I have a lot of questions about dialing in my AF dosing method which includes basically their whole line up of products. I have asked in several different threads, but thought I would create one to maybe help others using AF. Also, I would appreciate any insight on how they have tweaked this method as they get things dialed in. Some background:
I have a 140 gallon tank; 35 gallon sump (only 20 gallons of water. It is a mixed reef, tank is just over 1 year old (I do have previous reef experience – 300 gallon in early 2000’s). Most acros are frag size but finally starting to grow (around 20 different types). It is heavily stocked with 25-30 fish (4 tangs, two foxface and the rest are small fish). It is heavily filtered with a filter roller and a octopus 250 skimmer and refugium. I started the AF probiotic method about a month ago using 1/2 of the GFO, Zeo and carbon. My NO3 and PO4 were around 65 and .35. Fear of overdosing carbon, I reduced dosing vinegar from 40ml to 20ml and now to 0ml after feedback. My most recent NO3 and PO4 were 54.1 and .10 (12/20); 25 and 0.07 on 12/23; 50 and 0.03 12/24. I changed my media on 12/17 and am now almost full strength on the GFO, Zeo and carbon "triple threat" so it is starting to work.
Part of the probiotic method is dosing the AF NitroPhos minus at 20ml per day. They don't say not to vinegar dose, but it also doesn't provide guidance if you are. Other dosing schedule: AF Energy, Build and vitality every other day at 6:00am. This is the same time I add the bio, NP pro, AF Power Elixir, KZ Flatworm and the pro F powder on a daily basis. I dose the AF growth boost aminos and pure food powder every weekend on Sunday. I just dosed the mud and will continue weekly. I am stopping the NitrPhos reducer for now. Component 1,2 and 3 are dosed at 160 ML/day to provide an idea of consumption. My ALK, CA and MG range between 7.75-8.25 (based on ICP tests and verifications – probably more in the 8.50 – 9.00 range, but consistent); 440-460 and 1350-1375 on a daily basis. Pretty steady and dialed in.
Feeding: I feed at least twice a day with a mixture of frozen foods (nikari) and a small amount of pellets. In the mixture I add aminos for fish and corals (both Brightwell – two squirts each), garlic, selcon and dried mysis with tank water. This batch two scoops of the AF growth boost and pure food powders. My food mix is stored in the refrigerator and will last me 4-6 days. I try to use the highest quality ingredients. I will also feed several small sheets of Nori every other day.
Considering I am struggling to keep NO3 down (PO4 is coming down), would you suggest moving back to the 40 ml of vinegar to see if that helps reduce the NO3 or give the "triple threat" time to work them down? Part of my adjustments were also related to some growth on the underside of my rocks "fluffy brown stuff" you can see in my other posts thinking that was a bacteria build up. This has been very frustrating.
I know there is a relationship between PO4 and nitrates where, I believe, you don’t want low PO4 and high NO3. I am kind of there now. As noted, I feed heavy so with PO4 dropping, I have started adding reef roids as another feeding regimen, but limited. Again, trying to find balance and avoid bottoming either one out. I test in the AM around 6:00-6:30 before I dose my bacteria and coral foods.
As you can probably tell, I am really all over the board right now. So, my primary questions:
-Vinegar or no vinegar?
-Thoughts on the schedule of testing and dosing.
-Could this dosing of bacteria contribute to this “gray fuzz” on the underside of the rocks?
-Does this seem like too much feeding?
-Is there such thing as “too much bacteria”?
-Should I be concerned about high NO3/PO4? Good idea to use reefroids to balance PO4?
-If nutrients continue to drop and start to reach zero, should I shut down the reactor part of the day? Or, rely on the heavy in to take care of nutritional needs and just watch for the signs of too low of nutrients?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
I have a 140 gallon tank; 35 gallon sump (only 20 gallons of water. It is a mixed reef, tank is just over 1 year old (I do have previous reef experience – 300 gallon in early 2000’s). Most acros are frag size but finally starting to grow (around 20 different types). It is heavily stocked with 25-30 fish (4 tangs, two foxface and the rest are small fish). It is heavily filtered with a filter roller and a octopus 250 skimmer and refugium. I started the AF probiotic method about a month ago using 1/2 of the GFO, Zeo and carbon. My NO3 and PO4 were around 65 and .35. Fear of overdosing carbon, I reduced dosing vinegar from 40ml to 20ml and now to 0ml after feedback. My most recent NO3 and PO4 were 54.1 and .10 (12/20); 25 and 0.07 on 12/23; 50 and 0.03 12/24. I changed my media on 12/17 and am now almost full strength on the GFO, Zeo and carbon "triple threat" so it is starting to work.
Part of the probiotic method is dosing the AF NitroPhos minus at 20ml per day. They don't say not to vinegar dose, but it also doesn't provide guidance if you are. Other dosing schedule: AF Energy, Build and vitality every other day at 6:00am. This is the same time I add the bio, NP pro, AF Power Elixir, KZ Flatworm and the pro F powder on a daily basis. I dose the AF growth boost aminos and pure food powder every weekend on Sunday. I just dosed the mud and will continue weekly. I am stopping the NitrPhos reducer for now. Component 1,2 and 3 are dosed at 160 ML/day to provide an idea of consumption. My ALK, CA and MG range between 7.75-8.25 (based on ICP tests and verifications – probably more in the 8.50 – 9.00 range, but consistent); 440-460 and 1350-1375 on a daily basis. Pretty steady and dialed in.
Feeding: I feed at least twice a day with a mixture of frozen foods (nikari) and a small amount of pellets. In the mixture I add aminos for fish and corals (both Brightwell – two squirts each), garlic, selcon and dried mysis with tank water. This batch two scoops of the AF growth boost and pure food powders. My food mix is stored in the refrigerator and will last me 4-6 days. I try to use the highest quality ingredients. I will also feed several small sheets of Nori every other day.
Considering I am struggling to keep NO3 down (PO4 is coming down), would you suggest moving back to the 40 ml of vinegar to see if that helps reduce the NO3 or give the "triple threat" time to work them down? Part of my adjustments were also related to some growth on the underside of my rocks "fluffy brown stuff" you can see in my other posts thinking that was a bacteria build up. This has been very frustrating.
I know there is a relationship between PO4 and nitrates where, I believe, you don’t want low PO4 and high NO3. I am kind of there now. As noted, I feed heavy so with PO4 dropping, I have started adding reef roids as another feeding regimen, but limited. Again, trying to find balance and avoid bottoming either one out. I test in the AM around 6:00-6:30 before I dose my bacteria and coral foods.
As you can probably tell, I am really all over the board right now. So, my primary questions:
-Vinegar or no vinegar?
-Thoughts on the schedule of testing and dosing.
-Could this dosing of bacteria contribute to this “gray fuzz” on the underside of the rocks?
-Does this seem like too much feeding?
-Is there such thing as “too much bacteria”?
-Should I be concerned about high NO3/PO4? Good idea to use reefroids to balance PO4?
-If nutrients continue to drop and start to reach zero, should I shut down the reactor part of the day? Or, rely on the heavy in to take care of nutritional needs and just watch for the signs of too low of nutrients?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
