what im using for my salt mix. Cal and Mag i don't test for regularly but they do seem to be spot on when I do test for them. Im using ALF as a second dose to maintain with Kalk being my main and the ALF brings up the rear.
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I am debating using kalk. Didn't think of using both. I already have a container of the AFR powder. Figured I would start there and see how it goes.
I suppose I should just dose consistently and keep an eye on it. I don't really want to chase numbers around. I do like my minimum level of complexity.
I suppose I should just dose consistently and keep an eye on it. I don't really want to chase numbers around. I do like my minimum level of complexity.
I really like the kalk and AFR combo. I was not getting the growth I get now on AFR alone. SPS looked good and grew but once went kalk things just grew a little better. But kalk alone was not enough and the AFR seems to just keep things nice and stable. I used a kamoera x1 doser and just dose the amount I want a few times a day. Spread out to me just seems like it would be better. Very simple way to dose.
Are we using a kalk stir on the kalk or just in top off??
I'm debating but I don't have a way of monitoring ph of kalk I've be fairly lucky that my ph. Never really drops below 7.8 7.9 and normally hangs at 8 8.1 during weekly tests.
I'm debating but I don't have a way of monitoring ph of kalk I've be fairly lucky that my ph. Never really drops below 7.8 7.9 and normally hangs at 8 8.1 during weekly tests.
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Been dosing AFR at 50ml daily for about a week now. Measured at 8.3 dKH today. I think it is a reasonable number to try and remain constant for awhile and see how things adapt to it. Going to set up a doser so I don't have to keep remembering.
Not sure if I should keep at the 50ml a day or I should taper it a bit. For now I will stick with it and if I measure something closer to 9 than I will drop back. Might change a bit with the dose because I will give it some intervals.
Probably need to go through all my tests and see if anything else changed. I noticed in the last week that my chaeto has really tanked. Was this nice large bunch and now it nearly crumbles away when I touch it.
Not sure if I should keep at the 50ml a day or I should taper it a bit. For now I will stick with it and if I measure something closer to 9 than I will drop back. Might change a bit with the dose because I will give it some intervals.
Probably need to go through all my tests and see if anything else changed. I noticed in the last week that my chaeto has really tanked. Was this nice large bunch and now it nearly crumbles away when I touch it.
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I have been combating aiptasia in here for awhile. I wanted to keep the introduction of new ones to a minimum before I tried tackling the display tank. So I was focusing on the sump and the refugium tank. I totally cleaned out the sump. Added six Berghia nudibranch that I got at the expo to my 40-gallon refugium tank and let them be. I have noticed most of the aiptasia from the refugium go away. I have not seen the nudi since day two of adding them. Just figured they were doing their thing. Seen a couple hard to get to aiptasia spring up but no idea if the nudis can get to them or if they are still alive in there.
This morning my wife was feeding the fish and asked what was crawling across the glass.
Imagine my surprise. It would have needed to travel down the overflow from the refugium tank to my sump. Make it across all the chambers and through the bubble trap. Take a ride up my return pump and into the display. I doubt they hitchhiked their way in there from a frag.
I have noticed a few aiptasia from the display go missing. I figured they let themselves go and drifted to a new location. I had no idea any of these were in the tank hopefully it can find food and take care of my problem. I had bought some aiptasia X a couple of weeks ago and have just been too lazy to use it. Guess I will hold off for awhile and see if they get eaten. Only a few larger ones left and they are not really harming anything at this point.
This morning my wife was feeding the fish and asked what was crawling across the glass.
Imagine my surprise. It would have needed to travel down the overflow from the refugium tank to my sump. Make it across all the chambers and through the bubble trap. Take a ride up my return pump and into the display. I doubt they hitchhiked their way in there from a frag.
I have noticed a few aiptasia from the display go missing. I figured they let themselves go and drifted to a new location. I had no idea any of these were in the tank hopefully it can find food and take care of my problem. I had bought some aiptasia X a couple of weeks ago and have just been too lazy to use it. Guess I will hold off for awhile and see if they get eaten. Only a few larger ones left and they are not really harming anything at this point.
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Added a second DOS for dosing the AFR. Had it laying around as a backup if my AWC ever goes down. Might as well use it to get away from hand dosing.
Bought a gallon jar from amazon and added a bulkhead to the top with an acrylic rod that goes near the bottom. Added my own markings. Should last awhile without needed to refill too often. Just hanging out on top of my RO tank because I really couldn't come up with a better idea.
Ran all the tests that I have tonight.
Magnesium: 1580 ppm
Alkalinity: 9.0 dKH
Calcium: 473 ppm
Phosphate: 0.10 ppm
Nitrate: 4.51 ppm
Salinity: 1.025
pH: 7.83 Avg
Going to give it a few days to make sure the AFR is actually being added. It took forever to prime the lines and run calibration on the DOS. I think I have pulled about 100-200 ml from the jar, through the tubing. My guess is that it is adding the AFR by now. If it continues to rise, I will likely scale back the amount. For now, I am at 50ml (12.5ml x 4 @ 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm). Since I am doing AWC from 12am to 5am, I didn't want to overlap on any timing.
On a different note, my chaeto looks like it crashed. Went from a giant ball constantly needing to be trimmed to having nearly nothing in the tank. Not really sure what changed over the last few weeks besides trying to be constant with AFR.
Bought a gallon jar from amazon and added a bulkhead to the top with an acrylic rod that goes near the bottom. Added my own markings. Should last awhile without needed to refill too often. Just hanging out on top of my RO tank because I really couldn't come up with a better idea.
Ran all the tests that I have tonight.
Magnesium: 1580 ppm
Alkalinity: 9.0 dKH
Calcium: 473 ppm
Phosphate: 0.10 ppm
Nitrate: 4.51 ppm
Salinity: 1.025
pH: 7.83 Avg
Going to give it a few days to make sure the AFR is actually being added. It took forever to prime the lines and run calibration on the DOS. I think I have pulled about 100-200 ml from the jar, through the tubing. My guess is that it is adding the AFR by now. If it continues to rise, I will likely scale back the amount. For now, I am at 50ml (12.5ml x 4 @ 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm). Since I am doing AWC from 12am to 5am, I didn't want to overlap on any timing.
On a different note, my chaeto looks like it crashed. Went from a giant ball constantly needing to be trimmed to having nearly nothing in the tank. Not really sure what changed over the last few weeks besides trying to be constant with AFR.
Looking good.. for AFR I went with the already mixed option and use VOSS bottle with 3D printed holder. Works slick. But not premixing is waaaaay more expensive of course.
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Got some new top down photos.
And does anyone know what the name of the circled one is? It has really started to grow nicely. Bought at expo last year as a small frag.
And does anyone know what the name of the circled one is? It has really started to grow nicely. Bought at expo last year as a small frag.
Maybe Acropora Austera? There’s a bunch of species that are very similar to that structure.
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@MistakesWereMade lookin awesome!!!
I’m following … do you buy the bulk dry version of AFR.
My tank is just starting out and I’m still just at 2 liters per day of Kalk ( can go up to 6 based on my evap)
I have been contemplating what would my supplemental be once I outgrow Kalk maybe I never will.
Was leaning towards CaRX but I’m starting to not be a fan of suppressed PH. So was going to go the 2 part route..
The calcium formate route is new and I’m trying to learn from other ppls long term success with it and if it is operationally cost efficient compared to 2 part or CaRX
I’m following … do you buy the bulk dry version of AFR.
My tank is just starting out and I’m still just at 2 liters per day of Kalk ( can go up to 6 based on my evap)
I have been contemplating what would my supplemental be once I outgrow Kalk maybe I never will.
Was leaning towards CaRX but I’m starting to not be a fan of suppressed PH. So was going to go the 2 part route..
The calcium formate route is new and I’m trying to learn from other ppls long term success with it and if it is operationally cost efficient compared to 2 part or CaRX
OP
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I am doing daily water changes ~1% that runs from 12-5am. I have 4 intervals of AFR. 10ml @ 7am, 10ml @ 10am, 11ml @ 1pm, 11ml @ 4pm. So a total of 42ml daily. At best guess I have a total water volume close to 250 gallons taking into account the sump and refugium.
I have only been regularly checking my alk. I started with 50ml / day. Alk went from low 7 and rose to low 9s before I started dialing it back. Had it at 40ml for a bit but it dropped to 8.1 before I raised it a little. Still dialing it in but everything seems to be doing alright.
And yes, I buy the powder. Large container.
I have only been regularly checking my alk. I started with 50ml / day. Alk went from low 7 and rose to low 9s before I started dialing it back. Had it at 40ml for a bit but it dropped to 8.1 before I raised it a little. Still dialing it in but everything seems to be doing alright.
And yes, I buy the powder. Large container.
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Been quite awhile since I last did anything to the tank. Have not really added any livestock to it and minimal coral additions. Ended up losing both my clams. Sand still looks like garbage but hopefully I figure something out. My refugium is going crazy and I have aiptasia all over it. Need to get that under control before it starts making it's way back into my display tank.
Finally added a UV sterilizer. Ended up getting a slightly used 25 watt Aqua. Just got it installed tonight inline with the pump feeding the refugium tank.
A little curious how long it lasts. Not sure if should be concerned with the PVC fittings or the tubing. Took a quick pick with lights off and it has a lot of bleed through.
It's a little exaggerated with low light but I guess it will be just be something I keep my eye on over time.
Full tank shot.
Finally added a UV sterilizer. Ended up getting a slightly used 25 watt Aqua. Just got it installed tonight inline with the pump feeding the refugium tank.
A little curious how long it lasts. Not sure if should be concerned with the PVC fittings or the tubing. Took a quick pick with lights off and it has a lot of bleed through.
It's a little exaggerated with low light but I guess it will be just be something I keep my eye on over time.
Full tank shot.
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Just a little photo dump. Nothing crazy but more for my personal records.
Looks great. Love those big neon Neptheas and Milka stylo!