Brightwell Aquatics NeoZeo method.
- Thread starter JohnL
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iFisch
New member
zeovit.com message boards.
I googled Elos Zeolite before I was going to buy it - and there's been users who have reported that the Elos Zeolite is far more potent. I figured if it was more "potent", it was more efficient - no?
http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12292
I am experimenting with the Zeolite. I figured I might as well try this than buying BRS HC GFO (far more expensive) and picked up a bottle of MB7.
And yes, I plan on upgrading to a bigger system. Just because it's 14g, doesn't mean Zeolite can't be used and experimented with.
What do you think? Maybe I confused zeovit with neozeo.
I googled Elos Zeolite before I was going to buy it - and there's been users who have reported that the Elos Zeolite is far more potent. I figured if it was more "potent", it was more efficient - no?
http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12292
I am experimenting with the Zeolite. I figured I might as well try this than buying BRS HC GFO (far more expensive) and picked up a bottle of MB7.
And yes, I plan on upgrading to a bigger system. Just because it's 14g, doesn't mean Zeolite can't be used and experimented with.
What do you think? Maybe I confused zeovit with neozeo.
Last edited:
CHUBAKAH
New member
I think I would like to see the stats, not a thread posted on a site that sells Elos products.
BTW, Never said that Zeolite could not be used on 14 gallons. This thread however is about the Neozeo system, which I will say is kind of a waste on a system that small IMHO.
In any event, I made my point that you yourself have no first hand experience and are going from what you "have read". I was just wondering why you capitalized "FAR" when describing how much better it was.
The zeo stones designed for this system work just fine with this system.
BTW, Never said that Zeolite could not be used on 14 gallons. This thread however is about the Neozeo system, which I will say is kind of a waste on a system that small IMHO.
In any event, I made my point that you yourself have no first hand experience and are going from what you "have read". I was just wondering why you capitalized "FAR" when describing how much better it was.
The zeo stones designed for this system work just fine with this system.
André Silvestre
Reefaholic
Hello,
Just to give my feedback regarding the Elos Zeolithes.
As already been said, these zeolithes are very potent. Pay really attention to the quantities you use in the tank because it can bleach corals in a matter of days if you already have low nutrients in the water.
In my case, even with 1/3 of the recommended dosage in a filter bag placed in front of the skimmer´s water exit, I still had corals that bleached pretty badly. The water became very clean, my Nitrates went from 10mg/L to 0mg/L in 2 weeks and the T5 lighting did the rest.
Again, use it with low dosages and low flow and raise both with time, if necessary.
Just my two cents.
Regards,
André
Just to give my feedback regarding the Elos Zeolithes.
As already been said, these zeolithes are very potent. Pay really attention to the quantities you use in the tank because it can bleach corals in a matter of days if you already have low nutrients in the water.
In my case, even with 1/3 of the recommended dosage in a filter bag placed in front of the skimmer´s water exit, I still had corals that bleached pretty badly. The water became very clean, my Nitrates went from 10mg/L to 0mg/L in 2 weeks and the T5 lighting did the rest.
Again, use it with low dosages and low flow and raise both with time, if necessary.
Just my two cents.
Regards,
André
André Silvestre
Reefaholic
Double post.
iFisch
New member
Well you were certainly laughing at me. I apologize for not being able to back it up with further stats. Often times when I do research, and there's TONS of info on google, I often scan/misread info, since there is SO much to ingest. I do take the time to google search everything. Once I find keywords, I try to narrow down my search.
I have first hand experiences using Elos products, and they really are top notch.
I apologize for capitalizing far. Often times I am up for long - extended periods and shouldn't be posting. Sometimes it's things I regret, most of the time it isn't. But I do regret using such punctuation on a statement I technically, couldn't back up. Lesson learned.
iFisch
New member
I am 1 week into my dosage. Just went from 1/3 to 2/3. No real bleaching of the two SPS frags I have. A few zoa's won't open though. Ric's and rest of zoa's are fully open, and looking good.
I will take a few tablespoons (converting mL to tablespoons) back out. I have reduced lighting period by 50% as per the instructions & Jesse (Elos customer service).
CHUBAKAH
New member
From what I have read, and seen first hand most, not all of the zeolite products are quite strong which is why it is so important when adding it in to any of these system that you do it slowly.
I'd also like to point out that it is not the zeolite it's self that is the cause of the SPS corals bleaching. It is in fact the sudden nutrients, to no nutrients that causes the issue.
I'd also like to point out that it is not the zeolite it's self that is the cause of the SPS corals bleaching. It is in fact the sudden nutrients, to no nutrients that causes the issue.
iFisch
New member
Thank you for the info. I guess I should have had this info before making my statement. I assumed zeo media varies, just like how there's two or three different types of carbon.
I just assumed (lesson learned) that what I was hearing, was Elos zeo media was a bit stronger than competitors. That's all.
Thank you for informing me, instead of laughing at me. I am learning new stuff in this hobby daily. Three new things learned today.
Thanks for speaking up.
iFisch
New member
I believe Chris Brightwell, said that a black-ish colored "stuff" (I cannot remember the term, or even if this is correct) is normal when running this stuff.
I had an extensive conversation with him on the NeeZeo method of his, and I think one of the side effects of too much carbon (BioFuel) can result in this.
I THINK. I had a long conversation with him, some time ago, and I no longer have the e-mails we exchanged. Someone more knowledgeable, or even ask Chris himself if what you have is a-typical to this system.
I cannot remember, too much info has flooded my mind since. Either I read it on here, or it came from him. But I DO remember someone having black-ish colored "stuff" in/around powerheads, and overflows.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
D3monic_Urges
New member
I had cyano issues when I first started it. I just quit dosing biofuel for 2 weeks and that made a difference. Mainly I wasnt paying attention to my logs and I never reduced my initial dose. I dont have signs of cyano anylonger.
homeboyreefer
New member
Just a quick question chubakah, i'm almost finished the loading stage with mb7 and stones, about to start biofuel, what dosage did you guys start at and how did you guys increase it. I'm thinking about starting with 1/2 ml for the first week then ramping it up to 1 ml the next week for 75 gallon net water volume.
jer77
Phish Lover
I just finished skimming over the whole thread and am glad I did cause I learned much more about the NeoZeo. I just purchased some of it and was preparing to start running it in a phosphate reactor. I have been dosing bacterial sources and carbon for about 2 months prior and liked the results so I decided to try it with the zeolith.
Tank Background:
180 gallon(2 years old) w/ large H. crispa, softies, clams, lps and halimeda
5 fish: clarkii, kole tang, 3 butterflies
I feed phyto, coral frenzy and ZeoFood almost everyday
Octopus Extreme 200
1200gph approx. turnover
3Xkoralia 4's, 1 Vortech MP40
Small fuge w/ caulerpa/halimeda
Occasionally use GAC/GFO
I began by dosing ZeoBak for a couple weeks, slowly increasing the dosage. I eventually was adding much more than the instructions recommend. I would dose the ZeoBak everyday instead of 1-2 times a week, and I would dose 16 drops instead of 7-8 drops for my 180 gallon tank. My conclusions are purely based on my limited observations and deductions, but I could tell there was less algae growth especially on the sand. Whenever I forgot to dose the algae grew much quicker, along with my macroalgae.
I then began to dose ZeoStart2 everyday. I dosed at the recommended amount mostly, but occasionally added more. My skimmer performed a little better, ORP went from 330 to 420, I rarely saw cyano on the sand and the film algae on the glass grew incredibly slower. Noticed increase in algae growth when I skipped a few days of dosing.
I also dose Sponge Power in amounts much higher than instructed. On average I dose 3X recommended amount daily. Not too sure if this helps but I have many growing sponges.
I began to dose BA Biofuel about a month ago in conjunction with ZeoStart2. Again, I usually dosed at least 3X the recommended amount daily.
I believe the dosing greatly decreased nuisance algae growth, increased skimmer production slightly, improved overall water quality evident by increased ORP and helped to process excess wastes.
I now have bought 2.2lbs of NeoZeo, canister filter, BA Biofuel, BA MicroBacter, Prodibio Bioptim and Prodibio Bio Digest. I plan to add less NeoZeo at first than recommended because I think removing lots of ammonia from a tank that is used to processing lots of it may shock the system. I'll take pictures if anyone wants to see any changes that may happen. My tank, however, doesn't compare to the pictures already posted in this thread. Changes in my tank may be more apparent though especially in respect to detritus and algae changes.
I do have some questions on setting up the filter.
1. Should I feed the NeoZeo filter with water previously filtered through GAC?
2. Should I add any sponges in the NeoZeo filter? If so what kinds and how many?
3. What about using GFO?
I'll post pics soon.
Tank Background:
180 gallon(2 years old) w/ large H. crispa, softies, clams, lps and halimeda
5 fish: clarkii, kole tang, 3 butterflies
I feed phyto, coral frenzy and ZeoFood almost everyday
Octopus Extreme 200
1200gph approx. turnover
3Xkoralia 4's, 1 Vortech MP40
Small fuge w/ caulerpa/halimeda
Occasionally use GAC/GFO
I began by dosing ZeoBak for a couple weeks, slowly increasing the dosage. I eventually was adding much more than the instructions recommend. I would dose the ZeoBak everyday instead of 1-2 times a week, and I would dose 16 drops instead of 7-8 drops for my 180 gallon tank. My conclusions are purely based on my limited observations and deductions, but I could tell there was less algae growth especially on the sand. Whenever I forgot to dose the algae grew much quicker, along with my macroalgae.
I then began to dose ZeoStart2 everyday. I dosed at the recommended amount mostly, but occasionally added more. My skimmer performed a little better, ORP went from 330 to 420, I rarely saw cyano on the sand and the film algae on the glass grew incredibly slower. Noticed increase in algae growth when I skipped a few days of dosing.
I also dose Sponge Power in amounts much higher than instructed. On average I dose 3X recommended amount daily. Not too sure if this helps but I have many growing sponges.
I began to dose BA Biofuel about a month ago in conjunction with ZeoStart2. Again, I usually dosed at least 3X the recommended amount daily.
I believe the dosing greatly decreased nuisance algae growth, increased skimmer production slightly, improved overall water quality evident by increased ORP and helped to process excess wastes.
I now have bought 2.2lbs of NeoZeo, canister filter, BA Biofuel, BA MicroBacter, Prodibio Bioptim and Prodibio Bio Digest. I plan to add less NeoZeo at first than recommended because I think removing lots of ammonia from a tank that is used to processing lots of it may shock the system. I'll take pictures if anyone wants to see any changes that may happen. My tank, however, doesn't compare to the pictures already posted in this thread. Changes in my tank may be more apparent though especially in respect to detritus and algae changes.
I do have some questions on setting up the filter.
1. Should I feed the NeoZeo filter with water previously filtered through GAC?
2. Should I add any sponges in the NeoZeo filter? If so what kinds and how many?
3. What about using GFO?
I'll post pics soon.
Reefer08
New member
whoa whoa whoa relax on all that dosing! Sounds like your dosing way too much. Your only setting yourself up for problems in the future with excessive algae thats fueled by all that carbon dosing.
Here is my suggestion,
If you decide to choose the zeovit route:
Dose basic 4 only without any other additives until your tank becomes "Ultra Low Nutrient Level" then you can start adding other things to tweak your colors and differen't food for your sps. Basic 4 consists of ZeoBak, Zeostart, Zeofood7, and the zeovit zeolith rocks.
Zeobak & Zeofood7- Needs to be dosed only 2 - 3 times per week. After a few months you can decrease to 1 -2 times per week.
Zeostart2 - Needs to be dosed Daily twice per day morning and night.
Zeovit reactor - Needs to pumped twice per day morning and night, this releases the MULM that feeds your corals and increases the biological filtration of the zeolith rocks.
First you must decide if you want to go the ZEOVIT route or the Brightwells or Prodibio route.
Brightwell is very similar to Zeovit, just a lot more cost effective.
With all these carbon source dosing:
1. Do not run GFO.
2. Always run Carbon (GAC).
3. Don't run a refugium, the macro algae in it will eventually starve to death.
4. It doesn't matter what water you feed your zeo filter with, just as long as it drains into your return section of your sump.
If you have any questions regarding zeovit please PM me, ive been dosing this stuff for several months so I feel ive got a good understanding on it.
Reefer08
New member
I will give you my honest opinion. 14g tank is too small to run any carbon dosing. I would be scared to run zeoliths on a 14g tank. You have a very high probabilitiy of over dosing!
What exactly are you trying to accomplish? An experiment then sure try it out.
Personally I think you would get better results with a good skimmer and some GFO in such a small tank.
You mentioned you have red slime appearing, well thats because you over dosed! Red slime or brown slime occurs when we over dose on carbon source.
austin93
Don't Panic!
Thanks for the advice guys but I sent pix of the stuff to Chris and he didn't know what it was he thought it was white dinoflahellates but I had it checked under a microscope and it is a form of cyano. I haven't dosed bf for about a month with no change and still the problem exists.
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