I use the AF Reef salt and also AF probotic salt, The probotic has worked great , when i was having a cayno issues, and tank is a dream now. Only Cons about this product, Is stock is not always easy to get , as their is always waiting on new stock, and some of my stores now moved away from AF due to unable to keep the AF products in stick and supplier issues as well.
Now do a manual test for Magnesium. AF always claiming 1300/1400'ish for their Reef Salt. I use the stuff for a year now and always measure 1600. I'm not the only one measuring this, many on R2R do and also BRSTV recently measured 1600. Nothing wrong with 1600, but you can take their own measurements with a grain of salt.
I had the same issue. Tried 3 different test kits (including AF's own mag test) and they all read high (+ 1600). However, when I sent a water sample in for ICP test it reported normal (1400). I could be wrong but all I could conclude from that was that hobby mag test kits are inaccurate and only to be used as a guideline rather than an accurate measurement.
Thanks Sam, How long to do manage to get away storing that natural sea water you use? I have been considering making the change for a while but want to be able to store it a month or 2 without issue.
Good video. Any information on Tropic Marine Coral pro ICP results. I’ve send ICP today for my tank lets see whats the results. Sam you need to make a video on the natural sea water you use. How you collect and change water whats the science behind it. And how you make sure its filtered etc. Great informative video. Keep it happening.
thanks mate! Unfortunately no info on the Tropic Marine ICP as I've never used it :( I'm sure it will be top quality though. The natural salt water I use isn't really my story to tell, it is collected by a local legend who has a top secret process to filter and prepare it. All I know is it is beautiful water, I've always used it :)
@@ParkersReef 100% ;) Even if it's just peace of mind.... and I think confidence that takes the pressure off is huge in this hobby ;) One less thing in the back of your mind ;)
It’s my photo! Aquaforest have actually bought the rights to a number of pictures I’ve taken over the years. I love seeing them on products in shops :) Gallery Aquatica is a good 22 hours from me, I get my natural salt water a bit more local 😅
The aquaforest ICP tests is SUPER far away from being correct in all cases i bought their salt. for instance i have now a BRAND new 300xl started and i have ONLY been using Aquaforest reef salt, doing 20% weekly waterchanges and i was missing ALOT of minor elements before i even have placed corals in. i had to dose zinc, maganes, Flourine, iodine, Molybdenum also got WAY to high Magnesium (1570 from ICP) the KH was 8.5 at 35ppt but aquaforest ICP said 8.0 Calcium was off aswell. I even shaked the bag and tried to mix the salt in the bag before use as good as possible. All these tested before the water entered my tank (icp test said 35.39 salinity so i mixed it a LITTLE to high
How much were you paid for this ad Sam?? Clearly biased when most salts produce ICP tests for their samples and comes only a couple of days after some bad press on Aquaforest salts on the forums....
Ha I’d love a cheque but sadly it doesn’t work that way. If you watched the video you’ll note I said a couple times that some other salts do the same and if anything, I actually confirmed the elevated iron levels that has been the talk of the town. But hey, don’t let the facts get in the way of a good conspiracy hey 😂
Yeah ok, we can’t have supply issues (regardless of the brand, you want a solid supply) I don’t know the UK distributor, but we need them to sort this out for you
This batch level quality control is nice and all but consistently should be the focus of the product supplier. If I need to check all of the individual buckets of salt at the local fish store to find the one the is "right for me" then this salt is not for me. Values should be very consistent batch to batch. This kind of verification should be just that, verification. The fact that it is "in house" testing is also suspect.
@@ParkersReef You are absolutly correct. This is why I choose to use Aquavitro Salinity Salt. Batch numbers, ICP tested and consistent. RedSea also offers this. Nothing new to report aside from the lack of lot to lot consistency.
Na I use salt water from the ocean 95% of the time. But sometimes it’s not possible, so it’s important to find a artificial salt that fits in with what you usually use
@@ParkersReef wow never knew you could do this and don't think you ever mentioned it. So you wont even need to cycle your tank. Sea water meda and thats it
I use the AF Reef salt and also AF probotic salt, The probotic has worked great , when i was having a cayno issues, and tank is a dream now. Only Cons about this product, Is stock is not always easy to get , as their is always waiting on new stock, and some of my stores now moved away from AF due to unable to keep the AF products in stick and supplier issues as well.
ah that's no good - what area are you in? We need to let the distributor know!
Thanks Sam, great tip , I'm one of the ones who never check it but will start from now on, 👍
Most of us never did mate!!! But it’s so quick, easy and free - why not!
Wonder if other manufacturers do this , thanks Sam 👍
Im sure a few do
Nice tip Sam! Also a good way to calibrate test kits if you can’t wait to do your own ICP.
Very true!
Now do a manual test for Magnesium. AF always claiming 1300/1400'ish for their Reef Salt. I use the stuff for a year now and always measure 1600. I'm not the only one measuring this, many on R2R do and also BRSTV recently measured 1600.
Nothing wrong with 1600, but you can take their own measurements with a grain of salt.
My experience as well👍
@@aussied723 will test it out. My tank chews mag, so this wouldn't bother me too much!
I had the same issue. Tried 3 different test kits (including AF's own mag test) and they all read high (+ 1600). However, when I sent a water sample in for ICP test it reported normal (1400). I could be wrong but all I could conclude from that was that hobby mag test kits are inaccurate and only to be used as a guideline rather than an accurate measurement.
I get this with their salt as well, the irony is their own test kits only go to 1500 so you can't actually test it lol!
@@Wiljuchi Yes you can. When at zero in the syringe, just fill it up a little again and continue with the droplets.
Thanks Sam, How long to do manage to get away storing that natural sea water you use? I have been considering making the change for a while but want to be able to store it a month or 2 without issue.
It will last a very long time (multiple months) if you keep the sunlight off it and have it gently moving with a small pump
What's the best salt to use if always seem to have cyano issues to low nutrients
lots of great salt brands out there - pick one that is consistently available to you so you don't have to switch brands each time.
Thanks, this video helped me a lot.
glad it was of use!
Good video. Any information on Tropic Marine Coral pro ICP results. I’ve send ICP today for my tank lets see whats the results.
Sam you need to make a video on the natural sea water you use. How you collect and change water whats the science behind it. And how you make sure its filtered etc.
Great informative video. Keep it happening.
thanks mate! Unfortunately no info on the Tropic Marine ICP as I've never used it :( I'm sure it will be top quality though.
The natural salt water I use isn't really my story to tell, it is collected by a local legend who has a top secret process to filter and prepare it. All I know is it is beautiful water, I've always used it :)
How about a review of Quantum salt. Australian made from Australian salt
yeah I'd be open to it for sure
@Parkers Reef I'm using aquaforrest but I'd prefer to support aussie
For sure. Does your local shop carry it?
Not only Salt brand thar bas been doing it for years 😂 plus you get free elevated levels of iron with AF
Hey no need to worry about iron levels if the tanks burst seams in a year or two? :P
@@ParkersReef lol 😂 dam bro
@@nicholasgrohn1082 shots fired 😂😂😂
@@ParkersReef lol 😂 I guess then your own your own for that up and coming video lol 😂 jokes bro 😎 love ❤️ your videos
@@nicholasgrohn1082 you know I'm just playing with you :D
This is great - wish my salt would do this - saying that I don't do large water changes ;)
yes, frequent small changes are always better - but still, handy feature I see almost no one using :)
@@ParkersReef 100% ;) Even if it's just peace of mind.... and I think confidence that takes the pressure off is huge in this hobby ;) One less thing in the back of your mind ;)
Can I ask how often you do water change ?
I have continuous water changes setup :)
@@ParkersReef dang … I wish I could do that … thanks mate
Does make life easy!!
@@ParkersReef indeed it is 😊
Parker, @1:43 who was the talented photographer you wouldn't mention, not a rival is he/she hahahaha, is your sea water from gallery aquatica?
It’s my photo! Aquaforest have actually bought the rights to a number of pictures I’ve taken over the years. I love seeing them on products in shops :)
Gallery Aquatica is a good 22 hours from me, I get my natural salt water a bit more local 😅
@@ParkersReef The banksy of the Marine salt world👍📷 remember keep it secret 🤫
The aquaforest ICP tests is SUPER far away from being correct in all cases i bought their salt. for instance i have now a BRAND new 300xl started and i have ONLY been using Aquaforest reef salt, doing 20% weekly waterchanges and i was missing ALOT of minor elements before i even have placed corals in. i had to dose zinc, maganes, Flourine, iodine, Molybdenum also got WAY to high Magnesium (1570 from ICP) the KH was 8.5 at 35ppt but aquaforest ICP said 8.0 Calcium was off aswell. I even shaked the bag and tried to mix the salt in the bag before use as good as possible. All these tested before the water entered my tank (icp test said 35.39 salinity so i mixed it a LITTLE to high
interesting
Legend!
lol not sure about that, but wanted to make sure people knew it existed!
@@ParkersReef give yourself some credit ;) thanks for all the good info mate
Appreciate it 🙏🏻
How much were you paid for this ad Sam?? Clearly biased when most salts produce ICP tests for their samples and comes only a couple of days after some bad press on Aquaforest salts on the forums....
Ha I’d love a cheque but sadly it doesn’t work that way.
If you watched the video you’ll note I said a couple times that some other salts do the same and if anything, I actually confirmed the elevated iron levels that has been the talk of the town.
But hey, don’t let the facts get in the way of a good conspiracy hey 😂
Who’s the other guy waiting 5 hours before release??
you were keen Enzo!!!
@@ParkersReef I’m from England 🏴
Yeah ok, we can’t have supply issues (regardless of the brand, you want a solid supply)
I don’t know the UK distributor, but we need them to sort this out for you
No more Aqua Forrest Reef Salt. You have just issues an Cyanos...... But good Video, thanks !
Me or you? Either way, the video is about using the batch number ICP facility which is available on a number of brands, not just aquaforest :)
This batch level quality control is nice and all but consistently should be the focus of the product supplier. If I need to check all of the individual buckets of salt at the local fish store to find the one the is "right for me" then this salt is not for me. Values should be very consistent batch to batch. This kind of verification should be just that, verification. The fact that it is "in house" testing is also suspect.
Of course Aquaforest checks all the batches, but being a product that has variances, why not get one that suits your specific use case best?
@@ParkersReef You are absolutly correct. This is why I choose to use Aquavitro Salinity Salt. Batch numbers, ICP tested and consistent. RedSea also offers this. Nothing new to report aside from the lack of lot to lot consistency.
Glad to hear you’re already utilising the technique. Not many were so I thought I’d remind folk 👍🏻
@@ParkersReef 👍👍
Man what do u mean artificial salt and natural salt. I thought u always used AF salts
Na I use salt water from the ocean 95% of the time. But sometimes it’s not possible, so it’s important to find a artificial salt that fits in with what you usually use
@@ParkersReef wow never knew you could do this and don't think you ever mentioned it. So you wont even need to cycle your tank. Sea water meda and thats it
Still need to cycle man. Natural salt isn’t that different to artificial salt :)
@@ParkersReef hi Sam, ever thought about doing a ICP between natural salt vs artificial? how long can you keep natural salt water?