For a novice, which supplementation technique do you think is the easiest?

[SomeHappyFish]

Seeking responses from seasoned reefers who have employed multiple approaches.

We are talking about the simplest supplementation method for a novice hobbist to understand and apply, not the optimal one.

 

[twentyleagues]

AFR especially if you dont get caught up in the how and what to test. Test alk 24hr after dosing. Simple. Set your parameters, figure out how much to dose (mostly trial and error start low), Dose and test. I have also done 2 part in the past both by hand and with a doser, and a carx with kalk. This is so easy.

 

[dakoop]

I vote 2 part. Calcium reactor worked well for me in the past also

 

[Dragen Fiend]

I've only ever used Kalkwasser and AFR. Both seemed fine to me but depending on your tank with testing AFR might throw you off compared to kalkwasser until you understand how it works.

 

[littlebeard]

I personally would suggest getting familiar with the big 3 (ALK, CA, MG) testing and start with 2 part so you can get familiar with those. It's best to understand early and make mistakes early rather than loosing hundreds of dollars in frags learning the hard way.

Even AFR requires you to check your parameters and get them in check before starting dosing and sometimes even while using it consumption can and will change.

Water changes are a beginners best friend.

 

[exnisstech]

Water changes are a beginners best friend.

^This ^ many can get by on water changes alone for quite a while.
I've used kalk, 2 part, and AFR all at once on 3 seperate tanks. If I had to choose one for ease and controlability it would be 2 part. I have only used ESV so I can't comment on the diy recipes.
I love AFR but it still requires me to have 2 part on hand to tweak levels a bit when my AFR dose amount needs to be increased.
Kalk is very easy but I had to have a dosing pump and storage container. ATO didn't cut it because my evap rate fluctuates too much. With AFR and 2 part I manually dose each morning, easy peasy and no equipment needed. 2 part on a high demand system would benifit from a doser.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Water changes are a beginners best friend.

^This ^ many can get by on water changes alone for quite a while.

I'm not against water change, and I couldn't agree more, but this discussion is focused on alternative methods of supplementation. The topic of water change already has sufficient threads. Once a novice reaches a certain stage, changing the water isn't a viable alternative to maintain stability for seven days. I'm trying to get feedback using the approaches I described earlier.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

^This ^ many can get by on water changes alone for quite a while.
I've used kalk, 2 part, and AFR all at once on 3 seperate tanks. If I had to choose one for ease and controlability it would be 2 part. I have only used ESV so I can't comment on the diy recipes.
I love AFR but it still requires me to have 2 part on hand to tweak levels a bit when my AFR dose amount needs to be increased.
Kalk is very easy but I had to have a dosing pump and storage container. ATO didn't cut it because my evap rate fluctuates too much. With AFR and 2 part I manually dose each morning, easy peasy and no equipment needed. 2 part on a high demand system would benifit from a doser.

How stable was the salinity with 2 part? Has a novice it seems hard to balance the correct salts.

If one had a doser would kalk be easier then 2 part in your opinion ?

 

[exnisstech]

How stable was the salinity with 2 part? Has a novice it seems hard to balance the correct salts.

Not sure what you mean by this. 2 part has never effected my salinity that I'm aware of.

If one had a doser would kalk be easier then 2 part in your opinion ?

If I were using a doser for 2 part then I would say maybe but since I'm manually dosing 2 part not for me.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

2 part increase salinity from what I understand but it's not fast.

How a Two Part Alkalinity and Calcium System Works, and Why it Matters

How a Two Part Alkalinity and Calcium System Works, and Why it Matters By Randy Holmes-Farley This article is intended to help aquarists understand some of the important differences between the great variety of two and three part alkalinity and...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[DJF]

2part. Esv bionic.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If the question is only focussed on what is easiest, I can’t see anything except AFR winning. It isn’t the most cost effective and it isn’t going to boost coral growth via pH effects, but it is easier than almost anything else.

I recommend only dosing it by alk demand, not by calcium.

 

[exnisstech]

2 part increase salinity from what I understand but it's not fast.

How a Two Part Alkalinity and Calcium System Works, and Why it Matters

How a Two Part Alkalinity and Calcium System Works, and Why it Matters By Randy Holmes-Farley This article is intended to help aquarists understand some of the important differences between the great variety of two and three part alkalinity and...

www.reef2reef.com

I've only been doing this for 8 years but I've never had an increase in salinity from dosing two part. Maybe my tanks are large enough or my dosage low enough. I will say tho I do not monitor anything. All my measurements are manual tests. Maybe I would see something if I had a salinity monitor but I like simple.

 

[Miami Reef]

I agree. AFR is the easiest. It supplies everything with good ionic balance. No need for separate magnesium dosing. I would choose this for a beginner. It’s very fool-proof.

 

[Formulator]

Seeking responses from seasoned reefers who have employed multiple approaches.

We are talking about the simplest supplementation method for a novice hobbist to understand and apply, not the optimal one.

“Hand dosing” is an option with most of these methods, not really a distinct dosing method in itself.

My response would be hand dosing 2 part. Hand dosing because newer tanks don’t consume enough alk/ca to warrant an autodoser. 2-part because it teaches the fundamental concept of measuring consumption and calculating a measured dose of alk and calcium to replenish. More practically, newer reefs may experience imbalances in alk and calcium that need separate adjustment. That said, I do think AFR would be my close second recommendation.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've only been doing this for 8 years but I've never had an increase in salinity from dosing two part. Maybe my tanks are large enough or my dosage low enough. I will say tho I do not monitor anything. All my measurements are manual tests. Maybe I would see something if I had a salinity monitor but I like simple.

Salinity does rise by an amount one can calculate, and it is quite significant over a period of weeks to months, but if the doses are low, salt exports such as skimmers and water changes may offset it.

 

[MONTANTK]

AFR by far. The less complicated the better

 

[Gumbies R Us]

AFT is what I started with since it was the easiest thing to dose for my tank. Once you figure out how much your tank consumes, it’s very easy to keep up with the demand using AFR