Zeovit neglected for months

[nineteen]

After I tore down my tank, threw away my old rocks due to massive "algae from hell" - aspargopsis, bought new LR to replace them, I re-start my tank all over again with zeovit. I only used a very thin layer of sand from my old system to avoid bare-bottom naked look.

Unfortunately, shortly after this, personal tragedy took precedence and I completely neglected my tank for 4 to 5 months. I did not dose any of the zeovit basic 4 and most of my SPS in a separate tank did not survive. I have only a handful of hardy ones but are all brown sticks.

I am re-starting again, or should I say, re-re-starting zeovit. I did PO4 test with Hanna last week and I was shocked to see my PO4 level at 1.02! I tested 3 times. Same results. Did a 40% water change with Aquamedic Reef Salt with RO/DI - test the new mix - PO4 was 0. So, my Hanna meter is not faulty. Net water volume is 650 litres.

I changed 1.5litres of new zeo rocks and dose 6 drops of bak/food and 0.8ml of start2 with 3hour on/off interval after WC on Friday. I sucked out most of the sandbed to make my tank bare bottom.

Test results with Salifert on Day 2 after WC:

1. Ca: 420
2. kH: 9.0
3. Mg: 1170
4. Salinity: 1.025
5. PO4: 0.59 (still at very high level)

I have not switched on my CR yet since my kH is pretty high.

Today, Day 3, PO4 went up 0.62.

So, what should I do now? Is my dosing correct or what should be my optimal level dosing routine given my scenario.

Thanks guys.

Abdul

[Aged Salt]

Hi Abdul, hope all is better with your life. Your dosing quantities appear correct. Remember these are dosed daily for 2 wks. then Bak/Food is stepped down to 2x's/wk. Start2 is dosed daily, everyday.Your zeo-filter flow should be ~600 l/h. Be patient. After your P04's fall a liitle more[2wks.], I would dose AAHC at 3 drops daily, & PIF at the guide recommendations based on your net volume. AAHC & PIF will help your coral's color & health. Bob

[nineteen]

Sorry for asking since I am out of touch for awhile - what is PIF?

[Aged Salt]

Sorry, Abdul for my shorthand---PIF= Potassium-Iodide-Flouride concentrate. Dose this at ZEOvit gidelines for your net volume, Bob

[nineteen]

Hi Bob,

After 2 weeks, my PO4 drop from 0.62 to 0.20 (measured today) Still high but strangely hardly any algae outbreak on my rocks.

Can I start dosing AAHC and PIF? Or should I wait further decrease in PO4?

One other thing for PIF - the local store sold me with a German label. It is "Kaliumjodid Fluor Konzentrat" - is this PIF? Sorry for the dumb question.

I notice some diatom like algae on my glass pane? Is this the sign for over dosing Start2.

Thanks once again.

Abdul

[fkadir]

Abdul, "Kaliumjodid Fluor Konzentrat" is indeed PIF

Will leave the dosing instructions/recommendation to our resident dose expert

[Aged Salt]

Abdul, thnx. for your update. Yes, the pane-film is an indication to step-down the zeo-dosages somewhat. Reduce Bak/Food quantities by 50%. Continue your current dose of Start2. Be sure your Mg levels are >1250, as well as the other parameters are inline with the guidelines. You certainly can begin AAHC/PIF. Bob

[nineteen]

Thanks Bob and Farish. My parameters as follows:

Ca: 400
Kh: 8.0
Mg:1200
salinity: 1.023

Should I raise up my Ca and Mg and bring down Kh? So far, no casualties on my SPS.

Thanks again guys.

Abdul

[losmandy]

Hi Abdul,

Great to you see back. Your salinity a little on the low side so if you could raise it to 1.025 then the Ca will be closer to NSW levels.

kH would reduce if you tune down your CR.

[nineteen]

Losmandy, thanks - will bump up my salinity a little more to 1.025 as per your recommendation.

I did a PO4 test on my CR output and my Hanna reading is 0.34! Did 3 tests and same results. My tank is currently at 0.20, so the difference is pretty significant. This was my first time testing the CR output as I have always thought that the PO4 leaching out of CR is very minute. I am using Deltec PF500 CR with Rowalith C+ media. So, any suggestions on how to resolve this?

Regards

Abdul

[losmandy]

If the really is true then you could drip the effluent onto PO4 media and that will handle the PO4 in the effluent.

you could refer to bob's post for details, http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showpos...75&postcount=4

[nineteen]

Losmandy,

What is your experience with Rowalith media for PO4? Do you get different reading?

Abdul

[Aged Salt]

Hi Abdul, any Al3-based P)4 remover is fine--just rinse it well in RODI water before use, Bob

[losmandy]

Abdul,

I am using rowalith C and the PO4 reading is 0

[nineteen]

Thanks Bob, Farish and Losmandy. Will update again in a few days time:0