Aquaforest 1+2+3 and adding additional trace (non-DIY)

[ashr]

Hey all,

I am currently using the liquid AF 1+2+3 and looking to add more trace elements that I seem to be lacking via my ICP test found here: https://lab.faunamarin.de/en/share/analysis/106736.

Since I am doing the ready made liquid, I didn't think adding their additional "Components Strong" as it seems to be only useful when using their DIY dry chemicals.

Any thoughts of what I can use to bump up things like: Iodine, Potassium, Zinc, Copper and all the other lower elements? I could buy their small 10ml and manually dose but I am hoping for something a bit more simple or maybe ill need to add it to a new doser?

Tank is a Red Sea 170 mainly LPS ( I used to house many SPS until a crash a couple years ago) I have a lot of nice torches and such and just want healthy coral with some good colors.

Cheers,

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hey all,

I am currently using the liquid AF 1+2+3 and looking to add more trace elements that I seem to be lacking via my ICP test found here: https://lab.faunamarin.de/en/share/analysis/106736.

Since I am doing the ready made liquid, I didn't think adding their additional "Components Strong" as it seems to be only useful when using their DIY dry chemicals.

Any thoughts of what I can use to bump up things like: Iodine, Potassium, Zinc, Copper and all the other lower elements? I could buy their small 10ml and manually dose but I am hoping for something a bit more simple or maybe ill need to add it to a new doser?

Tank is a Red Sea 170 mainly LPS ( I used to house many SPS until a crash a couple years ago) I have a lot of nice torches and such and just want healthy coral with some good colors.

Cheers,

There is a diy additives thread if you want to experiment with trace elements.

Post your DIY additives here!

With the popularity of the Triton method and ICP testing gaining steam, a thread containing DIY elemental supplements would be very helpful. Commercial supplements are very expensive and many elements can be sourced cheaply via Amazon, eBay, etc. Examples include fergon pills, potassium...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I’m not sure what the issue is that you think the component strong solutions are not appropriate. IMO, component A is not likely useful but the others, especially B, seem fine.

 

[robanister]

I use these how old is your tank. Are you doing wc?

 

[robanister]

I use these how old is your tank. Are you doing wc?

I would say 6 wc 15 percent and retest. Are you using premixed 123 or mix your own?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would say 6 wc 15 percent and retest. Are you using premixed 123 or mix your own?

For what purpose?

 

[ashr]

I just was not sure if I would want to use something like Components Strong when I am using the AF 1+2+3 pre-made liquid. I was under the understanding it was only used if you do the AF 1+2+3 dry.

Water changes are 10% every few weeks. (I sometimes get lazy after being in the hobby for many years.. A habit I am trying to break)

The tank is 5+ years at this point.

I just wanna keep up on my trace if the tank is depleting it more then what I am able to add in via the 1+2+3.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If you want what’s in those additives, they are fine to use.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I just was not sure if I would want to use something like Components Strong when I am using the AF 1+2+3 pre-made liquid. I was under the understanding it was only used if you do the AF 1+2+3 dry.

Water changes are 10% every few weeks. (I sometimes get lazy after being in the hobby for many years.. A habit I am trying to break)

The tank is 5+ years at this point.

I just wanna keep up on my trace if the tank is depleting it more then what I am able to add in via the 1+2+3.

AF 1+2+3 is simply the AF Powder Products (KH Buffer, Calcium, and Reef Salts) premixed into a solution with Components Strong already added.

You do not want to add Components Strong as well, as you will be doubling the dose of the trace elements.

I have been manually mixing for several years as I can obtain the raw powder ingredients much cheaper in bulk online. I then add components strong.

The link I posted above is valuable if you decide to manually increase particular trace elements. I found for instance that manually adding additional Manganese made difference to some types of LPS coral.

I would not expect to see much in the way of additional color 'pop' above what you are seeing with AF 1+2+3 unless your tank has some unusually high consumption of a particular trace required by a particular coral.

 

[ashr]

AF 1+2+3 is simply the AF Powder Products (KH Buffer, Calcium, and Reef Salts) premixed into a solution with Components Strong already added.

You do not want to add Components Strong as well, as you will be doubling the dose of the trace elements.

I have been manually mixing for several years as I can obtain the raw powder ingredients much cheaper in bulk online. I then add components strong.

The link I posted above is valuable if you decide to manually increase particular trace elements. I found for instance that manually adding additional Manganese made difference to some types of LPS coral.

I would not expect to see much in the way of additional color 'pop' above what you are seeing with AF 1+2+3 unless your tank has some unusually high consumption of a particular trace required by a particular coral.

I will check out the link you posted above. Thank you for the info

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You do not want to add Components Strong as well, as you will be doubling the dose of the trace elements.

He says his icp shows them low, so there’s no reason he should not use the af components instead of a different brand to raise them