Zeovit Systems?

[JahReefster]

Hey, all--

I was wondering if anybody's been using the Zeovit system in their tanks. I have consistently high nitrate even though I do water changes and have a refugium with chaeto in it. My tank has a heavy bioload. Phosphates are taken care of using phosban. I've thought about using vodka or sugar but the potential consequences look a little dicey to me from what I can understand from discussion on the Reef Chemistry forum, I'm not sure that would work without killing the macro algae and maybe my mushrooms, and also I'm not sure it would work anyway with the phosphates so down and the nitrates up without equalizing them somehow (maybe just removing the phosban).

I'm not quite sure what the etiquette of the Board is-- I realize there are sponsor forums, but I'm more interested in testimonials from people I know. Hopefully this is okay. I think Marc Daniels uses Zeovit-- anybody else?

Fred :smokin:

 

[Marc Daniels]

Fred-

I gave up on it, and now use sort of a modified version. I believe that the Zeo system works, but was not convinced that it works better than some of the other methods out there. My main reason for giving up was cost. The Zeo products run int he range of $40 - $100 depending on the additive, per bottle. With a smaller tank it is fairly cost efficient, but dosing 300g is a different story.

 

[JahReefster]

Marc, what other methods should I be investigating, other than those I've already mentioned?

Fred

 

[Marc Daniels]

Fred-

I think one of the biggest factors to success in the Zeo system can be attributed to the rigorous maintenance schedule.
1) Weekly 10% water changes w/ RODI.
2) Heavy Skimming
3) Activated Carbon Changed Regulary
4) etc.

What people need to remember about the Zeo system, is that it was designed primarily for SPS dominated tanks with very light bio loads. The Zeo goal was to get the tank parameters to Normal Seawater Levels (NSW). This means no detectable Nitrates, and Phosphates down below .02 or so. A lot of the Zeo additives are meant to feed the coral through direct capture and absorption. In the ocean, the NSW levels are very low, but the abundance of food available is astronomical. In our aquariums, the water levels are raised, but the suspended available food is almost nil (when compared to NSW).

Personally, what I have gone to is a modifed Zeo/Deep Sandbed (DSB) system. I have a 5" DSB in the tank, about 250lbs of live rock, and a moderate fish load. I structured my fish load so that it leaned heavily towards herbivores, and then threw in a couple of carnivores/omnivores (fairy wrasses, dottybacks, etc). I feed lightly, and rely on my fish to graze for their food among the abundant life available to them. The majority of food that I do feed is high quality such a Arctipods, Cyclopeeze every few days, and I feed my tangs on natural food that hasn't been processed (processed foods are usually high in phosphates & nitrates).

As a side note, I see people coment about their high Phosphate & Nitrate levels, followed by "but I have a large algae packed refugium so it should be low". As the macro alage grows, it consumes Nitrates & Phosphates. Then a lot of hobbyists feed thsi back to the tangs in their tank. Which reintroduced the Phosphate & Nitrates back into the tank again. If you are using alage for nutrient export, the algae needs to be removed from the system, not fed back into it. When I pull algae I let it bake in the sun for a few days (kills it) and then dispose of it, or toss it into my compost.

 

[JahReefster]

Marc, thanks for taking the time to post the thoughtful reply. Everything you say makes sense and I've read it elsewhere, but good things need repeating sometimes. I agree with you about harvesting the macro; that's my practice too. Funny how it always seems to come back to good husbandry and regular water changes, isn't it?

Fred

 

[Marc Daniels]

That's it in a nutshell. Get your levels dialed in and then regular maintenance. I think two of the biggest factors is adequate random water flow, and stability. Don't have the pH, alk, calcium, etc fluctuating wildly.

 

[xia]

I know TrevDog has tried it. You could ask him. Last I heard he was selling his tank, so I'm not sure if he's going to be around that much.

 

[CaptiveReefSystems]

I am testing a system that uses a bacteria to remove nitrate. It will take about a month to see how it does, but the documentation I have reports exceptional results. The system can be setup as a DIY or you can purchase tanks ready to go.

I will try to report back in a month or so.

 

[prodman]

JahReefster-
I have been using zeo for about a year now. I like the system but its not cheap. Check out www.zeovit.com for more info.


Marc-
I wondered where you went. Are you using any zeo products?

 

[Marc Daniels]

Hey Paul.

The basic system is fairly cost effective, but everytime I encountered a problem the response was "start adding this". Well when a bottle of "this" is $80 for 500ml, and I'm dosing weekly at 50ml it goes pretty fast. With 260g net I was going through a lot of bottles. Every 2-3 months I was dropping some serious cash on the various components.

Also, what I didn't like was the scattered availability of the components. I'd get with a week or two of running out of something, and find that it was back ordered from Germany and would be in "sometime".

I do still use the HCAA and and the CV. I'm keeping my levels down near NSW, but have not been running the basic or the rocks for a few months. No nitrate, and my Phosphate is at .04 on my Hanna.

If I had a smaller dedicated SPS tank I would revert back to the true Zeo system. I just don't like the look of a bare SPS only tank with hardly any other life.

 

[prodman]

Marc - ok thanks. I am have been getting tired of the dosing latley and the cost on my 120 is more than I would like as well. I have been so busy and I about to move I was debating to give the zeo a brake.