Zeovit users:Some input needed...

[jnc914]

Hi

I had attempted to use Vertex Bio-Pellets on my tank for the last month or so. Besides getting my nitrates to be nonexistent and my acros noticeably growing, it also lead to an explosion of nuisance algaes(hair, brown slime, bryopsis, etc). After continually trying to tweak the reactor flow, and with the algae explosion getting out of hand, I pulled the reactor off line. I am just running carbon and Rowa-phos and I have noticed an immediate die off of some of the algae.

So, I got a Zeovit reactor and starter kit as a Xmas gift. My main question is if I start this method, will I again have such an explosion of nuisance algae, etc? It seems like the two methods closely mirror each other in regards to culturing bacteria to get ULNS....I am concerned to put the reactor online if my tank is going to look like a mess of algae again.....

 

[Allmost]

Hello,
Zeovit is much different than bio-pellets, the only part they share is dosing of organic carbon to get bacteria population going.

Zeovit, will lower nutritions so much to get rid of the algae, in bio pellets, more N is removed and less Po4, in Zeovit, both are removed ! so no po4 remover is needed.

I strongly recommend posting on Zeovit forums, and let alexander or Bob help you with the dosing. they are very knowledgeable.

 

[jnc914]

Hello,
Zeovit is much different than bio-pellets, the only part they share is dosing of organic carbon to get bacteria population going.

Zeovit, will lower nutritions so much to get rid of the algae, in bio pellets, more N is removed and less Po4, in Zeovit, both are removed ! so no po4 remover is needed.

I strongly recommend posting on Zeovit forums, and let alexander or Bob help you with the dosing. they are very knowledgeable.

Very informative, Thanks. :beer:

 

[plyle02]

I will try and find the english PDF, which IMO really helps. There is also a sticky on the zeovit forum on the english reef discusion board that gives more updated advice. Here are some of the things that pop in my head to get you going.
1. Set up with dead sand, not live... this leads to algae issues down the line.
2. Get to and consistently keep NSW values so your corals get used to NSW values, too much of any change all at once will upset your corals.
3. Make sure and soak zeolites in rodi for 24-48 hours and rinse several times.
4. Start your flow off slow through the reactor, then ramp up over the course of a week or so, this allows your system time to adjust to the rapid reduction of ammonia.
5. I would add some liverock to your sump or in the tank, the fresher the better.
6. Get those algaes out before zeovit, the system does allow low nutrients, but I find their products to aid in coloration more than an algae removal system, which can become costly if that is the sole purpose.
7. Active or passive carbon is a must, I prefer KZ's carbon, and passively seems to be what most users do. Make sure the carbon is soaked for at least 24 hours, and they alos reccomend the carbon to be heated, more info on the exact method on their site.
8. Less is more with zeovit, I only use 1/2 of their recommended product, for pretty much all their stuff, just my philosophy.
9. Test, test, test..."K" needs to be tested as well, you will likely need to tweek your ca, alk, and mag, as the zeolites may absorb some trace elements, and the manner in which consumption takes place. Test daily for many weeks, then I personally went back to weekly.
10. Monitor your corals, if you see any signs of them declining, stop dosing.
11. Don't use too many products at once. I would stick to the basic 4, then add 1 at a time so you can monitor and see the results. To become zeovit balanced can take up to 3-4 zeolite exchanges(every 4-6 weeks), in some cases a year. Once balanced, I would reserve other coral coloring agents. I would think the following would be acceptable, not 100%, but what worked for me.
Coral Snow, Sponge Power, KB Strong, Zeozyme are a few you could use after a couple of exchanges with negative effects, again, my opinion on what worked for me.

Their site is really where you need to go, very awesome guys over there.
Cheers,

 

[Bayliner]

JNC914,
Did you set up the Zeovit reactor ?
I just started this weekend was curious to see how your first month went

Thanks
CamG