Additives

[jer77]

Does any additive really work for brightening or bringing the colors back in sps corals? I've heard of amino acid supplements, and also the line of korallin supplements. Do any of these work? What do you use or do you use anything?

 

[Amphiprion]

IME, no additive can truly bring out colors. Only good water quality, lighting, etc. can. However, I suppose where many reef aquaria nowadays are actually quite nutrient starved, it could certainly be a benefit.

 

[jer77]

Whats up with those zeovit additives that claim all sorts of color enhancements? And whats up with the zeovit stuff anyways? What is it and how does it work?

 

[MdM31]

im going to try the prodibio method on my tank. I wan uses it along with the ZEO Basic 4, and his colors are amazing. I will let you know how it works out for me.

-Mike

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7456004#post7456004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jer77
Whats up with those zeovit additives that claim all sorts of color enhancements? And whats up with the zeovit stuff anyways? What is it and how does it work?

There has been a lot of debate on its use--but that is irrelevant--to each his own. At any rate, briefly:
It utilizes a certain form of zeolitic materials (basically a special mineral that absorbs nitrogenous compounds, etc) that serve as a culture medium for various bacteria that are added as part of the system. The growth of these bacteria are encouraged by adding an organic carbon source (which was supposedly suggested as methanol at one point, but is unsubstantiated AFAIK) and is also supplied in the system. In their metabolic activities, these bacteria utilize phosphorus, nitrogen, and other carbon sources, thus dropping these levels substantially. Vigorous water motion and protein skimming help to remove these bacteria (also stabilizing the culture) and ultimately remove the utilized nutrients from the tank. Supposedly, various trace elements have to be added due to utilization, but only in certain amounts. This system is also supposedly capable of dropping nutrient levels so low, that supplementation of "amino acids" and other nutritive sources are beneficial (or in some cases, necessary) for coral health.

This is just my description, please add something if I left it out (as I don't want to start anything or not give the system enough credit). I don't promote it, nor do I advise against it--as before, there is too much controversy surrounding it, so you will have to do some more research to decide for yourself.

 

[marcrothschild]

Great description of the system/process Amphiprion. I started adding Seachems Reef Plus after having SPS lightening due to low nutrients, and it definately has worked well for me. After a couple of bottles of that, I added Pohls Coral Vitalizer. I think if you are really stripping your water of nutrients aggressively, these types of products can aid in coloration.

 

[Philwd]

Seachem's Reef Plus really helped my colors pop too.

 

[clkwrk]

I have enjoyed Tropic marin a elements and k elements.

Lately I have had extreamly metallic colors and crazy growth .

 

[Vili_Shark]

Grotech's A+B+C+M started at 1/3 of the dose ended at 1/2 dose.

 

[chtan]

I m using the new probiotics; Reef-resh from Polyplab .... it consists of vitamin enriched coral food, bacteria and amino acids .... so far so good (been using it for the last 2 mths) as I have noticed most of the sps becoming more vibrant in colors ...

My only lament is that just like zeovit, it can be quite expensive to dose if your tank is in excess of 200 gallons.

 

[Fatboy]

I have been dozing a couple of the Zeo products with good results. Don't have the reactor but I dose the Amino Acid High Concentrate, the Pohls Coral Vitalizer and the ZEOspur Macroelements.

I started with some SPS frags on mid December 2005

This are the same frags five months latter

The good growth is a result of the Zeo products ? I don't know, but I think that they don't hurt so I will continue with them.

I will start with Prodibio in the following weeks.

 

[RichConley]

You also changed from a 20K to a 10K...I'd say thats a bigger facter here...


Generally, the zeovit method produces exteremly low nutrients, which causes the corals to lighten up. The additives act as a nitrate source, so the corals can get their color back.

 

[Fatboy]

Haven't changed lights..... first picture was taken at dusk with only the T5's. I'm using 14K BLV MH's.

 

[RichConley]

NIce lookin tank BTW.