Whats your favorite method of SPS Husbandry?
- Thread starter joefish
- Start date
boobookitty
Active member
Hmmm...I think you'll find that in most successful environments, good husbandry is...stressed. 
That having been said, weekly water changes are strongly recommended, but a few people are going with less frequency (two weeks, a month) with success. For me, I do 15% weekly; with zeovit, the results have been amazing enough that I don't plan to change the routine.
Arthur
That having been said, weekly water changes are strongly recommended, but a few people are going with less frequency (two weeks, a month) with success. For me, I do 15% weekly; with zeovit, the results have been amazing enough that I don't plan to change the routine.Arthur
joefish
Premium Member
boobookitty,
I've seen the results of the zeo ,and they're pretty impressive .
A few question though ,
1-I've heard of the dosing being not an exact , how thin or wide is the margin for under doing to over doing it ?
2- I think some of the technology behind it is the large amount of ammonia eating bacteria . Does that bacteria need Oxygen ? If so does it shorten the time for a crash if there is a power outage .
No Flames are intended , these are just some things that I was wondering about that I had in the back of my head .
I've seen the results of the zeo ,and they're pretty impressive .
A few question though ,
1-I've heard of the dosing being not an exact , how thin or wide is the margin for under doing to over doing it ?
2- I think some of the technology behind it is the large amount of ammonia eating bacteria . Does that bacteria need Oxygen ? If so does it shorten the time for a crash if there is a power outage .
No Flames are intended , these are just some things that I was wondering about that I had in the back of my head .
boobookitty
Active member
1-I've heard of the dosing being not an exact , how thin or wide is the margin for under doing to over doing it ?
Generally, there is a guide that everyone starts with: 1 drop of 'bac and 'food for each 25g of true water volume, and 1ml of 'start for each 100g, daily for the first two weeks of changing zelites and twice a week after that. After phosphates and nitrates are driven into the ground and the zeo process is more established, some users tweak a little, depending on what coral coloring they want (darker or lighter). I'm 6 months in and pretty much stick with the original dosing, although my phosphates/nitrates are undetectable and I've dropped the use of zeostart (whose primary purpose is a quicker elimination of phosphates/nitrates in the beginning).
2- I think some of the technology behind it is the large amount of ammonia eating bacteria . Does that bacteria need Oxygen ? If so does it shorten the time for a crash if there is a power outage.
This has been discussed on the zeovit forum (e.g. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=438251&highlight=oxygen) and the belief is that the ZEOvit method, as opposed to the Vodka method, does not create heavy bacterial population booms creating extreme hypoxic zones. There is a belief that DSB systems would be more susceptible to the problem than zeo tanks. A few users have lost flow for a few hours without ill effect.
Arthur
Generally, there is a guide that everyone starts with: 1 drop of 'bac and 'food for each 25g of true water volume, and 1ml of 'start for each 100g, daily for the first two weeks of changing zelites and twice a week after that. After phosphates and nitrates are driven into the ground and the zeo process is more established, some users tweak a little, depending on what coral coloring they want (darker or lighter). I'm 6 months in and pretty much stick with the original dosing, although my phosphates/nitrates are undetectable and I've dropped the use of zeostart (whose primary purpose is a quicker elimination of phosphates/nitrates in the beginning).
2- I think some of the technology behind it is the large amount of ammonia eating bacteria . Does that bacteria need Oxygen ? If so does it shorten the time for a crash if there is a power outage.
This has been discussed on the zeovit forum (e.g. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=438251&highlight=oxygen) and the belief is that the ZEOvit method, as opposed to the Vodka method, does not create heavy bacterial population booms creating extreme hypoxic zones. There is a belief that DSB systems would be more susceptible to the problem than zeo tanks. A few users have lost flow for a few hours without ill effect.
Arthur
boobookitty
Active member
have seen many times over, negative effects on corals when the water is changed weekly. Corals close up for a day or two which in my opion isn't healthy. Stable environment is the goal to shot for.
I haven't experienced that at all using zeovit, and believe me, I obsessively look at my corals. The use of zeovit has, for me, caused growth to increase dramatically, and polyp extension to be a constant. With that much growth the concern is the depletion of trace elements, which the water changes help.
Arthur
I haven't experienced that at all using zeovit, and believe me, I obsessively look at my corals.
The use of zeovit has, for me, caused growth to increase dramatically, and polyp extension to be a constant. With that much growth the concern is the depletion of trace elements, which the water changes help.Arthur
kev apsley
In Memoriam
I always get awesome polyp extension after a small water change.
Kreeger1
KING LEAR
I'm not saying my way is the way to do it, Its the just they way I've found best for me. I do a water change when something doesn't look right other than that is usually twice a year.
I overskim, was a big fan of Kalk now Im a calcium ractor fan, Water movement is a must, and I rarely test my water. My new tank has been setup for about 6 months now, and Im still getting it all dialed in to the success of my previous tanks.
Which I had Dendros for several years that I fragged and had crazy acro growth.
I feel true success with sps corals comes from a well established and stable tank. Changing to many things really isn't great IMO for the corals
Erik
Not trying to push anyone this way at all. I know there are people out there that don't do water changes like me, I add salt water like once a month though due to heavy wet skimming
Erik
I overskim, was a big fan of Kalk now Im a calcium ractor fan, Water movement is a must, and I rarely test my water. My new tank has been setup for about 6 months now, and Im still getting it all dialed in to the success of my previous tanks.
Which I had Dendros for several years that I fragged and had crazy acro growth.
I feel true success with sps corals comes from a well established and stable tank. Changing to many things really isn't great IMO for the corals
Erik
Not trying to push anyone this way at all. I know there are people out there that don't do water changes like me, I add salt water like once a month though due to heavy wet skimming
Erik
boobookitty
Active member
Hi, joefish...
Generally, the primary concern with OD is with the zeostart additive...an OD in the beginning can cause very quick drops in phosphates/nitrates and can cause some tissue loss, etc. I myself OD'd zeostart when I started (10x what I was supposed to use!) but didn't personally experience any severe reaction.
Zeolite, 'bac and 'food dosings are generally more forgiving...it's not like a 10% OD would cause huge problems, and in fact there is a decent range in what people use/recommend. The health and color of the corals is a pretty good indication of any sort of OD.
In addition to the above additives ('bac, 'food and 'start), there are a few others that some use once the tank is zeo-established (3+ months in) to get better coloring, etc.; an iron additive, an amino acid one, and an iodine-related one, for example. In particular, there is one other additive, Zeospur2, that can cause a lot of problems if it is OD'd. It is sometimes used by people without the rest of the system, because it can have a dramatic brightening effect on SPS even in non-zeo tanks, but if OD it can cause STN, etc. However, once a tank is fully zeo-established, its use can cause a lot of growth and really nice coloring. It is added once every two weeks or so, in a dosing similar to zeostart (1ml per 100g) or less. Since it is purely optional (along with the iron, iodine, etc.), a lot of folks don't use it at all...I didn't start using it until a month ago, in low quantities (and it did cause a growth spurt, btw).
Arthur
Generally, the primary concern with OD is with the zeostart additive...an OD in the beginning can cause very quick drops in phosphates/nitrates and can cause some tissue loss, etc. I myself OD'd zeostart when I started (10x what I was supposed to use!) but didn't personally experience any severe reaction.
Zeolite, 'bac and 'food dosings are generally more forgiving...it's not like a 10% OD would cause huge problems, and in fact there is a decent range in what people use/recommend. The health and color of the corals is a pretty good indication of any sort of OD.
In addition to the above additives ('bac, 'food and 'start), there are a few others that some use once the tank is zeo-established (3+ months in) to get better coloring, etc.; an iron additive, an amino acid one, and an iodine-related one, for example. In particular, there is one other additive, Zeospur2, that can cause a lot of problems if it is OD'd. It is sometimes used by people without the rest of the system, because it can have a dramatic brightening effect on SPS even in non-zeo tanks, but if OD it can cause STN, etc. However, once a tank is fully zeo-established, its use can cause a lot of growth and really nice coloring. It is added once every two weeks or so, in a dosing similar to zeostart (1ml per 100g) or less. Since it is purely optional (along with the iron, iodine, etc.), a lot of folks don't use it at all...I didn't start using it until a month ago, in low quantities (and it did cause a growth spurt, btw).
Arthur
invincible569
New member
eriksmacks said:
Ive seen this happen when someone doesnt change their water correctly. Some people just add the salt and mix. What they dont realize is that the new water has different paramaters than their main tank. They need to level it out before changing.
I do weekly water changes and the corals love it!
boobookitty
Active member
Hi, Ed.
Actually, that's a good point: there are water changes, and there are water changes. I try to match temp and salinity for the weekly; prior to starting to do that a few years back, water changes were, in fact, sometimes stressful to the tank. I don't generally match alk, calc, etc., since I only do 10%-15% at a time, but if I had to do, say, a 50% water change for an emergency, I'd definitely try to match them as well.
Arthur
Actually, that's a good point: there are water changes, and there are water changes.
I try to match temp and salinity for the weekly; prior to starting to do that a few years back, water changes were, in fact, sometimes stressful to the tank. I don't generally match alk, calc, etc., since I only do 10%-15% at a time, but if I had to do, say, a 50% water change for an emergency, I'd definitely try to match them as well.Arthur
invincible569
New member
I feel that ZEOvit, BB, ROWAphos, Phosban, etc all aim to the same low nutrient levels. From that point, its your care that really brings out the colors and health out of your tank. Ive noticed that people who are REALLY into their tank have GREAT results with SPS. These guys go far beyond than just feeding their fish. You know who you are and so do we. For example, a local reefer who said they have a tank full of SPS and they get a frag from me.. then they get home and it dies a couple days later. Then I ask.. test your water. He then says, I havent tested my water in over a yr. ??? Things like this upset me and you always see these people complaining why they cant great colors and growth. Test Kits are VERY VERY important. Understand your tank and you can then make judgements on what needs to be tweaked.
My ZEOvit proof:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=3946042#post3946042
My ZEOvit proof:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=3946042#post3946042
boobookitty
Active member
Actually, zeovit and good husbandry go together, so it won't instill any bad habits. In general, I can't think of a reason not to use zeovit starting out. Obviously there are great methods out there, but for me zeo has allowed me to get to a nutrient-poor environment and create a healthy SPS-oriented tank, so I'm a big proponent. If I weren't using it, I'd probably go BB at this point, with maybe a thin sand layer for looks (don't like the BB look).
Edited to add: but people need to be aware that this is a system, not a product to dump in or some sort of absorber like phosban. I'd agree with gt that an experienced reefer just getting into SPS might be a good candidate, but someone new to salt in general probably should get experience first with having a reef tank - but then again, they probably shouldnt be jumping into SPS to start with anyway...
Arthur
Edited to add: but people need to be aware that this is a system, not a product to dump in or some sort of absorber like phosban. I'd agree with gt that an experienced reefer just getting into SPS might be a good candidate, but someone new to salt in general probably should get experience first with having a reef tank - but then again, they probably shouldnt be jumping into SPS to start with anyway...
Arthur
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