Starting zeo, using a bag instead of reactor

[marcrothschild]

I have a system with a net of 100 gallons. I bought the basic 4 today, but I dont have a reactor. I have placed 1liter of zeolith in a large filter bag. I plan on shaking it daily. I was told to dose 4gtt of Bac, 4gtt food, and 1ml start2 (in two 0.5ml doses) daily for the first week. Is this the correct dosing schedule? What area of the sump would be best? I have a compartment/baffel for carbon, but I think the flow will be too much. Eventually I will buy a reactor... The i aquatic reactor looks good, I need something with a small footprint.
Thanks, Marc

[G.Alexander]

Hi Marc, please answer the questions form this post for the dosing schedule:

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14

I have also used the zeovit (zeolite) at the beginning in a filter bag. After switching to a reactor corals improved within some weeks. A filter bag will work, but not as good as a reactor. I know the Grotech reactors are expensive. Here you can find some excellent ideas for a DIY reactor:

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34

The carbon is used in a filter bag, kneaded daily, placed in a passive water flow in the sump. No need to use a filter. The constant use of carbon in a filter with a high water flow will absorb to much elements which causes problems for the corals. Please make sure you use a carbon which is known for causing no problems.

G.Alexander

[marcrothschild]

Thanks for the links...as far as the Grotec reactor is concerned, price is not a problem....if it is worth the price. Are the out of sump models easy to refill?
As for my tank, here goes.
1. 60x18x20 eurobraced tank with large external overflow and 50g sump=150g
2. net water volume 100gallons
3.reeftek calcium reactor
4.p04 reactor....no
5.o3.....no
6.uv....no
7. ASM G3
8. p04 & n03 = 0 according to salifert
9.ca 380, alk 8 dKH, mg?
10.Skimmer, filter socks(rinced every other day),20%wc every other week(Tropic Marin pro reef), and a 10g refugium on reverse daylight w chaeto.
11. Aquaspacelight.2x 150w hqi w phoenix14k 3mos old, and 2x 24w PC osram actinic 3 mos old.
12. Mainly LPS and SPS with a few clams and some zoanthids a toadstool and neon sinularia. A couple of fish also.
13.Some bright neon montiporas & some brown acros w hints of color at the tips.
14. This tank is only 3 mos old, but al rock and livestock is from a 2 year old tank that I replaced w a new custom tank.
15. Improve colors, and health.
16. No dosing at all
17. a mix of Tonga, Fiji, Marshall island
18. No present problems, but I had Dinos in the old tank...I was able to beat them down and win the war.
19.n/a
20. I monitor ca reactor pH, system pH, and system orp. Salifert alk and ca occasionally
21. just starting
22. 1.025, 78-80 deg, orp 280

[Aged Salt]

Hi Marc, with the ZEOvit method, one's parameters should mirror those of natural seawater--Ca>400/Mg>1250[obtain a Mg Salifert's test kit]/KH 6-8/salinity 1.023-26. I'd advise you to do WC's at 10% weekly for trace elements replenishment. You're dosages look fine for now. Contact Scott for a zeo-reactor which is less expensive than the GroTech & well built[[email protected]]. Be sure to read the ZEOvit guide, expertly written by Alexander **** for a full understanding of the method & it's components. Once you have your zeo-reactor, use a ltr. of zeolites with the flow rate of 100gph. A little more or less is fine. Pump-clean the stones 1-2 x's/day[when "on"] & exchange every 6wks. Cycle the stones on & off at 3 hr. intervals, being sure that the zeolites are submerged when the filter is "off". Use I Cup carbon in a filter sock, passively in a low flow area of your sump. Knead the bag 3-4 x's/wk & exchange monthly. When dosing Bak/Food/Start2, dose these in front of the zeo-filter pump, when "on" Turn off the skimmer for 60 min after dosing Bak & Food. It is not necessary to turn off the skimmer when just dosing Start2. Dose 4 drops Bak & Food daily for the 1st 2wks. then dose 4 drops each 2x's/wk. Dose Start2 .5ml 2x's/day daily. If you wish you may also use AAHC & C-V[2-3 drops & 6 drops daily, respectively] Bob

[Catastrofe]

Marc,

I started out using ZEO in a filter bag myself, primarily because of height restrictions in my stand. When the bag was in a high-flow area of my old sump, I had good results.

After changing my sump to a 40 gallon breeder and losing the ability to confine the bag in a high flow area, my results declined to the point where I almost gave up on ZEO. I had a huge turf algae problem and was beginning to see an outbreak of Caulerpa also. At the end of October I purchased a reasonably priced reactor from Ocean Environments (one of the sponsors here at ZEOvit). I've seen marked improvements in 3 weeks. . .I'd highly recommend going with a reactor unless you can place the filter bag in a truly high-flow area.

Just my experience. . . .

Bob

[marcrothschild]

Thanks for the replies. I have a baffel in my sump that has an elevated eggcrate base. I was afraid that placing the bag of zeo in this area would be too much flow, but then again the water is not really being forced through the media this way. Catastrofe, which reactor did you buy?

[Catastrofe]

Check out this link:

https://ssl.perfora.net/oeaonline.co...8IZEO_418%3D29

[marcrothschild]

Thanks for the link, I went ahead and purchased the reactor and a pump. I should receive the reactor late next week. Sunday will be 1 week with zeovit, I am already noticing some changes....My neon toadstool has its polyps extended much more frequently than it ever has, and my orange cap has become a deeper orange with greater polyp extension. Does my dosing change arter 1 week? I am using 4 gtt bak, 4 gtt food, and 1.2 ml start daily. So far I have not seen the green film I was told about.
I was wondering, when I shake the bag I get some turbidity in the water. Is this the bacterial mulm already (<1week), or is it just zeolith dust being broken loose? Does this action release aluminum into the tank?
Thanks everyone, Marc Rothschild

[Aged Salt]

Hi Marc, your dosing regimen is programmed for the first 6wks. unless discolored biofilm accumulates. With cleaning the stones, turbidity does normally occur[of course, rinse the stones before placing them in a filter]. The action of the zeolites is not completely understood, therefore, whether some Al3 is released into our reefs is not known. Bob

[marcrothschild]

So if I understand correctly, I will be dosing everything daily for the first six weeks? I thought that after week one I dose every other day....except start2 which is dosed twice daily(0.6ml x2). Sorry for the repetitive questions. Also, what additional supplements would you supplements for me in phase 1? I am already pleased with what I am noticing after only 1 week.
Thanks, Marc Rothschild

[Aged Salt]

Hi Marc, glad to hear you're already seeing results Bak/Food is dosed daily for 2wks, then 2x's/wk for the remainder of the 1st zeolite cycle[4wks] On the 2nd zeolite cycle, Bak/Food is generally dosed every other day for the 1st two wks. then 2x's/wk for the remainder of that cycle-period.You can dose Aminoacids & Coral-Vitalizer now-- plz. read my above post on dosing quantities for AAHC & C-V. Bob

[marcrothschild]

Just recieved my reactor from ocean environments, and I am very happy with its construction. I will post my thoughts after I have it up and running for a while. Thanks for all the help.

[Aged Salt]

Hi Marc, can you post a pix. of your new zeo-reactor, as these are new & I've not seen them before.? Thnx. Bob

[marcrothschild]

I will give it a try...I am working from 1500-0730 today, so I will attempt to post a pic on saturday afternoon. I hope its not as hard as posting a pic on RC....which I have yet to figure out.

[Aquatic Image]

Hey Marc! I am glad to see the reactor showd up in good condition! I hope everything goes well for you in your journey into ZEOville! Any assistance I can provide, you know how to find me!