Aquaforest probiotic method

[Myka]

I think only the Reef Salt and Sea Salt is available in 25kg boxes, not the Probiotic Reef Salt, correct? Anyone see the Probiotic Reef Salt in a 25kg box? I don't see it on amazon.com either.

[Geo]

they have it on the other side, sort of, out of stock. maybe thats why its not on amazon.

http://aquaforest-reef.co.uk/shop/pr...eef-salt-25kg/

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Geo

they have it on the other side, sort of, out of stock. maybe thats why its not on amazon.

http://aquaforest-reef.co.uk/shop/pr...eef-salt-25kg/

Hmm, ok. Thanks. I noticed also that their "KH Buffer" and "NP Pro" aren't showing up at all on Amazon.ca though it seems all the other products are viewable (but out of stock). I posted on RC in the Aquaforest forum to ask about when the other products will be available.

[Myka]

Cool! No I haven't ordered it yet. I just want to use up the last 1/2 bucket of H2Ocean first. I'm hoping if I wait a bit that the other products might be available by then too

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[dcw1sfu]

I just placed an order for the following items:

25kg reef salt
Pro bio S
Pro F
Components stong
And 5000g mineral salt

Will keep you posted when they arrive.

I'm going to order the Coral A, Coral B, Coral V and Coral E as well but I'll wait until I get these items first.

I went with the reef salt rather then the probiotic as I don't think the Probiotic salt would be good to keep pre-mixed in a brute can. And I've read of issues when performing larger volume water changes. I'll just add my own probiotics directly to the tank which I'm sure is the same products they add to their salt.

Going to transition off of my all in one biopellets to this system as I'm finding the pellets are being a little to aggressive in stripping my water no matter how much I feed.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by dcw1sfu

I went with the reef salt rather then the probiotic as I don't think the Probiotic salt would be good to keep pre-mixed in a brute can. And I've read of issues when performing larger volume water changes. I'll just add my own probiotics directly to the tank which I'm sure is the same products they add to their salt.

I do very large water changes 3-4 times per year around 50-75%. I asked on RC in the Aquaforest forum about doing this with the Probiotic Reef Salt, and if I should use the Reef Salt instead, and they just insisted that they do not recommend large water changes. Also, yeah you can't keep any type of probiotic salt mixing in a tub. I'm looking forward to eliminating a pre-mix tub.

Aquaforest also recommends use of such products like 15mm Siporax, which when used in a reactor with slow flow, you will create an anaerobic zone for your tank (like a controlled DSB). Some people use SeaChem Matrix, but lab tests by RC member "reefvet" concluded that Siporax was much more efficient. It's the same idea as MarinePure and Matrix, but apparently this Siporax stuff is easier to keep clean and more efficient at denitrification, and also provide a medium for PO4/NO3 reducing bacteria. I'm going to put mine into a PhosBan reactor.

For anyone looking, I was not able to find Siporax available anywhere in Canada. I found the cheapest (with shipping) overseas supply was eBay seller wttomy1 from Austria. I ordered 2L, and it was €6.90 per 1L Siporax, and about €20.00 for shipping. It worked out to CAD$52.41 on my CC in mid-October.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Sera-08472-Si...R9yZBPEIUA76rQ

This is supposedly the most efficient way to use them (all lined up in a reactor).


Some people just dump them into a container in the sump.


A closeup.

[Proteus]

I did this same thing with hydroton, grew lots of fauna inside

[dcw1sfu]

Received my bucket of Aquaforest reef salt today. Should be receiving the rest of the products in the next week or two as well as Siporax.

Did a small 5 gallon water change to test parameters and overall I was impressed. It mixed clean and clear in a matter of minutes and all parameters were very close to the ones on the quality control sheet. Overall seems like a high quality salt and perfect for carbon dosing. Obviously to early to tell if it will have positive effects on my tank.

Parameters at 1.026 salinity all tested with Salifert

Calcium 415
Magnesium 1320
Alk 7.4dkh
Potassium 400

A picture of the quality control test results is posted below.

[Myka]

That particular freebie, BioS, is not probiotic bacteria, it is nitrifying bacteria and would be good to use for someone that's just starting their tank. The NP Pro that comes with the probiotic salt is not nitrifying bacteria, it is probiotic bacteria (the same that feeds off biopellets) which lower nitrate and phosphate.

Instant Ocean often has a tshirt in the bucket. That doesn't mean you have to wear it.

[Reefer Rob]

Originally Posted by Myka

That particular freebie, BioS, is not probiotic bacteria, it is nitrifying bacteria and would be good to use for someone that's just starting their tank. The NP Pro that comes with the probiotic salt is not nitrifying bacteria, it is probiotic bacteria (the same that feeds off biopellets) which lower nitrate and phosphate.

Even though I run a natural system, I was going to try the sample, but now I'm not so sure. Perhaps it's not something I want to get my tank addicted to. Reverting to natural strains of bacteria might cause a problem when the sample runs out.