Started Brightwells Neo-Zeo Today

Hey Plyle, how is the Zeo media doing in a phosban reactor? Is it completely filled?
Also, what pump are you using and do you feel that it sufficiently cleans off the film on the stones?
Im concerned that for my 65g one phosban reactor would not be large enough to fit all the rocks that I will need.
Thanks for the info, I will be closely following your thread also.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13712099#post13712099 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GatorWPB
Hey Plyle, how is the Zeo media doing in a phosban reactor? Is it completely filled?
Also, what pump are you using and do you feel that it sufficiently cleans off the film on the stones?
Im concerned that for my 65g one phosban reactor would not be large enough to fit all the rocks that I will need.
Thanks for the info, I will be closely following your thread also.

I am using a Mini-Jet 606, it is adjustable as far as flow goes. I also trim down on the ball valve, the instructions indicate that you should run for the 1st 2 weeks at 25gph. Next, ramp up to 50gph, then once through the initial startup stages, set to 100gph. As far as the reactor goes, the box indicates to use 200 grams of media for 100 gallons. The box is 1000 grams, I have a 50 gallon tank, so divided the media into approximately 10 parts, so essentially one box of media gets me 10 portions. So, to directly answer your question, the media fills the reactor to maybe 1/4 or 1/5th of the total volume in the reactor. I doubt you would have to fill the total reactor for your tank, given that you only have 15 gallons more capacity. Good Luck!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13712421#post13712421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plyle02
I am using a Mini-Jet 606, it is adjustable as far as flow goes. I also trim down on the ball valve, the instructions indicate that you should run for the 1st 2 weeks at 25gph. Next, ramp up to 50gph, then once through the initial startup stages, set to 100gph. As far as the reactor goes, the box indicates to use 200 grams of media for 100 gallons. The box is 1000 grams, I have a 50 gallon tank, so divided the media into approximately 10 parts, so essentially one box of media gets me 10 portions. So, to directly answer your question, the media fills the reactor to maybe 1/4 or 1/5th of the total volume in the reactor. I doubt you would have to fill the total reactor for your tank, given that you only have 15 gallons more capacity. Good Luck!

How often are they recommending changing out the media...?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13712421#post13712421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plyle02
I am using a Mini-Jet 606, it is adjustable as far as flow goes. I also trim down on the ball valve, the instructions indicate that you should run for the 1st 2 weeks at 25gph. Next, ramp up to 50gph, then once through the initial startup stages, set to 100gph. As far as the reactor goes, the box indicates to use 200 grams of media for 100 gallons. The box is 1000 grams, I have a 50 gallon tank, so divided the media into approximately 10 parts, so essentially one box of media gets me 10 portions. So, to directly answer your question, the media fills the reactor to maybe 1/4 or 1/5th of the total volume in the reactor. I doubt you would have to fill the total reactor for your tank, given that you only have 15 gallons more capacity. Good Luck!
Thanks again.
Have you read the Brightwells PDF document on Neo Zeo Method?
So based on the directions in the PDF, Im looking at having 500g or more of the rock media.
This is what it says as far as amount of stones to use:

The following recommendations are based upon extensive testing and will produce
the best results in most aquaria:
Weeks 1 and 2: Place 200 g each week of NçoZeo for each 100 US-gallons (378.5 L) in
the entire aquarium system into an appropriate media reactor; adjust the rate of water
flow through the reactor to ~25 gph (94.6 lph). Add 2.5 ml MicrôBacter7 per 100 USgallons
daily.
Weeks 3 and 4: Add 200 g each week of NçoZeo for each 100 US-gallons (378.5 L) in
the entire aquarium system into the media reactor; increase water flow through the
reactor to ~50 gph (189.3 lph). Add 1 ml MicrôBacter7 and Reef BioFuel per 100 USgallons
daily.
Week 5: Add 200 g of NçoZeo for each 100 US-gallons (378.5 L) in the entire aquarium
system into the media reactor; increase water flow through the reactor to ~100 gph
(378.5 lph). Add 1 ml MicrôBacter7 and Reef BioFuel per 100 US-gallons daily.
Once the first 5 weeks of usage has passed, adjust the dosage of MicrôBacter7 and Reef
BioFuel according to the appearance of the system, the inhabitants, and as dictated by
the water parameters. Refer to the instructions on each of the afore-mentioned
supplements’ labels for additional information. Every six-weeks, change 25% of the
NçoZeo media and add 1 ml MicrôBacter7 and Reef BioFuel per 100 US-gallons daily
for one week before resuming normal dosing schedule.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13711373#post13711373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NaH2Ofreak
CHUBAKAH, how exactly do YOU know what is growing or not growing in plyle02's tank?
Dennis
Because he answered it two posts above mine? :lol:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13711373#post13711373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NaH2Ofreak
Relax brother!
Dennis
Seems it is you who needs to relax. I was only trying to steer you in the right direction.

:smokin:

Again, GL plyle02
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13712719#post13712719 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Todd March
How often are they recommending changing out the media...?

During the startup, looks like the media gets completely changed after 2 weeks, then 4 weeks, then once established, every 6 weeks changing 25%. The 1000gram media was only like $15...
 
Glad you are here... will be nice to follow a dedicated user thread from setup

However, I think Gator is right... it looks like you should be adding 100g (based on your 50 gallon system) per week until you reach 500g at 100gph at week 5 and then start changing 25% 6 weeks later... at least that's what I got from reading the PDF

I'm really thinking about going with this method myself... I need to find a canister filter that will hold about 650g of rock and have enough flow that I can just open the valve to flush them out... any ideas??

GL and keep us informed
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13713248#post13713248 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mykel Obvious
Glad you are here... will be nice to follow a dedicated user thread from setup

However, I think Gator is right... it looks like you should be adding 100g (based on your 50 gallon system) per week until you reach 500g at 100gph at week 5 and then start changing 25% 6 weeks later... at least that's what I got from reading the PDF

I'm really thinking about going with this method myself... I need to find a canister filter that will hold about 650g of rock and have enough flow that I can just open the valve to flush them out... any ideas??

GL and keep us informed

Gotcha,
I assumed it was to dump and change, but instead you continue to add 100 grams to the exisiting media? My directions are the same, I missed the each week part, and the adding to the existing media, good thing I am only in the 1st week...lol... Ok, now I can see how the reactor chamber will fill up, makes total sense....

Sorry Gator, for the mis-info....

I think I am on track now, so I will update each week with a new pic and any other new info.
 
I may still try to use my phosban reactor and maybe get a second reactor if i need more volume for the stones. and i may use a quiet one 1200 (296 gph) pump.
the other option is to get an internal canister filter but i dont know much about them.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13713304#post13713304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plyle02
Sorry Gator, for the mis-info....

I think I am on track now, so I will update each week with a new pic and any other new info.
not a problem. thought i would share the info i had. also, your experience is helping me before i start the program.
 
Gator,
I still feel the one chamber will be enough for me, but at 500grams, I can see it filling to the rim, so for the 65gallon tank, you may end up needing the second chamber. You could still use 1 pump, maybe rated slightly higher gph.

I plan on disconnecting the hose in and output, shaking the container with media vigoursly, then hooking back up to get the mulm/ film out of the reactor. We'll have to wait and see......
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13713878#post13713878 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plyle02
Gator,
I still feel the one chamber will be enough for me, but at 500grams, I can see it filling to the rim, so for the 65gallon tank, you may end up needing the second chamber. You could still use 1 pump, maybe rated slightly higher gph.

I plan on disconnecting the hose in and output, shaking the container with media vigoursly, then hooking back up to get the mulm/ film out of the reactor. We'll have to wait and see......

Oh yeah, I plan on doing this process weekly.....
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13713970#post13713970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mykel Obvious
plyle, what reactor are you using?

phosban for now.....
See how it goes, the media is kinda large, easy to get flow in and around it, I think this will suffice....
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13714127#post13714127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plyle02
phosban for now.....
See how it goes, the media is kinda large, easy to get flow in and around it, I think this will suffice....
I think thats my idea as well. But I'll look into buying a ~300gph pump so I can increase the flow a couple times a week to release the biofilm. If I start with just one phosban reactor, I'll have a couple weeks before I would need the second reactor and one pump should be good enough for both. A phosban reactor is not expensive which is consistent with the whole neo zeo method, a more reasonably price alternative to zeovit and prodibio.

Cant wait to see the progress of your results plyle. Keep us updated.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13714127#post13714127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plyle02
phosban for now.....
See how it goes, the media is kinda large, easy to get flow in and around it, I think this will suffice....

my bad, I meant what brand reactor
 
2nd week in, just added another 25% of the media as instructed for week 2, continuing to dose 2.5ml of Bacter each day. So, far I have experienced zero algae issues at all, I have not brushed the glass yet since running the media and dosing the bacter. As far as my corals go, I have noticed most of my corals getting much lighter, so I have been overfeeding to get more nutrients in the water. I also switched my bulb from a 10k to a 14k phoenix, much bluer and much less stressfull on the corals as it is placed 6" above the water(250 watt). The corals are slowing showing a darker pigment, so I think all will be well. I also added a sleeper goby, he has re-arranged the tank, so my updated pictures will not look the same, I had to re-place some corals, due to him dumping sand all over them. The updated pictures will be posted later today.
 
sounds great. You will definitely notice a change in colors with the change in bulb. So it may be a little tough to tell whether its a change from the Neo or the bulb.
Whichever it is, it will be a benefit.
Do you have close ups of the corals to show the change in colors?
 
Gator, whats up! I will snap some photos later, and post them on the thread, it will be a couple of hours before the lights come on.... I will document the thread, both good, bad, and ugly... I will also use comparitive shots, and close up coral shots to document the changes made in coloration.
Thanks.....
 
Turned on the lights a bit early, here are a few pics....

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