About to initiate Prodibio on a all SPS tank

[Deester]

Hi Guys,

I am about to start Prodibio (BioClean package only) on my all sps tank.

Have done a lot of research about Prodibio, but still have a few questions prior to starting for those currently using the system.

1. I have my ALK sitting at around 9ish dKH, should this be lowered to the usual ULNS ALK level ... ie: 7-8DKH ?

2. Is it best to alternate the BioTim and BioDigest dosages weekly or dose both together every two weeks ?

3. Should the FIRST initial dose be both BioTim and BioDigest together, or should it be BioDigest 1st week then BioTim 2nd week and continue the alternate dosing ?

Any help/advice form those currently using Prodibio with SPS would be most appreciated ... many thanks.

Dee.

 

[MSHUR]

Hi Dee,

Beeen using prodibio for 2 years now.. here is my answears to you;
1 . i keep alk no less then 8dkh, usially between 8-9
2.I dose Digest and Tip at the same time every 2 weeks
3.I would dose both together.

good luck

mike

 

[Deester]

Hi Dee,

Beeen using prodibio for 2 years now.. here is my answears to you;
1 . i keep alk no less then 8dkh, usially between 8-9
2.I dose Digest and Tip at the same time every 2 weeks
3.I would dose both together.

good luck

mike

Thanks Mike ... most appreciated.

I plan on dosing 2 x BioTim vials and 1 x BioDigest per my 400L(100G) Tank every two weeks.

Any ideas on why people alternate dosing weekly as opposed to the 2 weekly dosing of both ?

Cheers,

Dee.

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

I used is several years ago and did the biodigest after weekly water changes and did the bioptim the next week after the weekly water change.

don't over do it and if the vials are too big for you tank either!!! Only add the recommended amount.

 

[MSHUR]

Dee,
your dosing seems fine.. for my 200g i dose 1 vial of digest and 5 tim, but i have large bio load..
to be honest i have no idea why people alternate dosing Digest is backteria and tim is food for back, so go figure...


mike

 

[Deester]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice, most appreciated.

to be honest i have no idea why people alternate dosing Digest is backteria and tim is food for back, so go figure...

Yeah Mike,

logic would say dosing both at the same time would be the go, with one being the bacteria and one being food for the bacteria ... but there must be a reason for the alternate week dosing ... anyone have any ideas ?

Cheers,

Dee.

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

If you've never dosed bacteria/fuel source....adding a vial of their potent bacteria plus the ones already in your tank then igniting it with the bioptim can be the equivalent of putting a large dose of vodka in your tank without working your way to that large amount.

Make sure your alk is around 7-8 too.

I put a vial into 60 net gal of water because I didn't want to waste half a vial and the tank did not like it!

Don't break your ampule over your tank either. It's very easy to drop that little glass end and fish will gobble it up.

 

[Animadverto]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice, most appreciated.



Yeah Mike,

logic would say dosing both at the same time would be the go, with one being the bacteria and one being food for the bacteria ... but there must be a reason for the alternate week dosing ... anyone have any ideas ?

Cheers,

Dee.

Dee,

People used to alternate dosing Biodigest with Bioptim thinking that the Biodigest will clean up the existing nutrients in the tank before adding Bioptim (more nutrients) for the bacteria to thrive on. If you have a problematic tank with high nitrates and phosphate, that may work, but bacteria is a VERY potent thing and I would follow directions from the manufacturer.

Note that Prodibio has reformulated their product line to coincide with the same dosing schedule as well. It used to be that you dose Reef Booster 6 weeks after Biodigest and Bioptim, but now you dose everything at once according to the directions on their BioKit Reef and likewise with the BioClean Kit.

In regard to potential problems with high Alk while dosing Prodibio, there has not been any known issues reported. Check out this link http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1520596&page=5 starting from post #106 onward. It may be helpful to you.

I'm about to start BioClean myself as well on the 1st of this month and have done extensive reading online as well as talking to other reefers who are using the product. A lot of people have reported skimmer problems and algae outbreak with Reef Booster. Other than that, everything is positive.

David

 

[MSHUR]

David,

when i dose booster i have to shut off my skimmer for at least one day otherwise it goes nuts . So, to avoid this issue, i start dosing bosster night before water changes. I do 30g every 3 weeks.. I one vial for 200g to avoid algea issues..

based on manufacture directions we should dose both product every 15 days

mike

 

[Animadverto]

Thanks Mike,

I think I'm going to go a different route other than Reef Booster. Instead of Reef Booster, I'll use Zeovit Pohl's Xtra as a carbon/amino acids source. None of the Zeovit products has the ingredients listed, but based on the fact that Pohl's Xtra's purpose is to enhance coral colors in ULNS tanks. I'm willing to bet that it has organic carbon/amino acids.

I have a 50 gal sps tank with an 18 gal sump and I would prefer better control over dosing Pohl's xtra 1 to 2 ml at a time instead of dumping one whole vial of the Reef Booster according to Prodibio's direction. Organic carbon and amino acids are all the same by any other brands. Right?

David

 

[Deester]

Hello David,

Many thanks for that post ... most appreciated.

Yes, I will be dosing the BioClean Package as directed by Prodibio, both every 15 days.

Once I am happy with where my PO4 and nitrates are and corals show they need a boost (food) I will be using ZEO AAHC and CV instead of ReefBooster ... will be interesting seeing what can be achieved this way.

I think I will leave my ALK at 9'ish dKH (where it has been for most of the tanks life) ... thanks for the info there.

My tank is currently around 4-5 months old and is moderately stocked with acro. To date I have not tested for PO4 or Nitrate, lazy on my behalf ! I do not use a DSB or Refugium, only live rock and skimmer for filtration. Looking forward to seeing what results can be gained from Prodibio.

Here's a average crappy pic of my acro currently.

Thanks guys for the input and advice, most appreciated.

Dee.

 

[Animadverto]

Dee,

You must have quite a selection to choose from when shopping for corals in Australia and not having to pay with an arm and a leg for them either. Keep us updated with the progress of your tank and dosing.

Are you planning on dosing the Zeovit additives as directed on the bottles or cutting the dosage by half since you're not using the entire Zeovit system? I've read quite a few posts from people who would only do half the dosage if they are using a hybrid approach or if they are just using the additives. What are your thoughts on that?

David

 

[Reef_Noob]

Deester....good luck on the Prodibio journey....i have heard great things about it....but use it wisely and in a controlled manner and pay attention to how your tank is reacting to it....

Your corals are looking sweeeet....

It will be great if you ya will take some before and after FTS and individual coral comparison shots...it will showcase your progress...

I am currently in the middle of a new tank setup and i am gonna dose Prodibio products from the outset....do take a look at my build thread and any suggestions are welcome...