Calling all carbon dosing sps reefers!

[TLO45]

I’m looking to get longer term sps reefers that have been using some kind of carbon dosing successfully comments!
I just started using the Tropic Marin dosing method and am wondering how successful reefers have been with this and if you would be kind enough to not only post a picture or two of you systems but also give feedback (positive or negative) on this method or any carbon dosing method?

 

[Formulator]

I dosed with vinegar for about 2 years prior to this photo. No eye popping acros or anything, but growth and color was phenomenal in the SPS I had. I’d say it took my tank to the “next level”. Unfortunately I had an unrelated crash and rebooted my tank since then, but I will likely resume carbon dosing eventually.

I used this dosing guide which is commonly referenced online. Not sure who originally came up with it to give credit, but it works.

Expect to see your skimmer production increase significantly, so just make sure it is up to the task. Also keep an eye on your nitrate and phosphate as you might need to dose something to keep them from bottoming out. I am personally a big fan of the Brightwell products for nutrient management; NeoNitro and NeoPhos. If done right, carbon dosing can be very rewarding IMO.

 

[RoanokeReef]

I’m looking to get longer term sps reefers that have been using some kind of carbon dosing successfully comments!
I just started using the Tropic Marin dosing method and am wondering how successful reefers have been with this and if you would be kind enough to not only post a picture or two of you systems but also give feedback (positive or negative) on this method or any carbon dosing method?

I use Tropic Marin Bacto Balance, keeps my parameters where I like without bottoming out. I did use Elimi-NP first to get them to where I wanted them to be.

 

[TLO45]

I’ve started with Elimi NP and I’m now dosing the Bacto Balance.
I’m really hoping that in time the display can become better balanced nutrient wise and improve coral health and color. Also looking for a good way to provide stability.

 

[RoanokeReef]

So far, I've been steady at 0.04 and 8.8, I test once a week.

 

[TLO45]

Any want to post a picture of their display for reference?

 

[exnisstech]

Tank started 2/23 so not really long term. I cycled with fritz turbo 900 and live rock rubble. I started bacto balance daily a couple of months in.
For reference I also dose MB7 and zeobac bi weekly. I pretty much avoided an ugly stage.
I also dose to AFR.

 

[Reefahholic]

I find the Tropic Marin carbon dosing line to be pretty weak and over hyped. I tried them all, and straight vodka produced far better results in my system. Literally as soon as I switched I saw better color, and my nutrients were dropping faster.

 

[Reefahholic]

Tank started 2/23 so not really long term. I cycled with fritz turbo 900 and live rock rubble. I started bacto balance daily a couple of months in.
For reference I also dose MB7 and zeobac bi weekly. I pretty much avoided an ugly stage.
I also dose to AFR.

Nice collection here!

 

[gbroadbridge]

Nice collection here!

Vodka or Vinegar or a mix of the two do the job.

Expensive proprietary bottles are a waste of money.

 

[exnisstech]

Vodka or Vinegar or a mix of the two do the job.

Expensive proprietary bottles are a waste of money.

I don't see using AFR as a waste of money. I'm seeing good results be it AFR or just tank maturity I don't know but It's not so expensive I have to skip meals or anything.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I don't see using AFR as a waste of money. I'm seeing good results be it AFR or just tank maturity I don't know but It's not so expensive I have to skip meals or anything.

AFR is not direct carbon dosing, it is a full blown supplement for Alk, Ca, Mg and traces which has carbon dosing as a side effect of the chemical conversion process.

I too use AFR for my Nano, and the carbon dosing effect is an annoying side effect as it means I have to add Nitrate by hand to keep it above zero.

 

[Reefahholic]

Vodka or Vinegar or a mix of the two do the job.

Expensive proprietary bottles are a waste of money.

I’ve used both combined, but currently switched back to potato vodka.

 

[Reefahholic]

AFR is not direct carbon dosing, it is a full blown supplement for Alk, Ca, Mg and traces which has carbon dosing as a side effect of the chemical conversion process.

I too use AFR for my Nano, and the carbon dosing effect is an annoying side effect as it means I have to add Nitrate by hand to keep it above zero.

AFR can’t keep up with my system. Fixed trace ratio’s that they determine beforehand won’t work for everyone. It overdoses (depending how you want to define overdose) young systems, and can’t keep up with thriving systems that have a larger biomass. By keep up…I’m referring to a lot of the trace elements which will come back low or depleted. Then you need to use two products instead of one.

A better name would be Half for Reef. HFR….

 

[GARRIGA]

Don’t have SPS but that shouldn’t matter. Carbon dosing about affect on nutrients. How one administers that determines if they can maintain SPS. Literally nothing is SPS specific. Everything is a gradient such as flow or PAR based on need for that kept.

Been dosing NoPox two plus years. For main I’ll just use diy of that, if needed. Expecting Fuge/ATS will solve my needs as co2 scrubbing my bigger concern.

Something I only recently figured out which was odd being it lowers my pH since I was dosing an acid. Duh…

Considering every tank has a different input of N then not possible that how one doses will replicate similar results for another. Seems heavy N fed tanks likely thrive with lower nitrates vs those starved of N and why seeing pictures being futile as to proof their method will work for one. That’s like asking for a protein drink and asking for muscle poses thinking one is going to look the same. Wish it was that easy

 

[Reefahholic]

I too use AFR for my Nano, and the carbon dosing effect is an annoying side effect as it means I have to add Nitrate by hand to keep it above zero.

Do you know what the carbon source is?

Do they list the source in the product description or ingredients list?

 

[DanyL]

Do you know what the carbon source is?

Do they list the source in the product description or ingredients list?

Calcium Formate is by itself serves as a carbon source from my understanding.

 

[Reefahholic]

Calcium Formate is by itself serves as a carbon source from my understanding.

Hmm….not familiar with it.

 

[DanyL]

Hmm….not familiar with it.

That’s the active ingredient that makes AFR work, very similar to Calcium Acetate, and what is being processed by bacteria to turn into available calcium bi/carbonate.

 

[gbroadbridge]

AFR can’t keep up with my system. Fixed trace ratio’s that they determine beforehand won’t work for everyone. It overdoses (depending how you want to define overdose) young systems, and can’t keep up with thriving systems that have a larger biomass. By keep up…I’m referring to a lot of the trace elements which will come back low or depleted. Then you need to use two products instead of one.

A better name would be Half for Reef. HFR….

I don't believe there is any combination system that can work with every system.

In heavily stocked systems it may be necessary to dose additional elements - what is lacking is any real evidence as to what is necessary biologically.