Make sure you are dosing enough zeobak

[Tom Berry]

If, like me, you have been using zeo for some time and haven't seen the same results as others are reporting; try increasing your dosage of bak.

Based on the length of time I'd been running zeo, I thought I was in a low nutrient phase, where you need to reduce dosages. I couldn't detect any nitrates or phosphates with Salifert kits, but I had a persistent algae problem. In reality, I had been under dosing bak from the beginning.

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2838

Since the bacteria are critical to the zeo system, it's important to dose enough to get things fully going. Start with the guide recommendation of 1 drop per 25 gallons net system volume, 2x weekly (every other day for 2 weeks after changing zeolites). If you are using something other than the zeodropper bottle top, make sure to compensate for drop size. Since slightly overdosing bak doesn't seem to have serious consequences, I'd err on that side.

Also, increase your food dosage accordingly, especially if you are not using start2.

Tom

[North Bay 101]

I am with you Tom. I have changed my dosing this last week and can already see the difference. I too was wondering why I had some algae hanging around and when I saw your first post it all made sense. THANKS.

Gordon

[Aged Salt]

Hi Zeoheads, there's no problem with allowing the specialized multi-culture bacteria to chew up the algae[via nutrient depletion.] If one is truly underdosing this can be a benefit. If not, STN from the undersides will begin to appear, as the corals are exulting too much energy from their reserves[immune system] to fight off the bacteria[not the same as bacterial-plankton]. Watch for darkening[dulling,fading colors],along with increased brownish/green film on the panes if this is the case. Bob