Which Method Would You Choose

[layer3switchguy]

Folks,

I brought my new tank on-line in early May, using the Zeovit System. I'm at the point now, where I'm thinking of converting the tank to another low/ULNS, and would like some ideas, thoughts, etc...

There are so many options these days, my question is - If you were starting a new tank, with the goal of trying to get as close to Tank of the Month (lofty goal, I realize, and not sure I have the talent) colors as possible, what method would you employ?

My tank is as follows:

ATI 8 Bulb PM
ATB Small Cone Skimmer
4x2x2
100g net system volume
Balling Lite
Tropic Marin Bio Actif Salt

Tank will be SPS dominate.

I'm grateful for any ideas, etc....

Cheers,
L3

 

[rtparty]

Stay the course my friend. Be patient and consistent. Don't slack off for a month because we all know that SPS lose color over night and then it takes them months to get it back.

Just study and watch your tank. The corals will gain great colors if you let them do their thing. I currently dose a small amount of vodka to my tank to help control nutrients. I don't have amazing colors yet but the tank is only 2 months old.

 

[R.W.]

Stay the course! <--- well said!
Zeovit takes a while to stabilize. Patience is key! Your tank is also still brand new!

 

[sedor]

Have you considered vodka? IMO its an excellent alternative to the zeovit system mainly because it required 1 bottle as opposed to a cabinet full of chemicals. There are to many threads to count on the subject, but take a look at some of them.

One tip that I found works well is my tank always seems to do better when I keep my hands out of it. I'm not saying don't ever put your finger in the water because of course your going to have to reach in there daily. It really helps to refrain from constantly digging around moving rocks etc.

 

[crsaz]

I was runnign zeo, I was extremley satisfied witht the colors, but not with all the up keep, I decided to dump zeo and go the vodka route and I have to say Im glad I did, now all I do is dose 5ml of vodka before I leave for work. I also turned my sump that had only a sdsb into a full blown refugium, cheat didn's grow so I ditched that and decided to gow with some cacerous macros, the money plat has smothered everything else so now its just a sandbed with some tufts of money plant.:furious:
not too bad for a 3 month old system, also suffering from aefw

 

[layer3switchguy]

Thanks guys,great feedback here. Much appreciated.

 

[plyle02]

As it pertains to zeovit and the advise I have had from many zeoheads..."Stay the Course"... The system takes many months, sometimes over a year to fully stablize to where you see it's true benefits. It can be a pain in the butt, however well worth the time and efforts down the line. Once you are truly zeo balanced, the work is much easier from there...Keep it going, nice equipment list, seems as if zeo was on the mind before many of your equipment purchases. GL

 

[losthere]

KISS is the method I employ. Less chance of causing a crash, and maintenance and upkeep is very easy.
Just a skimmer, sump (no DSB, liverock, or chaeto), filter sock, GAC, GFO, dosing pumps, and weekly water changes. Anything over that is too much of a hassle, more money and just one more thing to go wrong.
I dont add anything I cant test for, i.e. vodka, vinegar, zeo, and others.
When they come up with a test kit for those things maybe I might try them. LOL
There are many ways to (pardon the pun) "skin a cat" it is all just finding what works for you.
Good luck.