The Iwan Method
The Iwan Method
Greatings Illinois from England
I have been following the 'Iwan Method' for 10 weeks and have been asked via PM if I could do a summary of Iwan's method for this thread to supplement what Iwan has already posted here by pulling together what I have learned from Iwan's thread so far. Clearly his tank is such an inspiration.
So what follows is my understanding of his approach, a step by step run through for english speakers on how much of what is needed, reference to manufacturers recommendations and a little from my own experience.
The additives Iwan is using are in two categories:
A: Probiotic (biotechnology based on bacterial interactions with disovled componds) method - and an alternative approach to the Zeo Basic 4:
(ZB4 and Prodi differ as follows: ZB4 employs specific zeolites in a dedicated reactor that are designed to adsorb NH3 (like GAC does for DOC), are changed every 6 weeks and pumped daily. Bac cultures and bac food are added daily. Prodi is simply bac cultures and bac food dosed every 2 weeks - there is no reactor or zeolites. The content of the zeo bac cultures isnt publically disclosed, while the Prodi strains are on the manufactorers web site. Both are designed to achieve super low nutrient enviroments. ZB4 has a higher monthly running cost - as for effectiveness - each must judge for themselves from experience or from the tanks of others) - Back to Iwans method.....
1. Prodibio Bio Digest - Bacteria strains to take No3 and PO4 to undetectable levels; - Dosed every 2 weeks - 1 ampule per 1000lts;
2. Prodibio Bio TIPM (or Trace) - bacteria food. Dosed every 2 weeks - 1 ampule per 200ltrs;
3. Zeo Start 2: Carbon bacteria food: Dosed daily 1ml per 100ltrs. (One of the Zeo basic 4);
B: Coral food and trace elements:
4. Prodibio Reef Booster - Omega 3, Amino Acids, and trace elements. Dosed weekly at 1 ampule per 400ltrs;
5. Zeo Coral Vitaliser (CV)- SPS food dosed daily after lights out 1-3 drops per 100l (depending on stocking levels);
6. Zeo Amino Acid High Concentrat (AAHC): Dosed daily after lights out 1-3 drops per 1 100 ltrs - Coral growth and coloration enhancer;
7. Zeo Potassium Iodine Flouride (PIF) : Dosed twise a week anytime at 1 drop per 100ltrs;
8. Zeo K- Ballance - Potassium supplement varies depending on indicators.
Prodibio will be available shortly in the US.
Zeo products are available in the US from sponcers on the Zeo site.
When calculating how much you need of each - the following tips maybe helpfull.
1. 100lts = 26 USg
2. 3 drops from a Zeo pipette = 0.1 ml
3. Estimate net system water volume.
For example if your net water volume is 600ltrs (150 usg) the following amounts will be needed for 1 year 2 months supply based arround the 30 vials in the core product - Prodibio BioDigest:
(- Quater the amounts below if you want to trail the approach for 3 months.
- Double the amounts below if you are lucky enough to have a 1200ltr reef.
- Half the amounts below if you have a 1200ltr reefand want to trail it for 3 months.
- Etc etc)
1. BioDigests: 30 vials;
2. BioTIPM (or Bio Trace): 90 vials;
3. ZeoStart 2: 10 x 500ml bottles;
4. Prodibio Reef Booster: 60 vials (this is underdoing on a 600l - but seems OK so far on my reef);
5. Zeo CV: 100mls (Based on minimuml dosage of 1 drop per 100ltrs)(this product has a shelf life and should be kept in the fridge.);
6. Zeo AAHC: 100mls, as for CV;
7. Zeo PIF: 50 mls;
The above is what is required to follow Iwans dosage system and respectve manufactureres recommendations. In addition Iwan also uses live Phytoplancton (DT):
Iwan doses CV, AAHC, PIF, PSG etc on the basis of observing coral condition, rather than the directions in the zeo guide v1.01 mentioned above. However that guide is a good starting point for zeo noobs, and the more skilled and sensitive application of these is learned over time with experience of ones own corals.
Other points that may help:
1. Bacteria Substrate: The probiotic approachs ( Prodibio and Zeo Basic 4) results in bio films that require substrates to attach themselves to. For Zeo Basic 4 it is the Zeolith rocks and LR, - in Iwans approach it is LR and 4 inch MSB in the tank (he has no sump). In my tank it is LR and MSB in the sump (tank is BB).;
2. Ozone and UV will kill the bacteria - and are incompatible with a probiotic method;
3. Regular water changes are used to replenish trace elements;
4.1 Calcium, Alkalinity and PH: In common with all other systems - CA/DKH/MG/PH need to be maintained at NSW levels - . I have found that Prodibio is effective at 10.2 dkh for those who are concerned about PH dips. Iwan and Zeo run thier DKH at 8.
4.2 Kalkwasser is not required, with the use of aragonite MSB and a CA reactor. As the tank matures and CA demand increases, a CA reactor will have to run at full pelt, be exchanged for a larger one or as Iwan does - use the balling method to supplement the CA reactor.
4.3 Given the strong acidification that will result from hyper active bacteria, I would recommend that a DSB or MSB of aragonite is used in the tank or sump to buffer the water and maintain PH at 8.1 just before lights go on (point of highest acidification in the daily cycle. My sump MSB base area is 20% of the tank base area and seems to work fine;
5. Protein skimming is always helpfull. I have found that taking the skimmer off for 3 weeks to test the effect on phyto and zoo plancton populations did not result in a rise of NO3 or PO4. I took off a super agressive detlec skimmer, but have since put on a more plancton friendly Tunze skimmer. NO3 and PO4 remain undetectable. Skimmate is lightening gradually the longer Prodio is used;
6. Algae refugium: IME the effect on algae refugium with Prodibio is similar to the reported effect with Zeo BAsic 4. During the first 4 weeks the chateo continued to grow well, then stagnated and at week 6 begab to die due to NO3 PO4 starvation - so keep an eye out for that.
7. Activated carbon: I have found that 24/7 use of activated carbon (rowacarbon) through a Tunze quick change filter (ie powered) has not resulted in STN or RTN. This is switched of for 30 mins after any dosage). However - I may not be experiencing the full effect of the coral food and trace element suppliments and will change carbon use to 24/7 passive use;
8. Fluidised Rowaphos: This media is at the very last stage in the sump - and the small amount that I fluidise has not been depleted. This may indicate that it is no longer needed. Iwan no longer uses it;
9 Lighting: There is no doubt in Germany that T5 lighting with individual parabolic reflectors alternating between actinic and white bulbs in a 50/50 ratio is highly effective for SPS. Full side to side and front to back coverage is required. This will have a radiant heat effect and raise tank water temperatures. Running fans to cool T5 bulbs will control tank water temperature and increase T5 light output.
It allows coral placement across the full length and width of the tank to a depth of 80cm (depending on SPS species) from the tubes. Iwan changes his approx every 8 months - dannano (RC TOTM March 05 hasnt changes his in over 2 years). B Mohr described a slowing of SPS growth after 9 months.
10. SPS Coloration: None of the above can turn a genetically brown sps into any other colour. This approach will make the best of the color in the coral DNA.
11. Risks:
An attractive feature of the Prodibio approach has been no observed risk of RTN due to rapid changes in clinical nitrogen cycle parameters.
I suggest you can be confident to use the Prodibio elements from day 1, along with Zeo CV and AAHC when NO3 and PO4 are undetectable (these 2 start at 1 drop per 100lts per day and titrate the dope upwards in 2 weekly intervals)
There are contra indications with ZeoStart2 and PIF and PSG that are described in the Zeo Guide V1.01.
So much for the theory - what about the results? Can others follow the Iwan method and see improvements?
Attached are before and after shots of the impact after 9 weeks on a brown hystrix. The only variable between the two pics have been:
1) The 3 Prodibio products described above started when the first pic was taken;
2) Zeo CV started 4 weeks after;
3) Zeo AAHC started at week 7.
Lighting feeding etc etc have remain constant. Mg has had a downward presuure and flucuates between 1180 and 1220.
Finally a pic of my tank in case anyone is interested....? It is 5 months young - so more planting to do.
HTH
I hope this is a helpful sumarry of what I have learned to date - and many many thanks to Iwan for introducing the english speaking world to this approach.
Cheers for now
Simon (trythechi)
