My tank info...

[jwaltman21]

130 Gallon Oceanic
180 gallons total system volume
MTC Calcium Reactor
RO + DI water for makeup; tropic marine sea salt
kalkwasser reactor for evaporation
No PO4 reactor, no ozone, no uv
ETS 1000 Protein Skimmer running on a 2500 gph spa pump
Using salifert tests:

NO3 5 ppm
PO4 non-detectable (using hach test kit)
Ca 400 ppm
CH 10 dkh
Mg not tested

Electronically monitered:
8.15 PH
320 ORP
temp ~ 78 degrees f

400w 10000K mh
4 vho on icecap ballast

2000 gph iwaki returning through 2 sea swirls

2.5" dsb; 100 lbs fiji / tonga live rock
no corals - knew not to purchase while NO3 was high; just 5 fish!

Am interested in ZEOvit method to eliminate NO# so I can start stocking my tank with sps!

Hair algae (on live rock) and a little cyno present on dsb.

Help!

[Aged Salt]

Hi JWaltman, ZEOvit method will reduce your nutrients nicely in a balanced manner but expect this to take some time due to your use of DSB, LR, permeated with nutrients[evidenced by algae accumulation] & the use of KW, which precipitates[sequesters] P04's. With the ZEOvit method, parameters mirror those of NSW, ie. Ca.400/Mg>1250[obtain Mg test kit]/KH-6-8/salinity 1.023-26. Plz. reduce your KH gradually into the above range & maintain it's stability. KW is not used, just top-off with RODI water. Be sure to test your product water --TDS<5/P04's/SI's should test negative. You might consider adding a couple of Tunze's if you intent to keep SPS. Remove all algaed-covered LR & fully cure these pieces or replace with fresh, fully-cured ones. For your system, I recommend the following:

1)dose 1 1/3 Cup carbon in a filter sock, passively, in your sump, kneaded 3x's/wk & exchanged monthly.
2)dose 1 1/2 ltrs. zeolites in a zeoreactor with a flow rate ~150gph. A little more or less is fine. Cycle these stones on & off at 3hr. intervals, being careful that the stones remain submerged when the zeo-filter is "off". Pump-clean the zeolites 1-2 x's/day about 10 reps each time when the filter is "on". Change-out the zeolites every 6wks.
3)dose 8 drops Bak/Food daily for the 1st 2wks., then 8 drops 2x's/wk. Dose these when the zeo-filter is "on" & near the filter pump. Turn off your skimmer for 60min after dosing Bak/Food. ZeoBak is refrigerated.
4)dose Start2 .7ml 2x's/day in front of the zeo-reactor when "on". It is not necessary to turn off the skimmer when just dosing Start2.
5)zeo-supplements should not be dosed until corals are added to your reef, & actually, these are more effective once nutrients depletion occurs. Plz. ask any questions as they appear. Bob

[jwaltman21]

Thanks!

I will follow your recomendations vigorously. I will keep you posted as to the progress. A few quick questions if you would be so kind: Should I remove (and replace?) the dsb with fresh oolitic sand (and replace the live rock with fresh rock)? Or should I perform massive (50%) water changes in a 2 -4 week sequence to reduce the permeated nitrates before starting the zeovit program to get the nitrates within check?

Thanks for the help!

Jamie

[Heinz]

i would not replace the DSB or LR, just follow Bob's recomendation and you will be fine,

[Aged Salt]

Hi Jamie, once your KH is inline, I'd begin ZEOvit. Remember to read all the stickies at the top of the general discussion forum. Know the ZEOvit guide thoroughly, as it's well written by Alexander ****, the foremost ZEOvit expert & my mentor. BTW, YHPMBob

[mesocosm]

Greetings All !

2.5" dsb; 100 lbs fiji / tonga live rock

Ahhh ... potential reservoirs that might explain why you're experiencing the difficulty getting NO3 below 5 ppm.

Hair algae (on live rock) and a little cyno present on dsb.

Yep ... direct evidence that these are functioning as nutrient reservoirs in your system.

Or should I perform massive (50%) water changes in a 2 -4 week sequence to reduce the permeated nitrates before starting the zeovit program to get the nitrates within check?

Given that you've got nutrient reservoirs at play in your system, persistent and/or massive water changes are only going to present temporary improvement in the NO3 level testing results.

What kind of circulation is present in your system?

Should I remove (and replace?) the dsb with fresh oolitic sand (and replace the live rock with fresh rock)?

Not to worry ... the ZEOvit system will process any sequestered nutrients. The only potential "downside" is that it may take a little longer than is typical to move beyond phase 1.


JMO ... HTH

[jwaltman21]

Mr. Moe.. and by the way I feel honored to here from you directly...I read your work back in the aerly 90's!...Thank you for your help. I utilize a 2000 gph Iwaki on two sea swirls for all of my circulation. I will proceed with your advice and let you know of happy news in the future. Thanks again!

[jwaltman21]

Bob...Got your PM...thanks for the info... a change is in the future. Thanks for being so kind in your recomendations as they will be implemented! I will keep you posted.

J

[jwaltman21]

FYI... I can read a test kit better than I type...I look (or is that sound?) like an idiot above! My apologies!

[jwaltman21]

Should I stop the use of the nitrate reactor while on the Zeo method?

I forgot to mention that I am currently using a sulfur based NO3 reactor.

Thanks in advance!

Jamie

[scottw]

Jamie,

You will want to discontinue use of the NO3 reactor and allow the zeovit method (basic 4) take care of this for you.

[jwaltman21]

Will do. Thanks Scott.

- Jamie

[jwaltman21]

Anyone:

How many bags of ZeoLites would make up 1.5 Liters? Ordering the equipment and Zeo program today.

Thanks

[scottw]

Anyone:

How many bags of ZeoLites would make up 1.5 Liters? Ordering the equipment and Zeo program today.

Thanks

1 Liter = 1 bag so you will need 2 bags, I would get 3 that way you have the next change out also

scottw

[jwaltman21]

Thanks Scott.