<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14519091#post14519091 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newsalt
I just started my 2nd week of this dosing and I noticed my PO4 climb. It was 0.05. I did two tests the other day, one was 0.08, the other was 0.17 using a Hanna meter. Is it common to have the PO4 rise when starting this dosing?
No, it's not common.
Are you using a liquid test kit? If so, make sure your rinsing VERY well in RO/DI then tank water as Chris mentioned, however IME liquid PO4 kits never produced consistant or accurate results so I bought a Hanna meter. BTW I tried the Salifert and Elos liquid PO4 kits.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14521534#post14521534 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bosborn1
I find myself wanting to run stones with just Vodka. I am getting the bio film and even mulm in the tank. It would be nice to have it all tucked away in the reactor...I know when you stir it gets released..But its better than it being on the glass.
Interesting thought, but you still get a bit of the "mulm/film" on the glass and rocks while running ZEOvit in a reactor with the basic four... not much though, and it's barely visible. If you're seeing a ton, it's a sign of overdosing one component of the ZEOvit system, but your not running full zeo so I'm not sure... I'll look at the guide when I get a chance and let you know what it says about excess mulm/film.
With that said the addition of rocks will give more surface area for the bacteria to build up on, and you might be able to prevent as much build up in your DT by utilizing stones in a reactor, and by dosing your carbon source (and bacteria if applicable) right in front (upstream) of the reactor. Iwan implemented zeolites when he was using alternative bactera strains and carbon sources back in the day (IIRC they were the Prodibio versions), but he later changed back to zeo's basics.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14523548#post14523548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by troyman
go on any zeolite website about the stones it is impossible for them to asorb ammonia in saltwater in freshwater yes salt no they tom pohl of zeovit claim they do but there are many other scientists that have proven they dont also to rejuvinate the rock you use a saltwater soulution to clean the pores out again it does not remove amonia from saltwater none save your money all the rocks do is give a place to bacteria to grow is not that what we have our live rock to do if you tank care of your tank and supplement you do not need hundred of dollers for zeovit another gimmick people fall for
Troyman, ZEOvit is NOT a gimmick, and it works, as with many Bacterial Driven Systems. If you don't use it, or don't understand it, I really don't see the need for you to consistantly bash the heck out of it on this (and other) forum(s).
There are many ways to run a reef tank, and this is just one, to each his own.
I could totally understand warning fellow reefers if this actually was a gimmick or snake oil, but it's not. So for you to say everyone who uses it is wasting hundreds of dollars is simply not true.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14524285#post14524285 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kaskiles
Would it do any good to run a reactor with rocks, without using any of the four basic drops?
It would simply be more surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow on. Depending how much truth there is behind zeolites ability to permanantly bind ammonia (as Troyman pointed out) there could be more to it. I'm not 100% sold that zeolites do bind NH3/NH4+, but I do know many zeo users that have experienced GREAT results utilizing zeolites, and I for one am not an experimenter. I'd love to find out if we can use just small bits of LR, but I am willing to spend a bit more for PROVEN success... to each his own.
