zeovit,biopellets,vodka dosing etc Q&A

[rogerwilco357]

Ok just read A thread on how people are using bio-pellets, vodka dosing or the zeovit system and there was alot of debate on which was best or worked better etc..
What I want to know is this.
1.what system do you use vodka,zeo,biopellets etc...
2.does it work?
3.what skimmer are you using ?
4.what lighting do you use metal halide,t5's or led's
5.and what size tank is this all happening on?
I think this would help alot of people who are considering either starting A method to help with there tank and there corals especially the SPS type. And or could help with equipment they should be using ..
Thanks for playing
Roger
P.s I would fall under the need to know what equipment I should have before starting one of these regimens as I will be starting one soon ..

 

[beeker]

1.what system do you use vodka,zeo,biopellets etc...

I used a method most others do not use, i dose Vodka only 3 days a week, i also am dosing Elo's aminos at 2 drops a day, Phol's xtra at 2ml per day and 9 drops of Elo's pro skimmer a day

So far i've only been doing the Elos pro skimmer and pohls xtra for a week, so far i have noticed a difference, though i think the phol's xtra is a mix of vinegar and amino's which IMO is the same as me dosing the Vodka and aminos, but i have seen an improvement in deeper color with adding it at only 2ml per day which is only a 50g dose i don't think it is something i'd ever dose the full amount of because with the Vodka and aminos i'm already adding i would hate for them to conflict each other but so far so good

2.does it work?
IMO yes it does work, so far i've noticed better growth/PE and a lot better color


3.what skimmer are you using ?
MSX160 with Red demon pinwheel and Valute intake mod, this skimmer IMO is perfectly rated for my tank, not too small and not oversized, i get a full cup of skimate every week


4.what lighting do you use metal halide,t5's or led's
i used 20 PAR38 led spotlights

4 20k with 40 optics
8 12k's with 40 optics
4 all royal blue with 60 optics
4 custom 4 cool blue 1 neutral white with 60 optics

So far from what i've learned i will be switching out some of the cool white leds in the 12k bulbs for more royal blue and neutral white, This IMO is the only thing holding back color on my sps


5.and what size tank is this all happening on?
200g marineland DD with a 40g sump

 

[smokey30]

1.what system do you use vodka,zeo,biopellets etc...
I am currently using Brightwells NeoZeo..This included the rocks in next reef reactor, Bio-fuel, MB7 and a couple other Brightwell additives

2.does it work?
I have mixed reviews of this, on one hand it does work I have undetectable PO4 or nitrates. Growth on my sps is pretty stellar water is crystal clear all the time. On the other hand its dose make "most" of your corals look a lot lighter, I have RPE's that turned a light pink color and a digi that turned completely white but is still alive and has polyps (weird). Also not sure if it was cause of this method but I got a lot of brown slime on everything people say it just comes with using this method. I just recently took the rocks offline and the RPE's have gotten their color back, but the digi still looks albino. I guess I am just not a fan how it makes your corals look.

3.what skimmer are you using ?
SWC xtreme 160 modified with Sicce PSK 2500 pump with red devil needle wheel

4.what lighting do you use metal halide,t5's or led's
Ati Sunpower 6x39

5.and what size tank is this all happening on?
50 Gallons

Right now I am continuing to use the Brightwell products without the rocks and see what kinda of results I have. As for other dosing I just use B-Ionic 2 part and Mag.

 

[reefsic]

1.what system do you use vodka,zeo,biopellets etc...
Did Full Blown Zeovit for approx 1.5yrs. Now I am currently on MB7 + Vodka

2.does it work?
Zeovit was very stable and I was happy with results; only problem cost and availability. MB7 + Vodka has drastically helped to rid off cyano and water clarity is amazing after just 1+/- month!!!

3.what skimmer are you using ?
KZ Revolution S when I was on Zeovit. Ran a NAC7 on MB7 + Vodka but recently upgraded to a WM K2

4.what lighting do you use metal halide,t5's or led's
6x80w Overdriven T5's

5.and what size tank is this all happening on?
190g/220g Total Volume

*I also add Potassium, Iron, Iodine, AA, Mag and VitC as needed!

 

[rogerwilco357]

skimmer

skimmer

1.what system do you use vodka,zeo,biopellets etc...
Did Full Blown Zeovit for approx 1.5yrs. Now I am currently on MB7 + Vodka

2.does it work?
Zeovit was very stable and I was happy with results; only problem cost and availability. MB7 + Vodka has drastically helped to rid off cyano and water clarity is amazing after just 1+/- month!!!

3.what skimmer are you using ?
KZ Revolution S when I was on Zeovit. Ran a NAC7 on MB7 + Vodka but recently upgraded to a WM K2

4.what lighting do you use metal halide,t5's or led's
6x80w Overdriven T5's

5.and what size tank is this all happening on?
190g/220g Total Volume

*I also add Potassium, Iron, Iodine, AA, Mag and VitC as needed!

so you upgraded the skimmer when you went to the vodka dosing , while on the zeovit system did you have problems with the cyano? I would love to try the zeo system but yeah it is expensive thinking of giving the vodka a shot need to gather as much info on what people use so I know I at least have the hardware to tackle the task at hand..thanks for the input to all who have answered I think it will help alot of people choose what system to go with especially if they have the hardware already that will enable them to choose which system is best for them at the time..

 

[reefsic]

so you upgraded the skimmer when you went to the vodka dosing , while on the zeovit system did you have problems with the cyano? I would love to try the zeo system but yeah it is expensive thinking of giving the vodka a shot need to gather as much info on what people use so I know I at least have the hardware to tackle the task at hand..thanks for the input to all who have answered I think it will help alot of people choose what system to go with especially if they have the hardware already that will enable them to choose which system is best for them at the time..

When on Zeo, I had no issues with Cyano; cyano actually became a problem when I moved completely off of Zeo. Per SunnyX's suggestions, a huge skimmer works best when on the MB7+Vodka method, so I upgraded. Gotta say, its been working well for me!

 

[allsps40]

1. I did dose vodka, half recommended dose
2. For me no, it made things worse. Cyano bloom, pale colors lost my Aussi Acan and ****ed my xenia off. I feed more while dosing but it did not help with colors.
3. Octopus NW110 modded
4. 250 watt 20k MH
5. 40 breeder 50 gallons total system.
Now I still heavy heavy, have 0 no3 and po4 and getting great growth and colors are looking good. I also dose kalk and AAs along with feeding the fish and sps.

 

[mark54321]

1.what system do you use vodka,zeo,biopellets etc...
I am using bio pellets in TLF reactor (half NP bio pellets and half WM Eco-back)
2.does it work?
Seems to be working great for me.No PO4 or NO3 issues,I have a lot of fish and feed them two times daily,corals have great vibrant colors and they grow fast.
3.what skimmer are you using ?
Vertex IN-180
4.what lighting do you use metal halide,t5's or led's
Tek Light 8x54W with ATI bulbs changed every 6 months
5.and what size tank is this all happening on?
120 gal. with 40 gal.sump

 

[mrsmithers]

1. Vodka dosing since sep. 2010 with MB7 and AA
2. Seems to be working"¦clearer water and nasty skimmate. Coral colors are popping especially my ORA Plum Crazy its crazy purple even with my lights off
3. G3, looking to upgrade, but who has the money
4. Dual 175 iwasaki on ICECAP with T5 supplement
5. 150gallon with 42gallon sump

 

[rogerwilco357]

reefsic : so you had some issues with the cyano then upgraded the skimmer and that was that ? I see you use the t5's how long of a photo period? So far I have figured out that when dosing anything seems the skimmer is very important larger is better when it comes to vodka dosing ?

 

[allsps40]

Larger is better when it comes to sps tanks IMO. I would like to upgrade to newer NW110 with the pin wheel and bubble plate but yeah who has the money right now.

 

[langtudatinh01]

well, i want to try vodka dosing but both of my nitrate and phosphate is undetectable. i think the algae in the tank consume them quickly because they are still there and growing. if i can't detect NO3 and PO4, how will i adjust my vodka dosing? Thanks.

 

[reefsic]

reefsic : so you had some issues with the cyano then upgraded the skimmer and that was that ? I see you use the t5's how long of a photo period? So far I have figured out that when dosing anything seems the skimmer is very important larger is better when it comes to vodka dosing ?

No issues with Cyano when I was on Zeo. I had decided to kick Zeo bcuz it was just difficult to get and I was spending an arm and a leg on shipping, let alone the Zeo additives itself.

I noticed cyano after I had been off of Zeo. This is what led me to follow the MB7+Vodka Method. Since then I've siphoned out as much cyano as possible and started the 2 week MB7 seeding process. Bacteria took over and starved the cyano (I'm guessing) as I no longer have it in my DT.

 

[rogerwilco357]

awesome thanks for the input you seem to have it down to a science..
Roger