Flow through reactor discrepency..?

[Reef Geek]

Hi Everyone,

I'm both new to this forum as well as to the Zeovit method. I completely read the 28 page PDF document (English version) on the korralen-zucht.de website.

In the article mentioned above, it recomends a maximum flow through the Zeovit media of 50 to 100 gal/hr. I just read Captiveoceans.com page about Zeovit and it mentions: "ZEOvit should be placed in a strong flow of around 500 gph. This can either be in the sump or directly connected to the tank."

I'm confused that seems to be a big difference in flow. Does anybody have a recommendation or explanation for these 2 different recommendations?

Thanks!

PS: I'm running right now 100 gal/hr through my reactor

[majesticangelfish]

WELCOME!

Gday mate, the ZEOvit stones need to be in a Reactor, with about 400 ltr/hr per one ltr of stone. (about 100gph / bag of ZEOvit)

This reactor needs to be in a high flow area of te sump, so the "mulm" is carried away(to the skimmer).

HTH Josh

[Janne]

Hi, I believed that the mulm should go to the corals as food, not to the skimmer. Have I missed something?

/Janne

[Aged Salt]

Ideally, the zeo-filter should be located near the return tank pump, behind one's skimmer, allowing the mulm to act as coralfood in the display tank. If set-up correctly, current-wise, the mulm should then get to the overflows & to the skimmer. I originally had the zeo-filter in front of my skimmer for a time w/o any discernable problems, though. Bob

[wasp]

The discrepancy may be due to different amounts of rock. As previously stated the current recommended flow is 100 gallons per hour, for each liter of zeovit. IE if you use 2 liters of zeovit the flow would be 200 gallons per hour.
I use a bit less than that & still seems to work fine.
A few things about zeovit have changed over the years also, so sometimes there may be some out of date info floating around.

[Aged Salt]

BTW, RG, welcome to ZEOvit.com. If you have any questions regarding the ZEOvit method, the ZEOvit guide in the sticky at the top of this forum is the most current information. Start2 is new with it's own sticky on dosing schedules. When in doubt, though, just post a question for the experienced zeo-users to comment Bob

[Ger]

Reef Geek, good observation. The instructions were made a while back when some of the users were using ZEOvit without a reactor. When the material is placed in some sort of mesh bag (or some other kind of non-forced-flow container) the flow has to be higher because most of the water will flow around it instead of "through" the media (therefore the recommendation of 500 gph). Going this route will work, but not nearly as well as when a reactor is used. The use of the reactor is a lot more efficient and reduced water flow is necessary...

[Reef Geek]

Thanks for clearing that up. I have calculated that my net volume (tank + sump - 20%) is approximately 130 gallons. Based upon the recommendation I should use 130 gal/hr flow through the ZEOvit reactor. I know that more flow is absolutely not recommended but is less flow through the reactor okay??? I am planning on powering my ZEOvit reactor with an Eheim 1046 which puts out 79 GPH or should I go with the Eheim 1048 @ 158 GPH and restrict the flow somewhat???

Thanks.

PS: I'm still in the setup fase and bussy getting everything ready. Haven't started dosing yet...

[G.Alexander]

Reef Geek, I would recommend you the usage of 1 liter zeovit in the reactor. The Eheim 1046 (79 gal) should work fine. It is better to use a little bit less flow than to much.

G.Alexander