Dosing ESV Two-Part *and* Tropic Marin All For Reef

[CoralDanimal]

I maintain a 225-gallon high-energy, SPS-dominant reef tank that has been running for over two years. Many of my corals have grown to colony size with robust growth, leading to substantial alkalinity consumption.

For alkalinity and calcium supplementation, I currently dose approximately 4L of saturated kalkwasser daily, along with 100ml each of ESV B-Ionic Part A and Part B, and 50ml of magnesium.

Recently, I’ve started incorporating Tropic Marin All-For-Reef (AFR) into my dosing regimen with these goals in mind:

• AFR includes trace elements not found in ESV, so combining methods should provide a broader spectrum of trace supplementation.
• My ESV solutions are stored in 4L space-saver jugs, but at my current dosing rates, I have to refill them about every 40 days, which has become inconvenient. By adding AFR (e.g., dosing 50ml/day), I anticipate reducing my ESV dosing by 25–30%, which would extend the interval between refills.
• I travel frequently for work, and having an additional dosing method offers flexibility. If one of my dosing pumps (e.g., kalkwasser or ESV) were to fail, I could remotely increase another method using Apex to maintain stability.

Here’s my question: Are there any issues with simultaneously dosing ESV Two-Part and All-For-Reef in my system? Specifically, I’m curious about the compatibility of the buffering mechanisms (e.g., bicarbonate vs. calcium formate). Could there be precipitation or other unintended interactions?

Lastly, I’m not considering a calcium reactor at this time. While I understand they are more cost-effective, I prefer the simplicity and reliability of two-part dosing and want to avoid the complexities of CO2 canisters and additional failure points.

Thanks for any help or insights you're able to provide!

 

[MyFirstCar]

It's tricky to dose AFR and something else because the AFR needs about 12-24 hrs in the tank to turn into alk. You often end up in scenarios where you monitor, dose what you need in kalk+2 part, and then end up over dosing with the AFR.

In principle though, I don't see any issue with dosing the two components + AFR chemically.

 

[Snowxcross]

I maintain a 225-gallon high-energy, SPS-dominant reef tank that has been running for over two years. Many of my corals have grown to colony size with robust growth, leading to substantial alkalinity consumption.

For alkalinity and calcium supplementation, I currently dose approximately 4L of saturated kalkwasser daily, along with 100ml each of ESV B-Ionic Part A and Part B, and 50ml of magnesium.

Recently, I’ve started incorporating Tropic Marin All-For-Reef (AFR) into my dosing regimen with these goals in mind:

• AFR includes trace elements not found in ESV, so combining methods should provide a broader spectrum of trace supplementation.
• My ESV solutions are stored in 4L space-saver jugs, but at my current dosing rates, I have to refill them about every 40 days, which has become inconvenient. By adding AFR (e.g., dosing 50ml/day), I anticipate reducing my ESV dosing by 25–30%, which would extend the interval between refills.
• I travel frequently for work, and having an additional dosing method offers flexibility. If one of my dosing pumps (e.g., kalkwasser or ESV) were to fail, I could remotely increase another method using Apex to maintain stability.

Here’s my question: Are there any issues with simultaneously dosing ESV Two-Part and All-For-Reef in my system? Specifically, I’m curious about the compatibility of the buffering mechanisms (e.g., bicarbonate vs. calcium formate). Could there be precipitation or other unintended interactions?

Lastly, I’m not considering a calcium reactor at this time. While I understand they are more cost-effective, I prefer the simplicity and reliability of two-part dosing and want to avoid the complexities of CO2 canisters and additional failure points.

Thanks for any help or insights you're able to provide!

Hey there! I can speak a little to this but long story short, no, no impact. I dose A4R, kalk, and Alk throughout the day. The SPS growth over the past two years has been super demanding. I started with A4R which couldn't keep up, the kalk I added to help with PH initially but my corals really enjoyed it, and it helped keep my Alk stable. I then had to dose alk directly as growth continued. I don't use ESV, but tropic marins balling alk. All levels are stable with minimum fluctuations and zero precipitation issues.

Hope this helps.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

There’s no issue combining most any alk additive systems, include the ones mentioned here: kalk, AFR, and a two part.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It's tricky to dose AFR and something else because the AFR needs about 12-24 hrs in the tank to turn into alk. You often end up in scenarios where you monitor, dose what you need in kalk+2 part, and then end up over dosing with the AFR.

In principle though, I don't see any issue with dosing the two components + AFR chemically.

Do you use kalk+2? If you do, don’t rely on it for magnesium. There’s very little in it, and it won’t usefully dissolve into kalkwasser due to insolubility of magnesium hydroxide.

 

[rishma]

Many of us use All-for-reef in addition to other calcium and alkalinity supplements. Should work well for you

 

[X-37B]

I maintain a 225-gallon high-energy, SPS-dominant reef tank that has been running for over two years. Many of my corals have grown to colony size with robust growth, leading to substantial alkalinity consumption.

For alkalinity and calcium supplementation, I currently dose approximately 4L of saturated kalkwasser daily, along with 100ml each of ESV B-Ionic Part A and Part B, and 50ml of magnesium.

Recently, I’ve started incorporating Tropic Marin All-For-Reef (AFR) into my dosing regimen with these goals in mind:

• AFR includes trace elements not found in ESV, so combining methods should provide a broader spectrum of trace supplementation.
• My ESV solutions are stored in 4L space-saver jugs, but at my current dosing rates, I have to refill them about every 40 days, which has become inconvenient. By adding AFR (e.g., dosing 50ml/day), I anticipate reducing my ESV dosing by 25–30%, which would extend the interval between refills.
• I travel frequently for work, and having an additional dosing method offers flexibility. If one of my dosing pumps (e.g., kalkwasser or ESV) were to fail, I could remotely increase another method using Apex to maintain stability.

Here’s my question: Are there any issues with simultaneously dosing ESV Two-Part and All-For-Reef in my system? Specifically, I’m curious about the compatibility of the buffering mechanisms (e.g., bicarbonate vs. calcium formate). Could there be precipitation or other unintended interactions?

Lastly, I’m not considering a calcium reactor at this time. While I understand they are more cost-effective, I prefer the simplicity and reliability of two-part dosing and want to avoid the complexities of CO2 canisters and additional failure points.

Thanks for any help or insights you're able to provide!

A carx is much simpler than what you are doing. I dose esv 2 part on 2 small systems but run a carx on my 150. I run no ph probe or controller. Simply set your bubble count and adjust your Kamoer for effluent. Alk stays very stable with this method.
Something to consider for a system your size.

 

[rishma]

A carx is much simpler than what you are doing. I dose esv 2 part on 2 small systems but run a carx on my 150. I run no ph probe or controller. Simply set your bubble count and adjust your Kamoer for effluent. Alk stays very stable with this method.
Something to consider for a system your size.

Nice looking set up. Dont see a lot of reefs running 2 protein skimmers.

I don’t know that I agree calcium reactors are simpler. I’ve used all the methods and I’m not sure I have a favorite except probably kalkwasser.

 

[X-37B]

Nice looking set up. Dont see a lot of reefs running 2 protein skimmers.

I don’t know that I agree calcium reactors are simpler. I’ve used all the methods and I’m not sure I have a favorite except probably kalkwasser.

Thanks. My carx method is very simple. Good 2 stage regulator and reactor with a Kamoer pump.
Not much to do but let it run. Turn up the co2 and effluent when needed.
I ran the carx from day one after adding 150lbs of live rock. Only need to adjust when the demand is needed.
My current 9 month old 150 and
my old 120. Same carx method with very stable alk and again not much to do but let it run.

 

[rishma]

Thanks. My carx method is very simple. Good 2 stage regulator and reactor with a Kamoer pump.
Not much to do but let it run. Turn up the co2 and effluent when needed.
I ran the carx from day one after adding 150lbs of live rock. Only need to adjust when the demand is needed.
My current 9 month old 150 and
my old 120. Same carx method with very stable alk and again not much to do but let it run.

Definitely works!

I never ran one without monitoring pH but that is not the complexity in my view. The up front cost, equipment setup, refilling reactor, CO2 tank refilling, circulation pump, etc is not simpler in my mind than dosing liquids. Not that it’s complex enough to discourage me either. What I do like about a calcium reactor is being able to leave it untouched for long periods of time once dialed in.

Next time I do a larger tank I would consider a calcium reactor or I may mix very large bins of a 3 part dosing system. Given my current obsession with pH, I’d probably dose liquids if I were building it today. Mixing up a solution and setting the dosing rate is pretty darn simple

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Since we are discussing the merits of different methods, I’ll post this link here:

Pros and Cons of Alkalinity and Calcium Dosing Methods

Pros and Cons of Alkalinity and Calcium Dosing Methods How to decide which is best for you and your aquarium. By Randy Holmes-Farley Supplementing calcium and alkalinity is one of the most important chemistry requirements for most reef...

www.reef2reef.com

A summary from it:

 

[CoralDanimal]

Thank you everyone! Very, very helpful

PS – @Randy Holmes-Farley you are a legend. Thank you for everything you do for our hobby.