Some of my Acro Collection

[coral reeftank]

Anyone got a link for this concoction stuff? Just need a 123 breakdown of what it is.

Here's a quick rundown

 

[Pat613]

I notice Fauna Marin Bacto Blend and Bacto Therapy contain hydrolitic enzymes. Any chance these could provide the ZeoZym component as well as the bacteria? ZeoZym is both $pendy and hard to find in stock.

Cheers

 

[jackson6745]

I notice Fauna Marin Bacto Blend and Bacto Therapy contain hydrolitic enzymes. Any chance these could provide the ZeoZym component as well as the bacteria? ZeoZym is both $pendy and hard to find in stock.

Cheers

Zeozym is 30% right now on brs and in stock.

 

[Pat613]

Zeozym is 30% right now on brs and in stock.

I'm in Canada, and poor enough that even that is a cost I'll skip if those will do the job. I appreciate the info though

 

[coral reeftank]

I'm in Canada, and poor enough that even that is a cost I'll skip if those will do the job. I appreciate the info though

you should be able to achieve a similar end product without zeozym

 

[Pat613]

you should be able to achieve a similar end product without zeozym

I did an 8h aeration and the tank seemed to like it. I have no idea if it’s as effective as the zeozym, but hopefully a few weeks of feeding this slurry of the Fauna Marine offshore biotope recipe proves effective. My current recipe for an sps dominant IM 20 running Bolus is as follows:

4 drops FM Organic
4 drops FM Amin
4 drops FM Bacto Blend/Therapy (alternating daily)
1 drop FM Min S
1 pump FM Ocean Plnkton (general tank food)
1/8 tsp calcium carbonate
1/16 tsp coral sprint (only twice a week)

 

[pooootiqe]

Curious if conventional microbe culture media (basically synthetic saltwater + peptone/yeast extract) + Zeobak + flocculant would yield similar results?

 

[coral reeftank]

3 months of progress on this torch, feeding my concoction about once per day.

April

May

June


Super cool to track the tissue growth!

July update, if you look closely each month you can see gradient of new and old flesh development.

 

[SaltyArms]

Sounds like you are trying to replicate V1 or V2 of my concoction. Just a heads up, the DIY Version is not very shelf stable. You don't need to make an overabundance as this may expose you to more possibility of contamination if you are not taking the proper protocols. Ideally, I would finish my batch in 3 days.

These limitations are why I developed V3, it is my own shelf stable recipe which allows me more flexibility.

Yeah, that's what I'm doing, the v1/v2 approach. Much like you've discussed on how this started, I have a lot of miscellaneous coral foods I've bought over the last years that I'm using up. I should probably buy your v3 product and use that, but if I can use up what I have first, that would be good.

I'll limit batches/quantities to the 3-day timeframe to be safe.

 

[DCR]

I am interested to know if there are any observed benefits to V3 over V2 with regard to the corals other than the extended shelf life and ease of preparation and handling.

 

[Stephers]

I am interested to know if there are any observed benefits to V3 over V2 with regard to the corals other than the extended shelf life and ease of preparation and handling.

I've been doing V2 4 times a week for about 5 months with great results. I just ordered some V3 from Allan, and I'll see if I notice any difference. I had great results from V2, but I just have a lot going on and simply forget to set it up more often than not these days.

 

[TeamAquaSD]

Another Fix for you guys.









RR CANADA Wolverine

JKR Joe's Rainbow

RR USA Raven

SC Orange Passion

JF Fox Flame/ GB Burning Candle

RR CANADA Rainbow Loom

RR CJ Pinky

Cant wait to see how the frags grow in!!

 

[moosevandyke]

My tank is now starting to really take the solution well and by this I mean my nutrients are staying in control. When I first started my phosphate was jumping up like a hot rocket but this is no longer happening. I also didnt see my nitrate moving at all which usually sits at a steady 25. The past 2 weeks it dropped down to about 2.5 and I could tell a few of my lps mainly brain corals shrunk up... I dosed enough sodium nitrate to bump 5 ppm with ammonia. I am guessing there is some level of carbon dosing in v3 that is dropping the nitrates why it is finally doing it now open to any suggestion... my phosphate is also where I like it now at 0.10-0.15 seems to be a good spot for my tank.. anyway I was wondering with dosing ammonia should it be done the day before, day after or at the same time as when I dose v3. I am dosing about a dime size small ball of v3 little less the 1/4 teaspoon twice weekly. curious as to what ya all think.

 

[coral reeftank]

My tank is now starting to really take the solution well and by this I mean my nutrients are staying in control. When I first started my phosphate was jumping up like a hot rocket but this is no longer happening. I also didnt see my nitrate moving at all which usually sits at a steady 25. The past 2 weeks it dropped down to about 2.5 and I could tell a few of my lps mainly brain corals shrunk up... I dosed enough sodium nitrate to bump 5 ppm with ammonia. I am guessing there is some level of carbon dosing in v3 that is dropping the nitrates why it is finally doing it now open to any suggestion... my phosphate is also where I like it now at 0.10-0.15 seems to be a good spot for my tank.. anyway I was wondering with dosing ammonia should it be done the day before, day after or at the same time as when I dose v3. I am dosing about a dime size small ball of v3 little less the 1/4 teaspoon twice weekly. curious as to what ya all think.

It seems that dosing the Concoction has caused your tank to shift it’s equilibrium point, I noted this in my personal experience many pages ago now. Similarly to me, you noted the rapid shifts and stabilization at a new lower value. This indicates that your system has become more efficient at processing and recycling nutrients. This means in order to reach your previous nutrient values you’ll have to increase your feed input. Which leads to a positive feedback loop as your corals and inhabitants continue growing and demanding more resources. This is the goal we are shooting for as we expect that increasing input should increase output or at least run “clean” where minimal residual or waste remains. The issue lies in the long-term sustainability of our methods.
I don’t dose ammonia so I can’t really inform you on the best route to take. My personal opinion, dosing a single compound such as ammonium bicarb or sodium nitrate, etc to achieve your nutrient goals may lead to a short sighted vision for our reefs. There will be limiting reagents that we may fail acknowledge which will inevitably lead to issues. That’s why my primary input into my systems now is just my Concoction as it is a comprehensive tool in my arsenal.

I think @Perry will like this bit-
We often overlook the nuance and discard the other processes and cycles that take place as we hyperfocus on certain topics. A corollary to the agricultural world, the advent of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has been a gift and a curse. While these products greatly increased agricultural output, the excess and misuse of these products has led to the pollution of water ways and crop lands. In the quest for ever increasing yields we have inadvertently destroyed the renewable resources that gave us this illusion of infinite yields in the first place. Not to say these products/ingredients do not have their use cases, but without proper downstream considerations there may be issues. That is why there has been such a major push towards sustainable agricultural methods lately. With the human population increasing we still have to provide solutions to increase yields while being stewards to our natural resources. “Living Soil” techniques grant similar outcomes as synthetic fertilizers with the added benefit of bioremediation. We can learn a lot from agricultural best practices and apply them to our reefs. In reefing I believe similar comparisons can be drawn. Blindly listening to “dose this or that”, even your two-part or trace solutions could be a large proponent to “old tank syndrome” as cycles and processes are bogged down due to blind anthropogenic inputs.

Over accumulation or deficiencies of certain elements and nutrients manifest themselves similarly amongst plants and corals. By creating the proper environment and catering to the biome we can prevent many issues from appearing. With many people looking to the past for the keys to success, I believe a major proponent was that reefers back in the day designed their tank to emulate a reef environment. Today, reefers aim to show off a collection. Nothing wrong with either mind set, but the framing and solution to problems will greatly differ as the “Biotoper” mindset intrinsically possesses long-term goals and the “Collector” mindset shot-term.

Try and connect the dots, examine the picture above and draw upon your reefing experience. If you’ve been reefing long enough you’ll be able to determine whether your corals are deficient or over exposed to certain elements just by visual inspection.


At the end of the day, train your eyes and care for the ecosystem!! The Macro and Micro dynamics of our hobby are truly fascinating and by diving into these topics and understanding this interplay we’ll be able to develop a much richer context to the beautiful art of Reefkeeping

 

[reefluvrr]

This indicates that your system has become more efficient at processing and recycling nutrients. This means in order to reach your previous nutrient values you’ll have to increase your feed input. Which leads to a positive feedback loop as your corals and inhabitants continue growing and demanding more resources.

Alan, as you increase your feed input, how much of a pH drop do you notice from having more overall ecosystem metabolic reactions? Do you also see a certain time period for it to bounce back up to a normal level in your tank? I.E. when I increase my feed input, my initial high pH 8.2 would drop down to 8.1 at it's highest throughout the day, then it would take at least 36 hours for the pH to go back up to my normal range again.

 

[coral reeftank]

Alan, as you increase your feed input, how much of a pH drop do you notice from having more overall ecosystem metabolic reactions? Do you also see a certain time period for it to bounce back up to a normal level in your tank? I.E. when I increase my feed input, my initial high pH 8.2 would drop down to 8.1 at it's highest throughout the day, then it would take at least 36 hours for the pH to go back up to my normal range again.

I typically don’t see this in my systems. My systems typically range between 8.1-8.5, this is due to the airflow and circulation in the room.
Generally, increased input will lead to increased respiration. Your tank will basically have to breathe more since it is eating more, there’s no way around thermodynamics.
If you’re trying to minimize ph impact then I think it would be best to feed during peak photosynthesis when ph is usually highest. This is usually what I do. Corals can be trained to feed during anytime of the day so you are not just relegated to nighttime feeding. However, the night is when corals optimally feed. This is an inherent compromise as corals are usually more optimized for prey capture at night since their feeders are already out, you’ll have to account for the coral’s reaction time feeding during the day.

It’s important to account the compromises we take. Every technique comes with its own inherent compromises. It’s just up to the individual to analyze their specific situation and philosophy and deploy the best plan of attack for themselves. There is no one size fits all, only a one size fits most!

 

[reefluvrr]

My systems typically range between 8.1-8.5, this is due to the airflow and circulation in the room.

Thank you great information to know.

 

[Perry]

It seems that dosing the Concoction has caused your tank to shift it’s equilibrium point, I noted this in my personal experience many pages ago now. Similarly to me, you noted the rapid shifts and stabilization at a new lower value. This indicates that your system has become more efficient at processing and recycling nutrients. This means in order to reach your previous nutrient values you’ll have to increase your feed input. Which leads to a positive feedback loop as your corals and inhabitants continue growing and demanding more resources. This is the goal we are shooting for as we expect that increasing input should increase output or at least run “clean” where minimal residual or waste remains. The issue lies in the long-term sustainability of our methods.
I don’t dose ammonia so I can’t really inform you on the best route to take. My personal opinion, dosing a single compound such as ammonium bicarb or sodium nitrate, etc to achieve your nutrient goals may lead to a short sighted vision for our reefs. There will be limiting reagents that we may fail acknowledge which will inevitably lead to issues. That’s why my primary input into my systems now is just my Concoction as it is a comprehensive tool in my arsenal.

I think @Perry will like this bit-
We often overlook the nuance and discard the other processes and cycles that take place as we hyperfocus on certain topics. A corollary to the agricultural world, the advent of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has been a gift and a curse. While these products greatly increased agricultural output, the excess and misuse of these products has led to the pollution of water ways and crop lands. In the quest for ever increasing yields we have inadvertently destroyed the renewable resources that gave us this illusion of infinite yields in the first place. Not to say these products/ingredients do not have their use cases, but without proper downstream considerations there may be issues. That is why there has been such a major push towards sustainable agricultural methods lately. With the human population increasing we still have to provide solutions to increase yields while being stewards to our natural resources. “Living Soil” techniques grant similar outcomes as synthetic fertilizers with the added benefit of bioremediation. We can learn a lot from agricultural best practices and apply them to our reefs. In reefing I believe similar comparisons can be drawn. Blindly listening to “dose this or that”, even your two-part or trace solutions could be a large proponent to “old tank syndrome” as cycles and processes are bogged down due to blind anthropogenic inputs.

Over accumulation or deficiencies of certain elements and nutrients manifest themselves similarly amongst plants and corals. By creating the proper environment and catering to the biome we can prevent many issues from appearing. With many people looking to the past for the keys to success, I believe a major proponent was that reefers back in the day designed their tank to emulate a reef environment. Today, reefers aim to show off a collection. Nothing wrong with either mind set, but the framing and solution to problems will greatly differ as the “Biotoper” mindset intrinsically possesses long-term goals and the “Collector” mindset shot-term.

Try and connect the dots, examine the picture above and draw upon your reefing experience. If you’ve been reefing long enough you’ll be able to determine whether your corals are deficient or over exposed to certain elements just by visual inspection.


At the end of the day, train your eyes and care for the ecosystem!! The Macro and Micro dynamics of our hobby are truly fascinating and by diving into these topics and understanding this interplay we’ll be able to develop a much richer context to the beautiful art of Reefkeeping

Thank you for the mention Alan!
The art of reefkeeping is being lost to sterility and an industry determined to tug at hobbyists wallet. Connections of life exist all around us, most overlook and move on in haste to the egocentric societal demands. Some, like to slow things down, and take the time to consider alternative thoughts and ideas and see the beauty in the smallest of things. Seeing the correlations between human health, the land, and the sea, have me looking at things with a different lense. I am so very grateful to have the time to explore these ideas and concepts, more importantly, apply them directly to myself and my reef. Nature is here, always has been, and more importantly, will be even after we are long gone
The concoction for me, fits perfectly into my approach of reef keeping. I have seen snail spawns, limpits show up from dormancy, as well as my favorite..... Stomatellas! This is a system feed, not a coral feed only, as soon as reefers begin to wake up to what sterility is doing to their micro world, the sooner they will be able to relax and enjoy this majestic hobby!

 

[moosevandyke]

It seems that dosing the Concoction has caused your tank to shift it’s equilibrium point, I noted this in my personal experience many pages ago now. Similarly to me, you noted the rapid shifts and stabilization at a new lower value. This indicates that your system has become more efficient at processing and recycling nutrients. This means in order to reach your previous nutrient values you’ll have to increase your feed input. Which leads to a positive feedback loop as your corals and inhabitants continue growing and demanding more resources. This is the goal we are shooting for as we expect that increasing input should increase output or at least run “clean” where minimal residual or waste remains. The issue lies in the long-term sustainability of our methods.
I don’t dose ammonia so I can’t really inform you on the best route to take. My personal opinion, dosing a single compound such as ammonium bicarb or sodium nitrate, etc to achieve your nutrient goals may lead to a short sighted vision for our reefs. There will be limiting reagents that we may fail acknowledge which will inevitably lead to issues. That’s why my primary input into my systems now is just my Concoction as it is a comprehensive tool in my arsenal.

I think @Perry will like this bit-
We often overlook the nuance and discard the other processes and cycles that take place as we hyperfocus on certain topics. A corollary to the agricultural world, the advent of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has been a gift and a curse. While these products greatly increased agricultural output, the excess and misuse of these products has led to the pollution of water ways and crop lands. In the quest for ever increasing yields we have inadvertently destroyed the renewable resources that gave us this illusion of infinite yields in the first place. Not to say these products/ingredients do not have their use cases, but without proper downstream considerations there may be issues. That is why there has been such a major push towards sustainable agricultural methods lately. With the human population increasing we still have to provide solutions to increase yields while being stewards to our natural resources. “Living Soil” techniques grant similar outcomes as synthetic fertilizers with the added benefit of bioremediation. We can learn a lot from agricultural best practices and apply them to our reefs. In reefing I believe similar comparisons can be drawn. Blindly listening to “dose this or that”, even your two-part or trace solutions could be a large proponent to “old tank syndrome” as cycles and processes are bogged down due to blind anthropogenic inputs.

Over accumulation or deficiencies of certain elements and nutrients manifest themselves similarly amongst plants and corals. By creating the proper environment and catering to the biome we can prevent many issues from appearing. With many people looking to the past for the keys to success, I believe a major proponent was that reefers back in the day designed their tank to emulate a reef environment. Today, reefers aim to show off a collection. Nothing wrong with either mind set, but the framing and solution to problems will greatly differ as the “Biotoper” mindset intrinsically possesses long-term goals and the “Collector” mindset shot-term.

Try and connect the dots, examine the picture above and draw upon your reefing experience. If you’ve been reefing long enough you’ll be able to determine whether your corals are deficient or over exposed to certain elements just by visual inspection.


At the end of the day, train your eyes and care for the ecosystem!! The Macro and Micro dynamics of our hobby are truly fascinating and by diving into these topics and understanding this interplay we’ll be able to develop a much richer context to the beautiful art of Reefkeeping

I love this and it makes perfect sense. A couple questions... maybe its to simple or im thinking to much about it but instead of the ammonia or sodium nitrate would you suggest feeding the fish heavier and slowly increasing the V3 until a balance is found. I have a heavy fish load and I have often been told over feeding can lead to many problems as well, rotten food etc. My big concern is that by increasing the concoction to once daily or every other day that I will bottom out nitrate if I don't supplement as the tank levels out. I see about a 2.5-5 ppm drop if I dose Im not sure if the uptake of my tank is more or that is the V3. My assumption is the carbon dosing is playing a roll. My phosphates strangely enough were also low this am after my heaviest feed to day last night. I do not want to always chase numbers but I feel its very important to test vigilantly as I start to tune into my system

 

[coral reeftank]

I love this and it makes perfect sense. A couple questions... maybe its to simple or im thinking to much about it but instead of the ammonia or sodium nitrate would you suggest feeding the fish heavier and slowly increasing the V3 until a balance is found. I have a heavy fish load and I have often been told over feeding can lead to many problems as well, rotten food etc. My big concern is that by increasing the concoction to once daily or every other day that I will bottom out nitrate if I don't supplement as the tank levels out. I see about a 2.5-5 ppm drop if I dose Im not sure if the uptake of my tank is more or that is the V3. My assumption is the carbon dosing is playing a roll. My phosphates strangely enough were also low this am after my heaviest feed to day last night. I do not want to always chase numbers but I feel its very important to test vigilantly as I start to tune into my system

Yes, I would recommend an increase in general feeding. This should help round things out in a more natural way. Seems like your tank is running very efficiently now, it is good to see that it can almost instantly process that load. Now you can see how the ocean runs! Seemingly infinite input but relatively low test values.