Question - Answer

[MichaelW]

Originally Posted by Raees

So if you wanted to raise the dKH by 3.3 dKH and had a 300 litre tank would you need 30g of KH buffer? If that's correct, how much deionized water do you use to dissolve the 30g of DKH buffer? Thanks in advance.

Technically as long as all the powder is disolved the amount of rodi water doesn't matter, it will all just eventually evaporate off and leave just the "buffer" behind. Now if you were going to use it as a mixture on a dosing pump to maintain levels that's different. But if you saying I need to add 30 grams of poder because I need to raise my dog this set amount, then 30grams of powder is 30 grams of powder weather it's in half a litre of water or a while litre of water. Just make sure it's enough water for the 30 grams to dissolve in.

[Raees]

Originally Posted by MichaelW

Technically as long as all the powder is disolved the amount of rodi water doesn't matter, it will all just eventually evaporate off and leave just the "buffer" behind. Now if you were going to use it as a mixture on a dosing pump to maintain levels that's different. But if you saying I need to add 30 grams of poder because I need to raise my dog this set amount, then 30grams of powder is 30 grams of powder weather it's in half a litre of water or a while litre of water. Just make sure it's enough water for the 30 grams to dissolve in.

Thank you, it makes sense now.

[MichaelW]

Wow just read back what I wrote the other day.. I'm sorry for all the spelling errors and absolute nonsense that my auto correct phone decided to throw in there! No idea what that whole part about raising a dog was about! Hopefully you could decipher the message and at least understand some of what I was saying.

[Aquaforest]

1.Question:

I have bought these aquaforest products:

- KH Buffer

- Calcium

- Magnesium

I need to increase the KH, Ca and MG values on my aquarium. I want add the dust directly to aquarium (one of every time). What is the correct order?



Answer:

Do You want to add those products in powdered form? We recommend to mix it with demineralization water.

Correct order is:

- Calcium

- Magnesium

- Kh Buffer


Calcium and Magnesium can be together – but Kh Buffer have to be separated – maybe 5minutes after Ca and Mg.


2. Question:

Is it necessary to use both bio s and pro bio s in order to achieve ulns?? Because i am using pro bio s. And not sure if getting bio s necessary.


Answer:

Bio S is not necessary. Bio S is nitrifying bacteria – good for start Up. Pro Bio S – probiotic bacteria.

We have to use Probiotic bacteria and food for them.


3. Question:

Would like to know if it is compulsory or optional to run zeomix & phosphate minus to get ULNS? Because according to your thread in RC, you dont seem to run zeomix nor phosphate minus.


Answer:

Of course – everything is optional


4.Question:

What is AF Build about??


Answer:

AF Build is a growth accelerator.


5. Question:

Do we have to use phosphate minus to achieve ULNS ?


Answer:

Offcourse, that is very helpful to reduce Phospate. We recommend Phosphate Minus (http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/phosphateminus/) – its reduce silicates also.


6. Question:

Do we have to use ZEOMIX to achieve ULNS ?


Answer:

Zeo Mix (http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/zeomix/ ) is very effective medium to reduce ammonia – that’s why We are recommend to use Zeo Mix.


7. Question:

Pro f = liquid carbon source (food for bacteria) ??


Answer:

Yes, Pro F is medium (food) for probiotic bacteria.


8. Question:

NP PRO = is it also another liquid carbon source (food for bacteria) ??


Answer:

Yes, - NP Pro is medium for probiotic bacteria. Supplement contains liquid polymers.


9. Question:

Coloring of SPS, is it by using COMPONENT ABC ?


Answer:

There is many ways to color corals.

Are You using calcium reactor or Balling method?

If You are using Balling… We have ready to use Component 1+2+3+ ( that’s Ca,Mg,Kh,Reef Mineral Salt with Microelements) - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/component-1-2-3/


Also You can make standard powdered Balling and You could use: Component Strong - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/components-strong/


And of course You Can use Component ABC. If You are using Calcium Reactor You Can buy 2000ml box – that’s great to dosing pumps.

http://aquaforest.eu/en/product-category/chemia-wody/


For advanced users we recommend to dose selected microelements like: Iodum, Strontium, Fluorine, Kalium, Iron, Micro E - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product-category/mikroelementy/


10. Question:

Is it true that component A will colour up the "reds" in SPS ?


Answer:

Component A (http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/componenta/) contains strontium I barium – that’s saturate all colors, also reds.


11. Question:

What colour does component B color up ?


Answer:

Component B (http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/componentb/) contains heavy metals - that’s coloring i.e. greens.


12. Question:

Component C color up the "blues" in SPS ??


Answer:

Yes, Component C ( http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/component-c/ ) contains iodine and fluorine - that’s color up blue.


13. Question:

What is the difference between the Probiotic Reef Salt and the Reef Salt?


Answer:

Reef Salt - Fully synthetic marine salt for SPS and LPS Corals


Probiotic Reef Salt - Fully synthetic marine salt for SPS and LPS Corals - contains probiotic bacteria, culture medium for them, amino and vitamins


14. Question:

What is the role of the zeomix in the system?


Answer:

Zeolites are a good medium for bacteria settle - absorb ammonia and inhibit contamination.


15. Question:

Could you tell me what product of yours would be best for LPS corals like bubbles , hammer heads and torch corals , some of my hammer heads have lost a bit of colour in them just wondering is there anything I could dose to try and bring the colour back ?


Answer:

LPS corals prefer higher nutrients levels than SPS corals and slower circulation. Feeding, and lighting is more important than low nutrient levels and organics. Meaty food, Iodine, vitamins, amino acids.

For LPS corals we recommend to dose:

AF Amino Mix - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/af_amino_mix/

AF Power Food - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/af_power_food/

Ricco Food - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/riccofood/

AF Phyto Mix - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/af_phyto_mix/


If Your KH level is low – You Can use KH Plus: http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/kh-plus/


16. Question:

I am using Phoshpate Minus, what is the average time before changing?


Answer:

It depends on the phosphate level, but as a rule it changes after 3 to 4 weeks.


17. Question:

I'd like to know how to properly use Zeomix, are the placed in a reactor and shaken daily?


Answer:

You don't have to shake zeolites.

You Can put it in RX only, You don't need special reactor.


18. Question:

Does phosphate minus need rinsing before use?


Answer:

You can do it but it is not necessary. The brown color is normal and don't make any harm It will disappear after few minutes.


19. Question:

When using aquaforest system, do we have to use zeomix / phosphate minus?


Answer:

Yes and no. Many aquarists run the own systems on undetectable or ultra low phosphate and nitrate levels without zeomix stones, phosphate minus or other equipment. All depend what type of reef tank do you have and what you would like to achieve. Some aquarists are more focus on colorations of acroporas from Australia, others wants more fish. ProBIoS is a complex bacterial product which is very effective with phosphate reduction not only nitrates. It's very beneficial to have additional media for microorganism colonization. More surface = higher bacterial population = more efficient system. Aquaforest probiotic products works very well with siporax or refugiums.



20. Question:

Pro F (liquid) and Pro Bio F (powder) both are carbon source ??


Answer:

ProBIoS +ProF are basics. With conjunction Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt gives you opportunity to maintain unwanted nutrients without effort. ProBioF is a type of organic carbon source but different type of "food" than ProF.


21. Question:

Is NP PRO part of the basics of nutrient reduction ??


Answer:

-NP Pro is a liquid polymer. Substitute for BIopellets. For everybody who loves automatisation. Product can be dose by peristaltic pump.


22. Question:
How Can I dose microelements and Ca, Kh, Mg?

Answer:

There is few ways to dose Macro and Micro:





1 - Ca Plus, KH Plus, MG Plus (macro) + Component A, Component B, Component C(micro)

2 - Calcium, Magnesium, KH Buffer, Reef Mineral Salt ( Macro) + Components Strong (micro)

3- Calcium, Magnesium, KH Buffer, Reef Mineral Salt ( Macro) + Kalium, Iodum, Fluorine, Iron, Strontium, Micro E (micro)

4 - Component 1+2+3+


23. Question:

What is correct mix Balling Method by Aquaforest products?


Answer:

CONTAINER 1:

Aquaforest Calcium - Dissolve 50g in 1000ml of deionized water

Aquaforest Magnesium - Add 10g

Component A Strong - Add 5ml

Component B Strong - Add 5ml


CONTAINER 2:

Aquaforest KH Buffer - Dissolve 80g in 1000ml of deionized water

Component C Strong - Add 5ml


CONTAINER 3:

Aquaforest Reef Mineral Salt - Dissolve 25g in 1000ml of deionized water

Component K Strong - Add 5ml


24. Question:

What is role of Reef Mineral Salt?


Answer:

Reef Mineral Salt is part of Balling Method.

Mineral salt is so important to add because it keeps the mixed water in balance from when you add the calcium chloride and sodium bicarb it will make a unbalanced sodium chloride by adding the mineral salt it will balance out the sodium chloride and because it is now balanced there won't be any ionic problems.

We recommend to dose every part of Balling Method in equal doses:


1 Fluid - Calcium, Magnesium + Components Strong - 50g Calcium + 10g Magnesium dissolve in 1000ml RODI water (13 tbsp of the product and 2.4 tbsp of Magnesium Aquaforest in 1 US gal.) + 5ml Strong A + 5ml Strong B

2 Fluid - Kh Buffer + Components Strong - 80g Kh Buffer dissolve in 1000ml RODI water (1.28 cups in 1Us gal. RODI water) + 5 ml Strong C

3 Fluid - Reef Mineral Salt + Components Strong - 25g Reef Mineral Salt dissolve in 1000ml RODI water (6.14 tbsp of the product in 1 US gal.) +5ml Strong K


25. Question:

Do I need to turn the skimmer off when dosing AF Amino Mix, AF Build, AF Vitality, AF Energy or any supplements for corals?


Answer:

No, There is no need to turn skimmer off.


26. Question:

Do I need to keep bottles in fridge?


Answer:

If temperature in Your room is not higher then 24 Celsius degrees - You Can keep it in room, not in fridge.


27. Question:

Wouldn't using both be double carbon dosing? Using vodka and NP-Pro I mean.


Answer:
There is no need to doubble dosing of carbon source.

We recommend to dose Pro Bio S ( probiotic bacteria) with -NP Pro ( liquid polymers – carbon source) That will reduce nitrate and phosphate.

28. How much Calcium should I use to rise Ca level?

Answer:
100ml Calcium solution (dissolved 50g/1L RODI water) increases by about 18,00mg/l (ppm) in 100L of water.

29. How much Magnesium should I use to rise Mg level?

Answer:
100ml Magnesium solution (dissolved 10g/1L RODI water) increases by about 1,2mg/l (ppm ) in 100L of water.

30. How much KH Buffer should I use to rise KH level?

Answer:
100ml KH Buffer solution (dissolved 80g/1L RODI water) increases by about 1,60 dKH in 100L of water.

31. What products contains B?

Answer:
Reef Mineral Salt and Component 3+ contains B.

[Aquaforest]

Updated list:

Marine Salts:

1. Question:
What is the difference between the Aquaforest Salts?


Answer:
Sea Salt – Fully synthetic salt dedicated to Fish Only tanks.

Reef Salt - Fully synthetic marine salt for SPS and LPS Corals. We recommend that Salt fox mixed reef.

Probiotic Reef Salt - Fully synthetic marine salt for SPS and LPS Corals - contains probiotic bacteria, culture medium for bacteria growth , amino and vitamins – Perfect Salt for ULNS Systems.


Probiotics and nitrification:


2. Question:
Is it necessary to use both Bio S and Pro Bio S in order to achieve ULNS?? Because I am using Pro Bio S. And not sure if getting Bio S necessary.


Answer:
Bio S is not necessary. Bio S is nitrifying bacteria – good for start Up.
Pro Bio S – probiotic bacteria.

We recommend to use also culture medium for bacteria gworth -NP Pro


3. Question:
What is difference between Pro Bio S, Pro Bio F, - NP Pro?


Answer:
Pro Bio S – probiotic bacteria
-NP Pro – liquid polymers – carbon source for probiotic bacteria growth
Pro Bio F – Probiotic bacteria + culture medium for them


4. Question:
Is - Np Pro part of the basics of nutrient reduction ??

Answer:
-NP Pro is a liquid polymer. Substitute for pellets. For everybody who loves automatisation. Product can be dose by peristaltic pump – 2000ml container

5. Question:
Wouldn't using both be double carbon dosing? Using vodka and NP-Pro I mean.


Answer:
There is no need to doubble dosing of carbon source.
We recommend to dose Pro Bio S ( probiotic bacteria) with -NP Pro ( liquid polymers – carbon source) That will reduce nitrate and phosphate.


Supplements and foods:

6. Question:
Do I need to turn the skimmer off when dosing AF Amino Mix, AF Build, AF Vitality, AF Energy or any supplements for corals?

Answer:
No, There is no need to turn skimmer off.


7. Question:
Do I need to keep bottles in fridge?

Answer:
If temperature in Your room is not higher than 24°C (75°F) - You Can keep it in room, not in fridge.


8. Question:
What is AF Build about??


Answer:
AF Build is a growth accelerator. AF Build maintains correct pH level in aquariums and improves water clarity.


9. Question:
Could you tell me what product of yours would be best for LPS corals like bubbles , hammer heads and torch corals , some of my hammer heads have lost a bit of colour in them just wondering is there anything I could dose to try and bring the colour back ?


Answer:
LPS corals prefer higher nutrients levels than SPS corals and slower circulation. Feeding, and lighting is more important than low nutrient levels and organics. Meaty food, Iodine, vitamins, amino acids.

For LPS corals we recommend to dose:

AF Amino Mix - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/af_amino_mix/

AF Power Food - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/af_power_food/

Ricco Food - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/riccofood/
AF Phyto Mix - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/af_phyto_mix/


If Your KH level is low – You Can use KH Plus: http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/kh-plus/


Microelements:

10. Question:
How Can I dose microelements and Ca, Kh, Mg?

Answer:
There is few ways to dose Macro and Micro:


1 - Ca Plus, KH Plus, MG Plus (macro) + Component A, Component B, Component C(micro)

2 - Calcium, Magnesium, KH Buffer, Reef Mineral Salt ( Macro) + Components Strong (micro)

3- Calcium, Magnesium, KH Buffer, Reef Mineral Salt ( Macro) + Kalium, Iodum, Fluorine, Iron, Strontium, Micro E (micro)

4 - Component 1+2+3+ (Macro and micro)


11. Question:
Coloring of SPS, is it by using COMPONENT ABC ?

Answer:
There is many ways to color corals.
If You are using Balling Method We have ready to use Component 1+2+3+ ( that’s ready to use formula Ca, Mg, KH, Reef Mineral Salt with Microelements) - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/component-1-2-3/


Also You can make standard powdered Balling method and You could use: Component Strong : http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/components-strong/


If You are using Calcium Reactor You Can use Component ABC for example 2000ml containers – that’s great to dosing pumps:

http://aquaforest.eu/en/product-category/chemia-wody/


For advanced users we recommend to dose selected microelements like: Iodum, Strontium, Fluorine, Kalium, Iron, Micro E - http://aquaforest.eu/en/product-category/mikroelementy/


12. Question:
Is it true that Component A will colour up the "reds" in SPS ?

Answer:
Component A (http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/componenta/) contains Strontium and Barium – that’s saturate all colors, also reds.


13. Question:
What colour does Component B color up ?

Answer:
Component B (http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/componentb/) contains heavy metals - that’s coloring i.e. greens.


14. Question:
Component C color up the "blues" in SPS ??

Answer:
Yes, Component C ( http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/component-c/ ) contains Iodine and Fluorine - that’s color up blue.


Water chemistry + additives:

15. Question:

What is correct mix Balling Method by Aquaforest products?

Answer:
We recommend to dose every part of Balling Method in equal doses:

1 Fluid - 50g Calcium + 10g Magnesium dissolve in 1000ml RODI water (13 tbsp of the product and 2.4 tbsp of Magnesium Aquaforest in 1 US gal.) + 5ml Strong A + 5ml Strong B

2 Fluid - 80g Kh Buffer dissolve in 1000ml RODI water (1.28 cups in 1Us gal. RODI water) + 5 ml Strong C

3 Fluid - 25g Reef Mineral Salt dissolve in 1000ml RODI water (6.14 tbsp of the product in 1 US gal.) +5ml Strong K


16. Question:
What is role of Reef Mineral Salt?

Answer:
Reef Mineral Salt is part of Balling Method.

Mineral salt is so important to add because it keeps the mixed water in balance from when you add the calcium chloride and sodium bicarb it will make a unbalanced sodium chloride by adding the mineral salt it will balance out the sodium chloride and because it is now balanced there won't be any ionic problems.


17.Question:
I need to increase the KH, Ca and MG values on my aquarium. I want add the dust directly to aquarium (one of every time). Can I?

Answer:
Calcium and Magnesium can be together – but Kh Buffer have to be separated – maybe 5minutes after Ca and Mg.

18. How much Calcium should I use to rise Ca level?

Answer:
100ml Calcium solution (dissolved 50g/1L RODI water) increases by about 18,00mg/l (ppm) in 100L of water.

19. How much Magnesium should I use to rise Mg level?

Answer:
100ml Magnesium solution (dissolved 10g/1L RODI water) increases by about 1,2mg/l (ppm ) in 100L of water.

20. How much KH Buffer should I use to rise KH level?

Answer:
100ml KH Buffer solution (dissolved 80g/1L RODI water) increases by about 1,60 dKH in 100L of water.

21. What products contains B?

Answer:
Reef Mineral Salt and Component 3+ contains B.


Filtration Media:

22. Question:
Do we have to use phosphate minus to achieve ULNS ?

Answer:
Of course, that is very helpful to reduce Phospates. We recommend Phosphate Minus (http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/phosphateminus/) – its reduce silicates also.

23. Question:
What is the role of the zeomix in the system?

Answer:
Zeolites are a good medium for bacteria settle - absorb ammonia and inhibit contamination.

24. Question:
I'd like to know how to properly use Zeomix, are the placed in a reactor and shaken daily?

Answer:
Zeolites*do not require shaking – they*can be placed in fluidised filter. The recommended*flow through the bed is 300-500 Ltrs*/h.

25. Question:
I am using Phoshpate Minus, what is the average time before changing?

Answer:
It depends on the phosphates level, but as a rule it changes after 3 to 4 weeks.

26. Question:
Does phosphate minus need rinsing before use?

Answer:
You can do it but it is not necessary. The brown color is normal and don't make any harm It will disappear after few minutes.


27. Question:
When using aquaforest system, do we have to use zeomix / phosphate minus?


Answer:

Yes and no. Many aquarists run the own systems on undetectable or ultra low phosphate and nitrate levels without Zeo Mix, Phosphate Minus or other equipment. All depend what type of reef tank do you have and what you would like to achieve. Some aquarists are more focus on colorations of acroporas from Australia, others wants more fish. Pro Bio S is a complex bacterial product which is very effective with phosphate reduction not only nitrates. It's very beneficial to have additional media for microorganism colonization. More surface = higher bacterial population = more efficient system. Aquaforest probiotic products works very well with siporax or refugiums.