Good evening everyone. Lets see if I can answer some questions.
This does not make any sense (to me). Both bio-pellets and Zeovit are essentially carbon dosing. The only difference is the Zeolith media, which has been explained to attract Ammonia and Ammonium which are the pre cursors of Nitrate, but this would not effect the po4 (interrupting the Nitrogen cycle), other than the amount used to grow the bacteria just the same as regular carbon dosing (bio-pellets, etc.). So unless the Zeolith media is also binding po4, like calcium carbonate substrate does, how is it able to be more effective with the po4? Is this why the rocks need to be exchanged out? They cease to be able to bind po4?
Note, I am not disputing any of what you are saying, I am just trying to understand the mechanics at work here.
Dennis
Hi Dennis, You are correct. The zeo material absorbs ammonium and ammonia, which prevents the nitrogen cycle from beginning. The material does not directly reduce the phosphate level. The media in the reactor serves as a safe harbor (for lack of better terms) for the bacteria to colonize. This is why you dose the zeobac and zeostart near the intake of the reactor. This is why it is important to agitate the stones on a daily basis. You are keeping a "clean" surface for the bacteria to recolonize. When you increase the flow, you are doing two things:
1) You are moving more water through the reactor so there is more opportunity for the bacteria to assimilate (process) the phosphate and nitrate.
2) You are causing some bacteria to leave the reactor and become active feeders/reproducers in your water column. These bacteria then colonize other surfaces in your aquarium.
from the neo zeo guide "...organic carbon, which
is required by organisms to process available nitrogen and phosphorus.
Hallmarks of a system that is biolimited in terms of organic carbon are the
inability of the aquarist to lower the nitrate and/or phosphate
concentration(s) and maintain it/them there for any lengthy period of time."
The rocks do need to be exchanged to continually deplete ammonia and ammonium.
I am not an expert on bio-pellets (maybe someone can chime in), but the bio pellets seem to be only effective at reducing nitrate after it has formed. The bio pellets also require the use of granular ferric oxide... which is not required by the zeo sytem.
Hope this helps. Thank you for the question.
My flow is at 16 oz in 10 seconds. I installed a ball valve on my aquamxx reactor, so this week I am going to get a new impeller. I am going to guess I need to increase the flow slowly?
Correct, Justin. Increase your flow to 16oz in 8 seconds. Let us know how it goes.
Amazing shots CUNAreefer!
Thanks SoCalDude. You always have some pretty impressive shots yourself!
Hey CUNA,
My PO4 has been holding steady the past few weeks at .019 despite feeding and little to no zeobak (I'm afraid the zeobak has spoiled). I will continue to monitor but do I need to add zeobak 2-3x per week if the PO4 levels are staying low?
Also, if I have my start3 on a doser, should it be on a stirrer? It appears to settle a little and is cloudy when I stir it.
Hey Chris, It sounds like it is time to increase your feeding. Can you tell me how your corals look? Any pale coloration or tissue recession at the base of your corals? I don't worry about mixing the start3. All I do is drill a hole in the cap and stick the intake tube from the doser in. After dosing the zeobac daily for two weeks, you can cut back the dosing to 2 or three times a week. Maybe you can post some pics of your corals.
Well reefers, thanks for the questions. 'till next time. James
