Zeovit again, help with dosage please

[alazo1]

Hello everyone,
I started Zeovit yet again today. This is my 3rd attempt. Reason for stopping was corals getting too light and some never came back from it even after stopping dosing. I've been reading alot of threads here and other boards regarding this issue and seems that it may be a regular occurence leading some of those folks out of zeovit altogether. Anyways, from all the pictures and success stories here I know it works which is why I'm back.

It appears that after nutrients drop corals get lighter which is one of the things that is suppose to happen (less zoo). With me after the lightening it just kept going no matter if I stopped zeo for a while. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems that in this stage, if not provided with any food they will eventually die.

Anyways here are my tank parameters and concerns:

Tanks is 80 gallons (BB) + 20 gallon sump + 10 gallon refugium.
80 gallons net water
ph 8-8.2
calcium 400-450
KH 10
Mag 1300-1400 (salifert)
Phosphate 0 (salifert)
Nitrate 0 (salifert)
Salinity .024

Mainly sps tank
Apperance of corals are fairly light.
I feed the tank zyclopeeze, oyster eggs (on occasion) and fish food.
Lighting is 2x400 15k xm and 2x110 uri vho
Lighting period for MH 6 hours.

Today I started dosing the following:
3 cups of zeolites flow about 60gph
Zeobak 3 drops
Zeofood 3 drops
Zeostart 1 .2ml

According to the guide I beleive I need to dose this daily. My concern is since the corals are already light that they will keep lightening like before. Since I beleive my system is fairly low in nutrients would it be to start with the "light nutrient" regime stated in the guide?. This would be the present dosing but only about every 3 days instead of everyday that is suggested with a new zeovit setup. Would the Zeovit strains of bacteria colonize with this small initial dosing?.

I also would like to dose AAH at 2-3 drops per day, even though this is recommended only after being on zeovit for a while would this be ok?. I just ordered the PIF and IRON but presently dosing 2 drops of Lugols a week. Is it ok to start the PIF and IRON right away?. Also ordered Coral Vitalizer which by the sound of it seems like it may help in the lightening issue.

Sorry for the long post everyone and looking forward to your feedback.

Albert

[G.Alexander]

Albert, could you please post some pictures from your “lighter” corals ?

How is growth and which skimmer are you running ?

Which salt and which carbon are you using ?

Thanks, G.Alexander

[gqjeff]

Albert, I would also get KH to 7-8. Also the 15k xm have a horrible par rating so you may look into another bulb.. I have heard others have lost some colors running that bulb.. I ran it for about 3-4 weeks and went back to the xm20k on M59 ballasts.. If you know of anybody near you with a Hanna meter that would be great if they could run a test for you also on PO4.. Also I think the new start 2 will help in the lightening of the corals issue. With OD of start 1 lightening is an issue with OD of start2 darkening is the issue. CV and AAHC will help with the lightening too...

Jeff

[alazo1]

Thanks for the help guys.

Alexander, I need to reinstall my camera software and should be posting the pictures tonight as well as the answers to your other questions.

Jeff, I switched to the xm15's about a month ago. To be real honest with you I do see some color loss but I've never had great color eitherways. I switched to the 15k's from reading post but just installed one of the xm20's that I had previous to the change, we'll see if that helps. I had a feeling that someone was going to suggest Start 2. Just made an order yesterday for vitalizer , pif and iron but no start 2. Also I will ask my local store if they have a Hanna so they can run a PO4 test for me.

thanks much,
Albert

[alazo1]

Albert, could you please post some pictures from your “lighter” corals ?

Here are a few Alexander

<img src="http://69.6.215.127/images/coral1.JPG">
<img src="http://69.6.215.127/images/coral2.JPG">
<img src="http://69.6.215.127/images/coral3.JPG">
Full tank, don't look at pvc..
<img src="http://69.6.215.127/images/fulltank.JPG">

How is growth and which skimmer are you running ?

Growth is slow and one of the other reasons I started again on Zeovit
Skimmer is a ETS 5-2

Which salt and which carbon are you using ?

I'm using Tropic Marine salt and Kent carbon. Since yesterday when I started zeovit the carbon will be 24/7 as suggested but have had it a few days a months prior to this.

Oh, one more thing. Due to the algea problem that I've had I've been dosing kalkwasser as the topoff water. This is not concentrated (still reservoir). It seems that it helps in the algea issue and wonder what you think about continuing with this.

thanks,
Albert

[Aged Salt]

Hi Albert, those corals look awful Hold on beginning ZEOvit for a time, but use AAHC & Coral-Vitalizer ASAP. I'd be careful with KW[real:do not use] & switch to IO or Oceanic[actually I use both]. You may lose these corals but I'd try the above plus be stringent with food imput into your system. Do not use any resins or P04-removers, but carbon is OK--I'd strongly recommend the K-Z carbon, as it's gentle & low in P04's for our corals. Plz post up in about 6-8wks. for dosing recommendations on ZEOvit. Bob

[GTR]

It looks like you have the algae under control?

But still it looks like the corals are starving or maybe something with the light (bleaching)?
I agree with Bob on the non-use of the ZEO basics at this point. You need to find what's making the corals unhappy first.

How long have you been using the 400W MH? I see your photo period is already short, can you raise them?

SteveU

[alazo1]

Thanks for the input. I have stopped the zeo for now (only dosed once).

As far as the algea is concerned it is under control but still a bit left. This is why I started with Kalkwasser (still reservoir) but will stop.

I've had 400 watters since the beginning of the tank. Is this too much light for the corals. They are about 12" from the water column and cannot be raised any more. Should I maybe put a couple of of sheets of plastic window screens to diffuse some?.

Alexander has been pm me with advise as well. With the help of you fine folks I'll get this thing straightened out and hopefully soon will start zeovit.

thanks much,
Albert

[Aged Salt]

Hi Albert, 2-400W'ers on a 75g tank only 12" up may cause phototoxicity. Since you can not raise the bulbs any higher, try decreasing the photoperiod to 8 hrs. with a screen, or down-size to 250W'ers.

Switching salts should clear up the algae problem Bob

[alazo1]

Bob, I'm currently on 5 hours. Do you think this could be the issue?. Also, what happens if you put 250's on 400 ballast, will the bulb will blow?.

Albert

[Aged Salt]

Hi Albert, thnx. for the info. I'm aware of all the current talk involving shortening the photo-period & I've decreased mine from 11-12hrs. to 8 hrs. I'm not convinced that lowering this timeframe further will be beneficial to our coral's long-term health but I can not say your photoperiod is not OK. For sure, the ballast power must match the appropriate bulb in wattage.

As most of your corals are not bleached, then the light intensity/spectrum is not the problem, although there seems to be a cluster of them bleached--is that your "hot-spot"? Bob

[alazo1]

I just put in one layer of window screening, the light is noticably less. I've been dosing AAH and will have the Vitalizer comming in today. We'll see.

Albert