Looking to Start Zeo - Local experience?

[Husky_1]

As the title says, I am thinking of starting Zeo. I am sure there are some local guys that have run the system and would like to know how the people with 1st hand experience feel about the system including the good, the bad, and the ugly....

I have been doing research for a while now and was going to run a bacteria driven system piecing together different products like Seachem, Zeo, Warner, FM Ultralith, vodka/sugar/vinegar etc.. However, the more I research the more I like the amount support the Zeo community offers. Now I am 85% sure I am just going to do a full blown Zeo system. Currently I am working on getting my CA and MG back down to NSW levels, my MG was up while I was trying to rid some Hair Algae, and my old CA test kit was off by ~100ppm. Of course Potassium is a vital measurement as well, so I have to get a kit and measure and adjust as well. I am going out of town at the end of May so I am targeting a June start.



Thanks,
Dale

 

[ahoyhoy239]

FWIW, i was just looking at a thread in the SPS keepers forum about K dosing and testing, also ive seen Fish2Reef post a few times about using Zeo, he may be able to answer some questions

 

[smchais]

Ask Coralfragger101 about it. He is using it

 

[Husky_1]

by ahoyhoy239
FWIW, i was just looking at a thread in the SPS keepers forum about K dosing and testing, also ive seen Fish2Reef post a few times about using Zeo, he may be able to answer some questions

Thanks Ahoyhoy,
I could not seem to find the thread, even after a username search...Maybe he will chime in

by smchais
Ask Coralfragger101 about it. He is using it

Thanks smchais,
I sent him a PM.

 

[coralfragger101]

I'm been using zeo for about 6 months, maybe a bit longer.

I think that zeo is like just about any other "method" that you try - It seems to work for some and not for others.

So far I can not say that it is working for me personally. To the point that I'm beginning to consider going back to a more traditional method. They say it could take up to 8-9 months to get your nutrient levels down. I'm at 6-7 months and my nutrients are still too high for my liking and the few SPS that I'm experimenting with are actually currently taking a turn for the worse. If I do decide to jump ship, I'll have just about every one of the products to sell with some of the stuff being unopened and never used.

I'm sure that others could tell you that they have had nothing but good things happen since going zeo.

This probably doesn't help you make your decision but that's where I'm at with it.

 

[ahoyhoy239]

K dosing thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1369991

 

[Husky_1]

Thanks Chuck, if you decide to get rid of the stuff in the next couple of weeks, let me know. Sorry to hear that its not working for you, do you feel that you have followed the directions, like keeping all your params at NSW levels, shaking the rocks etc...

Ahoyhoy, thanks for the thread.

 

[Fish2reef]

I had good results with Zeo, never noticed a big difference with the basic 4 but the added amino acids and saw results the polyp extension and growth. The key like any other system is following it and being consistent, but it works.

 

[coralfragger101]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12334652#post12334652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Husky_1
Thanks Chuck, if you decide to get rid of the stuff in the next couple of weeks, let me know. Sorry to hear that its not working for you, do you feel that you have followed the directions, like keeping all your params at NSW levels, shaking the rocks etc...

Ahoyhoy, thanks for the thread.

I've been doing everything right as far as I know. Although I'm not using quite the recommended amount of rocks because the reactor I have won't hold a full 2 ltr. It's holding about 1.5 ltrs. Rocks cleaned twice a day. Running carbon passively (sort of). Have adjusted dosages multiple times trying to tweak it. I continue to get the brown powder build up on the glass after dosing (and it's not diatoms). Corals haven't colored up. Like I said before - I'm about ready to give up.

I have:

Grotech reactor w/eheim pump
Start2
Bak
Food
Coral Vitalizer
Coral Snow
B Balance
Spur macro (no spur2)
K Strong (as well as a K test kit)
Amino Acids
Sponge Power

I'm even using the KZ carbon and KZ mag

 

[Husky_1]

I may be interested in it all if the price is right..

 

[Fish2reef]

I only use the 5 products, basic 4 (Zeolith, Zeobac, Zeofood,Zeostart) plus Amino Acid. I started in January 2006 and by the time of the water testing meeting I was in shock that all my parameters were in balance even magnesium that I never dosed or checked.

 

[Fish2reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12335783#post12335783 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fish2reef
I only use the 5 products, basic 4 (Zeolith, Zeobac, Zeofood,Zeostart) plus Amino Acid. I started in January 2006 and by the time of the water testing meeting I was in shock that all my parameters were in balance even magnesium that I never dosed or checked.

Correction January 2007 and water testing meeting of 2007

 

[Husky_1]

Hi Fish2reef, have you found that you are now able to feed your fish much more?

 

[Fish2reef]

I started feeding more by default, always feed little afraid of nitrates, now I feed a lot.
The only problem I had was RTN due to too much flow though the reactor (Zeolith) stripping the water of nutrients too fast, it was diagnosed in the Zeo forum and stopped after flow was adjusted.

 

[MediaHound]

Make sure you have a good supply on hand as if the distributors sell it all and cannot get a shipment from overseas, your s.o.l...
That very thing recently happened to a friend of mine. Yikes!

 

[Fish2reef]

A new fish that is about to open is in negotiations to carry Zeo locally, I am praying for that.

 

[Husky_1]

That would be nice...