NOPOX Equivalent

[mlott132]

Going to be transitioning my tank to AF products. Still have 3/4 bucket of Tropic Marin Pro Reef salt to go through before I switch to AF Probiotic Reef Salt. Question I have now is my nitrates and phosphates are starting to climb a bit. I have used NOPOX in the past but would like to start using AF instead. Which AF products should I use? Looking on the website, I was thinking of using Pro Bio S and Pro F. Let me know your thoughts.

 

[GoVols]

You need NP Pro as your carbon source to fuel NP Pro S.

 

[GoVols]

Sorry... Pro Bio S

Pro Bio S is the good bacteria / NP Pro is it's carbon source.

 

[GoVols]

Some people use AF salt and other products but still like to use NOPOX.

You can mix a match products to your liking.

AF Component 1+ 2+ 3+ is most stable dosing program I've ever used.

 

[mlott132]

Thanks for your reply. Did a little more reading and found Bio F is for smaller tanks or those with very high nitrate and phosphate levels. Since my levels are not very high, I will just start out with Pro Bio S and -NP Pro.

I am planning on using their Component 1+, 2+, 3+ at some point in the near future. Have been thinking of going the Balling method for a while, but my LFS did not carry the Tropic Marin Balling components. Not easy to find them online either. Seems the norm for some of Tropic Marin's products. They are now carrying the full AF line so it should be easier. Just need to research and invest in a good quality dosing pump system. Any recommendations?

 

[GoVols]

Thanks for your reply. Did a little more reading and found Bio F is for smaller tanks or those with very high nitrate and phosphate levels. Since my levels are not very high, I will just start out with Pro Bio S and -NP Pro.

I am planning on using their Component 1+, 2+, 3+ at some point in the near future. Have been thinking of going the Balling method for a while, but my LFS did not carry the Tropic Marin Balling components. Not easy to find them online either. Seems the norm for some of Tropic Marin's products. They are now carrying the full AF line so it should be easier. Just need to research and invest in a good quality dosing pump system. Any recommendations?

Your will LOVE Component 1+ 2+ 3+

Here's how you start it. Get your Big 3 inline before starting.

Dose all three parts evenly from the beginning.

Lock in your alk (Comp - 2) first. That will be your dose for all three parts.

If your calcium drifts low DON"T use Comp-1 to bring it up.
Use a pure calcium product, same for mag.

Took me about two weeks to stabilize my Comp-1 and 3 to (Alk) Comp-2. Using pure products.

After that all the ions stabilized and I was dosing exactly 40ml per day for all 3 components.

 

[GoVols]

It's expensive but I use an Apex system and use their DOS pumps. The DOS unit comes with two pumps. So if you don't want to buy two DOS units you could get one that pumps in Comp-1 and 2 and hand dose Comp-3.

Apex makes some top of the line stuff, but you pay a lot for it.

 

[mlott132]

It's expensive but I use an Apex system and use their DOS pumps. The DOS unit comes with two pumps. So if you don't want to buy two DOS units you could get one that pumps in Comp-1 and 2 and hand dose Comp-3.

Apex makes some top of the line stuff, but you pay a lot for it.

Agree with you there. I do have an Apex setup on the tank now so it would integrate nicely. However, they are pricey and take up a fair amount of room. Was leaning towards the Vertex setup, but that is expensive as well. May end up with a Bubble Magnus setup.

 

[mlott132]

So I picked up a bottle of Pro Bio S and -NP Pro today. Would you recommend starting out with the recommended dosage right away or work up to it over a few weeks? I estimate my total tank volume around 80 gallons. Per the directions it would be around 3 drops per day of each. Just wondering if I should start with a drop a day for week one, then two drops week two, and then at week three be up to full dosage. Thoughts?

 

[GoVols]

So I picked up a bottle of Pro Bio S and -NP Pro today. Would you recommend starting out with the recommended dosage right away or work up to it over a few weeks? I estimate my total tank volume around 80 gallons. Per the directions it would be around 3 drops per day of each. Just wondering if I should start with a drop a day for week one, then two drops week two, and then at week three be up to full dosage. Thoughts?

Your correct three drops is your full dose.

If you start with full dose watch the next day to see if there's anything like signs of Cyano.

I dose at night and it does rise up your skimmer funk, a tad like TM Bioactif salt after a water change.

I started at full dose, saw some cyano after a couple of days and cut back to 1/3 dose and slowly rose up from their.

If your currently using NOPOX you might be able to go full dose.

 

[mlott132]

Your correct three drops is your full dose.

If you start with full dose watch the next day to see if there's anything like signs of Cyano.

I dose at night and it does rise up your skimmer funk, a tad like TM Bioactif salt after a water change.

I started at full dose, saw some cyano after a couple of days and cut back to 1/3 dose and slowly rose up from their.

If your currently using NOPOX you might be able to go full dose.

I just started NOPOX a few days ago so I'm sure it has not had much effect on the system. That being said, I think I will start slowly. I was dosing the NOPOX in the morning before I leave for work, lights don't come on for a few hours. Is it better to dose at night or morning or does it not matter?

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

 

[GoVols]

I just started NOPOX a few days ago so I'm sure it has not had much effect on the system. That being said, I think I will start slowly. I was dosing the NOPOX in the morning before I leave for work, lights don't come on for a few hours. Is it better to dose at night or morning or does it not matter?

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

I don't think it really matters. Evenings are just fits my schedule.

Does NOPOX make your skimmer more active?

I've never used it but I know a lot of reefer's swear by it.

I do use Reef Energy from Red Sea's program.