Zeovit without reactor

[newsalt]

I want to use Zeovit products, but I don't want to run full Zeo with a reactor and the Zeo stones. I have a 120g display tank and a 55g sump. Net volume is about 130g. I wanted to dose the following:

Zeobac
Zeofood
ZeoStart
Coral Vitalizer
Amino Acids High Concentrate

I know the results won't be as good as if I were running full Zeo. Can I do this without a reactor?

 

[Heinz]

you list more then you would need to go full zeo,

all you need to go full zeo is - stones - bac- food -start,

cv and AAHC, is something you should use after you run the basic 4 for a while anyways,

i dont think you need zeo in the first place, but if you wanne use it, i dont get why you dont run the basic 4 for a while and go from there ?

 

[volcom69]

Isnt it kind of useless though to run the basic 4 without the stones. Why not use there other products like the AAHC CV,coral snow, and many other products you can use to enhance the colors without using the stones/basic 4. I use po4 reactor with phosban to keep my po4 in check, and use some products from zeo to help color up keep the colors in my corals nice and rich, and it works great.

 

[GSMguy]

Nobody wants to run the stones, why is it that people feel the stones are not worth it but dosing redundant additives is?

 

[volcom69]

Dont have room under my tank or in my sump for another reactor,plus im just using coral snow, aahc for some nutients to keep my corals from getting to light.

 

[rkaires]

You could put the stones in a mesh bag in your sump.

 

[bethnjeremy]

running the full system, i have gotten great results. I started running the sys and my MH bulbs were switched to 20k aqualine's. I have 2x250 HQI's on ice cap ballast with 6 x39 w t-5's. My growth is a little slower 12k or 14k. I just love the color pop that you get with 20k. Well anyways i use to use zeo items while not running full zeo, now I run full zeo. If you want to use the basic 4 then get the reactor. I use to have a bunch of equip in my sump but now it is just my two skimmers and the zeo reactor. I run my carbon passively in a bag under where the water drops in from my tank. Since running zeo i have enjoyed the results.

 

[Todd March]

I think Start2 makes a fine carbon source, and you might as well use Bac too, it's cheap,and works well with Start2. Food is a nice addition, but if you really just want to get your heels wet, you could just start with Start2 and Bac... Try them for a few months, see what happens to your nutrient levels, see if you want to go further with Zeo...

 

[Kaiden]

Nobody wants to run the stones, why is it that people feel the stones are not worth it but dosing redundant additives is?

Without sounding rude, I think you are missing the point. Most people feel the stones are high risk or they are just not willing to trust themselves with such a potent additive.

For one, I feel it's smart to get in the habit of learning slowly rather than jumping in to quickly. Everyone has a way of doing things that is why this hobby is so enjoyable. Personal gratification dealing with experimentation is overwhelmingly more pleasing then being told how and when to do things.

Would it amaze you to know that I run a GFO Reactor and as well dose Vodka. Surprisingly I also dose 5 different Zeo products.

I for one am not willing to take the jump to other Zeo related products including the stones at the moment as I am extremely happy with the results I am getting. I also would disagree with calling the dosing additives redundant. That is like saying feeding your corals or your fish even is redundant! Everything is needed if each individual feels the research that they have invested is sound in there mind, then go for it.

Full Zeo is not for everyone! Including myself, however dosing a few of the products they offer is.

Again, being feedback only! If I had to do it over again, I would do it the same. No regrets, I study my craft just as others study their own. SPS is an Zen like atmosphere, I tread lightly through any door when my coin is on the line.

 

[newsalt]

What I was trying to do was copy the Polyp Labs Reef-fresh system using Zeovit products. Polyp Labs doesn't use any type of stones. So I did some research and found the equivalent Zeovit product for each Polyp Lab product:

Polyp Labs RF-Genesis = Zeobac + Zeofood
Polyp Labs RF-Acids = Zeovit Amino Acids High Concentrate
Polyp Labs RF-Plus = Zeovit Coral Vitalizer
Polyp Labs RF-Fuel = Zeovit ZeoStart

I just wanted to know if doing this without szeo stones would be a problem. I simply don't want to pump the stones, worry about changing them out, etc. I travel for my job, and my wife would handling things while I'm away. She's good for dosing drops, but she wouldn't be into pumping the reactor twice a day.

 

[cashman95]

I think you will be ok without the stones. The stones are a place for the bacteria to cultivate, helping keep the "brown film algea" off your window pains and etc. The pumping of the stones helps release built up baterica into your water which in turn feeds the corals and get skimmed out by your skimmer. Its kinda like icing on the cake in my opinion. The stones also absorb amonium out of the system before it can be induced into the bacteria cycle, helping in turn keep your nitrates lower. (kinda like another skimmer)so to speak.

I would go slow and get your nutrients to a point you feel comfortable with(via the basic 4, minus the stones) then you can start to supplement additives based on your perspective of how you corals look. This might be something a little bit more hands on than just asking your wife to throw in a couple of drops of(x). Its more than just snake oil, you have to "feel" your corals needs and dose accordingly.

Hope you can get something out of my opinion above?!?!?!?


You could try the "NeoZeo" method by Brightwell aquatics......Chris seems to explain the whole concept in a way that ordinary aquarist can understand.

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14399433#post14399433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newsalt
What I was trying to do was copy the Polyp Labs Reef-fresh system using Zeovit products. Polyp Labs doesn't use any type of stones. So I did some research and found the equivalent Zeovit product for each Polyp Lab product:

Polyp Labs RF-Genesis = Zeobac + Zeofood
Polyp Labs RF-Acids = Zeovit Amino Acids High Concentrate
Polyp Labs RF-Plus = Zeovit Coral Vitalizer
Polyp Labs RF-Fuel = Zeovit ZeoStart

I just wanted to know if doing this without szeo stones would be a problem. I simply don't want to pump the stones, worry about changing them out, etc. I travel for my job, and my wife would handling things while I'm away. She's good for dosing drops, but she wouldn't be into pumping the reactor twice a day.

Polyp labs, Fauna Marine, Brightwellâ€"Zeovit was the original inspiration for all these later product lines (as in turn it was probably vodka that inspired Zeo). Makes it funny to copy Polyp Labs with Zeo...!

You'll be fine, newsalt, without the zeolite stones... They help in faster nutrient reduction (particularly on a 3 hour on/off flow through cycle), and provide a nice flow of water born bacteria/nutrients that hopefully contribute toward feeding corals, but as any vodka or VSV user can tell you, not a necassary component of a bacterial driven carbon dosing system...

 

[newsalt]

So, bottom line.... would trying this be detrimental to my system?

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14401180#post14401180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newsalt
So, bottom line.... would trying this be detrimental to my system?

Not in my opinion and experienceâ€"I find Start2 to be a much more mild carbon source as compared to vodka or VSV or sugar or vinegar... You will use much less of it too. For my 90g full blow Zeo tank, I dose 4 drops, or .3 ml of Start2 per day. Needless to say, for trying it out, buy the smallest size possible...

The thing to research more, is about slowly adjusting and moving an established system over to carbon based dosing (bacterial nutrient export driven). You should go slow, and not expect fast, fast results (depends on the age of your tank, your nutrient levels, and any stored nutrientsâ€"substrate, rocks, etc...)...

What is your current nutrient export game plan, and why isn't it working and making you considering moving to carbon dosing?

So you know what your PO4 and NO3 levels are...?

 

[elijaher]

Most Zeovit addtivies how something to do with Potassium ratio.
Maybe get your Potassium at NSW level.

 

[Reefer08]

Is their any reactor that doesn't require manual pumping of the reactor to release the food for the corals?

 

[miwoodar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14403374#post14403374 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elijaher
Most Zeovit addtivies how something to do with Potassium ratio.

I believe the jury (the official verdict anyways) is still out on this. However, low potassium levels in zeo tanks has been speculated to be due to the stones themselves. They are likely pulling the potassium, and maybe even other metals, from the water.

Newsalt, I agree with everything Todd has said.

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14404428#post14404428 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefer08
Is their any reactor that doesn't require manual pumping of the reactor to release the food for the corals?

Fauna Marine makes a self aggitating reactor, that uses an additional air pump to really blast the stones with strong air flow a couple of times per day to dislodge the bacteria into the system. But it requires (I believe) a specilized air pump, and for the reactor and air pump you're taking like $700 or so as I remember...?

A couple of others have been working on self pumping reactors too. In a couple of years or so, hopefully they'll be a reality (in the meantime I like to get really aggressive with my Vertex reactorâ€"really pumping it like hell. Gets my aggression out. The other day my boss was an a** all day, so I came home and pumped the stones so hard and aggressively, the reactor was actually coming up and down on the sump floor, and I dislodged my pH probe...! Great anger therapy...!)

 

[cwegescheide]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14399433#post14399433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newsalt
What I was trying to do was copy the Polyp Labs Reef-fresh system using Zeovit products. Polyp Labs doesn't use any type of stones. So I did some research and found the equivalent Zeovit product for each Polyp Lab product:

Polyp Labs RF-Genesis = Zeobac + Zeofood
Polyp Labs RF-Acids = Zeovit Amino Acids High Concentrate
Polyp Labs RF-Plus = Zeovit Coral Vitalizer
Polyp Labs RF-Fuel = Zeovit ZeoStart

I just wanted to know if doing this without szeo stones would be a problem. I simply don't want to pump the stones, worry about changing them out, etc. I travel for my job, and my wife would handling things while I'm away. She's good for dosing drops, but she wouldn't be into pumping the reactor twice a day.

I've been using Zeo Amino Acids, Potassium Iodide, Zeofood 7, Sponge Power, Coral Vitalizer, K-Balance Strong and B-Balance (sparingly). My phosphates and Nitrates without use of the stones/reactor have consistantly been .02 Hanna and 0 Lamotte for a long time.

IMO it doesn't take very much AA's/Zeofood at all to get results. It is important to have low nitrates/phosphates (< 5/< .04) to get the results your looking for and DO NOT go by reccomended dosage on the bottle. Thats WAY too much and you will get a wicked algae bloom. I did and it took about a month to get rid of it. With that said I do like the results I've been getting with the supplements. Like yourself, I travel a lot for work and my wife doesn't want to have anything to do with the tank when I'm gone. Plus as sensitive as Zeo is I wouldn't want/trust anybody to mess with it because you have to really get a feel for how your tank responds to the supplements. I'd ask Bob on the zeo board. He's been very helpful to everybody that asks on dosing.

Good luck,
Chris

 

[stunreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14406360#post14406360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cwegescheide
It is important to have low nitrates/phosphates (< 5/< .04) to get the results your looking for and DO NOT go by reccomended dosage on the bottle. Thats WAY too much and you will get a wicked algae bloom.

Yep... Dosage on the bottle/guide is the max amount recommended by KZ, so I'd start with no more than half rec. dosage.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14406360#post14406360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cwegescheide
Like yourself, I travel a lot for work and my wife doesn't want to have anything to do with the tank when I'm gone.

Chris, so when you leave for business nothing is dosed, and reactor is not pumped? How long have you been gone before? How often do you ususally travel?

I'm curious as I'm begining to do A LOT more traveling for work, and I too don't want to rely on some one else for something so crucial.

Thanks!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14398979#post14398979 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kaiden
Without sounding rude, I think you are missing the point. Most people feel the stones are high risk or they are just not willing to trust themselves with such a potent additive.

On the flip side, without being rude, what Nick was getting at is that so many people want to dose things but not use zeolites, without really knowing what they do (It appears you have a good idea though).

Running the stones is a more aggressive means of nutrient reduction, but it's the easiest part of ZEO IMO. Put rocks in the reactor, and shake once daily.