Zeovit with or without CA-reaktor

[Niclas]

Hello everybody!
I´m a complete newbee when it comes to Zeovit, actually I havent recived my parcel with the products yet My question for you is, Can I before I buy an CA-reaktor (haven´t decided wich brand yet) use my kalkmixer and/or Salifert CA- Liquid togheter with the Zeovit system to keep the CA-values up and running? Or is that a completely stupid idea?

Thank you very much for your answers in advance!
Regards
Niclas, Stockholm, Sweden

[Aged Salt]

Hi Niclas, & welcome to our friendly & informative forum Please be sure to read & thoroughly understand the ZEOvit guide, expertly written by Alexander ****, & the stickies at the top of this forum. With the ZEOvit method, KW is not used for Ca supplementation, & most use a Ca Rx or a 2-part solutions, with separate solutions or Ca & buffer. KW precitates P04's into our Live Rock & live sand[if you use sand] which leaches back into our waters with the normal swings in the pH of our tanks. With ZEOvit, one needs the parameters to be similar to natural seawater's, ie. Ca>400/Mg>1250/KH 6-8/salinity 1.023-.025. When you're ready to begin, just post your tank information from the questions on the sticky "tell us about your tank", thnx. Bob

[Niclas]

Hello Bob (and everyone else).
This is my tank:
1. 480L
2. 420L approx.
3. No Ca-reactor but an Kalkmixer AcuaCare 110 and an Aquacare Nitrate filter
4. Yes, Deltec with Rowaphos 2 years
5. Yes Sander 200
6. Yes Lifeguard QL-40
7. AcuaCare 1000V rated for 1000L
8. PO4 = 0 NO3 = 10
9. CA = 420 Alk = 10 Mg= 1400
10. No filtration, just LS
11. 2x150W MH 20.000K (have ordered Aqualine/Aquamedic 16000K + 4x55W PL 14.000K + 2x39W T5 Actinic.
12. Mostly Accroporas
13. Mixed, mostly darker duller colors
14. 3 years
15. The first reason is to get a stablesystem and bring out the natural colors of my corals, second reason is that it would be great with not so many machines.
16. Salifert CA liquid and Salifert KH all in one liquid + TropicMarin Bio.Magnesium and Strontium.
17. 50kg, 3 years or more
18. Little high Nitrate and I have had 2 cases of RTN or something on 2 new Corals
19. RTN or similar
20. Salifert and My IKS Aquastar computer for Salinity, PH, temp
21. Not started yet
22. Nitrate

Best Regards
Niclas

[Niclas]

Do you think that I could use the Salifert CA liquid until I get an reactor? And should I skip the kalkmixer?
To raise the PH, do you rely on water changes only?

Best Regards
Niclas

[Niclas]

Anyone?

[Aged Salt]

Hi Niclas, with ZEOvit method you will need to make some changes. No KW, N03-filters, or P04-removers are used with this system. ZEOvit will lower both N03's & P04's in a timely fashion Also, please lower the KH slowly to natural seawater's 6-8 range & try to keep that level steady. You will not be able to use 1-part liquid Ca as it will keep your alkalinity too high while maintaining the Ca. level. Use a Ca RX or 2-part[separate Ca & buffer solutions]. For your reef, I recommend the following:
1) dose 1 ltr. zeolites in a filter with the flow rate of 400 l/h. You may use your Deltec P04 Rx for this if you wish. Shake this up & down about 5 times to dislodge the mulm, once or twice a day. Cycle the zeolite reactor "on" & "off" at 3 hr. intervals with a simple "peg" timer. When the Rx is not running, be sure all the stones remain submerged below the water line in your reactor. You may need to use a check-valve to accomplish this. Exchange the zeolites in 4 wks. then repost for new zeo-dosages.
2)dose 100ml. of carbon in a filter sock in your sump, passively. Knead this carbon bag 3 x's/wk & exchange the carbon monthly.
3)dose 3 drops Bak/Food daily for 2wks. then 4 drops each 2x's/wk. Dose these along with Start in front of your zeo-filter pump. Turn off your skimmer for 60min after dosing Bak/Food. It is not necessary to do this when just dosing Start2
4)dose Start2 at .2ml 2 x's per day daily. Ask any questions Bob

[Niclas]

Hi Bob and thank´s for your answer, when you write 2-part CA liquid, do you mean like the Balling system? Or do you have something other that you use "over-there"?
Best Regards
Niclas

[Aged Salt]

Niclas, yes, there are "balanced" 2 separate solutions of Ca Salts & buffer products sold in 2 containers, where the user adds equal volumes of these two liquids. For a short time, the Balling method of Ca/alk. supplementation can be used but over time with ZEOvit parameters[lower KH's] the Cl ion accumulates in our waters & becomes detrimental to our corals, so you will need to devise another way to maintain parameter levels. If you are planning SPS-type corals I strongly recommend a Ca Rx, which after your initial costs involved, will be cost effective. Bob

[Niclas]

Hi again, do you have some examples of these 2-part solutions, brand? Here in sweden we don´t get all the good stuff that you can get in other countries sometimes...

[Aged Salt]

Niclas, here we have a few companies that sell 2-part--Kent Marine, EVC-Bionic Ca & Buffer, Three Little Fishes & Warner Marine are just some that come to mind. In a smaller set-up, using just Oceanic saltmix[high in Ca/Mg, lower in KH] & occasionally a marine buffer should keep your parameters in good stead. Bob

[Niclas]

Great! Thanks! I´ll have to get from an German webshop so it is ok, In your experience, wich is the best CA-reactor? and safest? I have thougt of an Schuran Jetstream, AquaCare torbo 2 or maybe an Grotech.

[Aged Salt]

Niclas, many of are users like the Schuran. Grotech mades everything well but I've never seen one of their Ca Rx's. Same with AquaCare turbo. Bob

[Niclas]

Hi again! On to my third day with ZEO and things looks ok so far. Little question, how long should I wait until starting dosing my other goodies like: Zeospur Macro elements, Zeospur 2 konzentrat, Calium Jof fluor, Stylo pocci glow? And on friday my Schuran Jetstream arrives I also ordered some MG to run with the reaktor.
Regards
Niclas

[Aged Salt]

Slow down, Niclas Be patient. If you have AAHC, that can be used now, but hold-off on all others for the first few months. Bob

[Niclas]

OK I have the AAHC and i´m using it by three drops a day.