Thinking about Zeo

[Dhinch]

I have been thinking about trying Zeovit for quite some time now but no one in my area (that I know of) has tried it. I havent been in the "hobby" for very long(just under 2 years) but I have learned a great deal in a short amount of time. In fact, I feel I have a better understanding of a reef tank than a lot of people that have been doing it for years. I am currently the VP of the Greater Iowa Reef Society and although I have learned a lot I feel I have a long way to go.

I currently have a 210g sps dominate (other than the "flowie stuff" that my wife likes) tank,100g fuge and 76g sump. For a total water volume of 386g. I am running 3 - 400watt 10kAC halides with 320 watts of vho actinic. For water movement I have mag9.5 return, Tunze Wavebox and a Tunze 6200. My skimmer is a MRC-2 duel becket with a 24" extension (its DIY but you cant tell). Schuran jetstream 1 calcium reactor and a Neptune Aqua controller.

Here is my problem: I prosses Information differently than most people. I could get more out of a half hour conversation with someone about Zeovit than reading about it for 3 weeks. Although I have read a lot about Zeovit I still feel I dont have a good enough understanding of it to just jump in with both feet. I would really like to try it but Im not willing to risk my tank unless I fully understand it. My question is this: Is there anyone out there with an extensive knowledge of Zeovit that wouldnt mind talking to me on the phone for a half hour to 45 min? I could call you, you could call me , whatever you prefer. I would love to hear about someones personal experience and opinions.
Thanks in advance
Dan

[scottw]

Dan,
Give me a buzz or give me your phone number. I am busy until later tonight.

scott

[mesocosm]

Greetings All !


Dhinch ... it's great to have you here !




PM sent ...

[mesocosm]

Greetings All !


Dhinch,
It was a real pleasure talking with you today about your system and Zeo methodology ... pictures ... we need pictures!




Before I get to your specific questions, a couple of random thoughts ...

Before reaching for the VISA card with which to acquire more toys and chemicals, my twisted little mind refocuses ... usually ... on "general husbandry." Your practices and equipment are excellent (IMO), but the lack of a more precise PO4 number, and the mild alkalinity and pH "instability" ... if that's the right word ... are perhaps issues that should be resolved first. An investment in a Hanna phosphate test kit, and TDS meter ... along with a "dialing in" of the calcium reactor ... might be good ideas prior to progressing into ZEOvit methodology ... just a thought, FWIW.


As far as my personal suggestions regarding products and dosing .... please remember that there are LOTS more qualified people to talk to about these things. And, seriously ... please consider making the time investment in re-reading the ZeoGuide, and engaging other folks' advice here in ZeoVille.

No need to seek them out ... I'd bet money that they'll be appearing shortly. Whether you realize it or not, you've just tapped into an exceptional online community (whether the topic is ZEOvit related, or not).

... ... ... ... ... ...



As Far as Products

(1) A ZEO reactor, whether it be GroTech, MadisonReactor, DIY ... or other;
(2) ZEOvit media;
(3) ZEObak;
(4) ZEOfood.
(5) ZEOstart2 ... don't know until there's a more precise PO4 number.

Personally, I would hold off on adding any of the other products until after the first ZEOvit media changeout. When I set up my first ZEOsystem, I was WAY overanxious ... knowing what I know now, I would not add the Fe, PIF, Pocci-Stylo-Grow, and AAHC supplements until after the first changeout ... JMO.

After you've reached the appropriate nutrient level equilibria, I would recommend the AAHC (from personal experience), and ZEOspur2 & Coral Vitalizer (from other hobbyists' observations and experiences). Since you're in search-mode for the elusive, third standard deviation region SPS "color pop," the ultimate determination of supplement combination will be dependant upon your own unique experimentation and artistry ... JMO.


As Far as Dosing

Given a ~300G (estimated "actual") established BB Berlin-style SPS dominated system ...

[Before introducing the ZEOvit methodology stuff, disconnect, clean, and properly store the ozonizer. Not to worry ... within a few days you'll see what I was talking about.]

(1A) ZEOvit Media (For first interval only): ~1.8 L ZEOvit media (*), with a flowrate ~ 150-180 GPH through the ZEOreactor. This is in line with the ZeoGuide "60% recommendation" regarding the first interval.
(1B) ZEOvit Media (After the first interval): 3 L ZEOvit media(*), with a flowrate ~ 250-280 GPH through the ZEOreactor. This is in line with the 1L/100G ZeoGuide recommendation.

(*): You list 386G as total empty volume. Using 20% as an approximation of space consumed, that leaves 308.8G (~300G) as the estimated actual system water volume.

(2A) ZEObak (First two weeks): 9 drops daily for the first two weeks. This is slightly less (~75%) than the 1 drop/25G recommended in the ZeoGuide. I suggest slightly less because your system is an established, relatively low nutrient system.
(2B) ZEObak (After first two weeks, until changeout): 9 drops 2 to 3 times per week, until the first changeout.

(3A) ZEOfood (First two weeks): 9 drops daily for the first two weeks. This is slightly less (~75%) than the 1 drop/25G recommended in the ZeoGuide. I suggest slightly less because your system is an established, relatively low nutrient system.
(3B) ZEOfood(After first two weeks, until changeout): 9 drops 2 to 3 times per week, until the first changeout.

(4) Activated Carbon: ~ 1.25 L of activated carbon, changed every 30 days.

(5) ZEOstart2: Without a more precise PO4 number to work with, I'm reluctant to make any recommendation.


Your lighting sounded fine, as did your protein skimmer. Speaking of which ... pictures ... we want pictures of the DIY modified skimmer!




As Far as Source

From Iowa, I would think that Scott would be your nearest source:

Scott Whitlow, ZEOVIT.com username scottw
Evolution Aquatics
Terre Haute, IN 47803
[email protected]
www.evolutionaquatics.com

There's also "The Source":

Gary Madl ZEOVIT.com username Ger
www.captiveoceans.com
[email protected]
California.


Please be reminded that there are MANY more people who are WAY more qualified in terms of "fine tuning" dosing regiments and supplement combinations. I strongly urge you to engage them here in ZeoVille.


HTH ...

[Dhinch]

How do I post a pic?

[Dhinch]

Skimmer mods:
Its an MRC2 duel beckett.

First mod:
I cut the 90 degree elbow off the top of the becketts and put an 11/2 pipe over. Basically it eliminated one elbow each.

Second mod:
24" DIY extension tube.

Third mod:
I have a mag 24 in sump that pumps water up to a second mag 24 which pushes water down through the becketts. Unlike most skimmers it has solid bubbles all the way up! You cant tell where the water level is.
As soon as I turned on the pumps I was amazed! I have run nothing but MRC skimmers for the last year. As most of you who own them know, if you so much as touch the surface of the water in your tank, skimmate production comes to a screeching halt. Not any more Im not sure why but it works.


Dan

[Detritivore]

that skimmer mod is swweeett