ZEOvit/200G Build Journal - 34G Solana

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by christyf5

LOL, I ended up sending a photo to the guys on zeovit.com I was so ticked off at how difficult it is to read the test. He was like "yep you're at 380". I have no idea how he could figure that out from a photo.

I found with my testing that its very important at first, then less important as you go along. By this I mean test often at first, then less often later. Currently I test every 2-3 weeks vs every waterchange (weekly). I'm also using RBS which helps.

Oh I know! That test is ridiculous to read for me too.

What you say about testing makes total sense. I guess as you get the ZEO going and the tank stabilizes, the less you need to test. The weekly water changes that ZEO requires must help big time with keeping everything stable as well.

I am going to try to switch to RBS I think. Seems to be the best way to go.

[iansfishy]

GSP, is there any way you could give me a rough price breakdown of what it has cost you to start zeo up to this point. Im thinking about starting it, but am getting tired of spending money on "the next great step in reefing". As well I can only get to my tank every second day as it is at my other house. do you think this is something that would have to be constantly monitered, or at least watched very close for the first couple days or weeks? Thanks.

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

.....
How many of you running ZEOvit are watching the K+ real close? I know its very important with ZEO ....

Yes, if the aquarist is primarily an SPS keeper...of which you are, so test away ! I keep mostly LPS and softies, and therefore, am not concerned about K. I have the kit, but only intend to test occassionally for curiousity sake more than anything else.
For me, I'm more concerned with, NO3; PO4; Ca; Mg and Alk. I'm seriously considering getting Pinpoint monitors for the NO3 and Ca, and a Hanna photometer for the PO4. I know I cheat on my NO3 tests and want to get away from that. I never want to believe the reading I get when the vial is set directly on the colour chart. I always "hover" the vial over the colour chart. Not good. I'm not inclined to cheat as much with the PO4 tests, but I still having difficulty deciding between 0.05 and 0.1. Having the Hanna tell me what it is would be nice. And I like the idea of having a Ca reading at a glance. I haven't seen monitors for Mg and Alk, so I'm assuming there isn't, or if there is...they must cost an arm and a leg. The Mg test is so dead bone easy that I probably wouldn't get a monitor for that anyway, but given the confusion on different Alk readings lately, it'd be nice to have a monitor for that.

Edit: I just read the Pinpoint instructions for the Ca monitor. The thing can't be run continuosly with the probe submerged. Have to calibrate before each use. Sounds like more trouble than it's worth. Sticking with the Ca test kit.

Edit 2: Humpf. The NO3 monitor is along the same lines. I think I'll go ahead with this one, though, given my cheating tendencies with this test .

Cheers,

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by iansfishy

GSP, is there any way you could give me a rough price breakdown of what it has cost you to start zeo up to this point. Im thinking about starting it, but am getting tired of spending money on "the next great step in reefing". As well I can only get to my tank every second day as it is at my other house. do you think this is something that would have to be constantly monitered, or at least watched very close for the first couple days or weeks? Thanks.

Yeah sure.

I have actually been looking at ZEOvit for a while but thought it was too expensive until the Vertex reactors came along. I bought the Vertex Starter Package from J&L which has the reactor, zeolites and three basics. Everything you need to start. So $200 to start (depending on your tank size though).

It also depends if you already have all the test kits you will need. I would say most people don't have the potassium kit and you NEED it. That was around $40. I also bought the Potassium supplement which was around $40.

I would say for me to start its been about $300.

It will get more expensive BUT all over a few months or so. I am told I will not even be able to use most of the other additives until month 3 or so. So it will add up but over time.

I would say from what I have learned so far, its really worth it if your committed and stay on track. Ie. Weekly water changes and regular testing to keep all levels correct. To me, the results are second to none.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

Yes, if the aquarist is primarily an SPS keeper...of which you are, so test away ! I keep mostly LPS and softies, and therefore, am not concerned about K. I have the kit, but only intend to test occassionally for curiousity sake more than anything else.
For me, I'm more concerned with, NO3; PO4; Ca; Mg and Alk. I'm seriously considering getting Pinpoint monitors for the NO3 and Ca, and a Hanna photometer for the PO4. I know I cheat on my NO3 tests and want to get away from that. I never want to believe the reading I get when the vial is set directly on the colour chart. I always "hover" the vial over the colour chart. Not good. I'm not inclined to cheat as much with the PO4 tests, but I still having difficulty deciding between 0.05 and 0.1. Having the Hanna tell me what it is would be nice. And I like the idea of having a Ca reading at a glance. I haven't seen monitors for Mg and Alk, so I'm assuming there isn't, or if there is...they must cost an arm and a leg. The Mg test is so dead bone easy that I probably wouldn't get a monitor for that anyway, but given the confusion on different Alk readings lately, it'd be nice to have a monitor for that.

Edit: I just read the Pinpoint instructions for the Ca monitor. The thing can't be run continuosly with the probe submerged. Have to calibrate before each use. Sounds like more trouble than it's worth. Sticking with the Ca test kit.

Edit 2: Humpf. The NO3 monitor is along the same lines. I think I'll go ahead with this one, though, given my cheating tendencies with this test .

Cheers,

Makes sense. How are you finding the results of ZEO with softies? I have heard such mixed reviews.

I agree about the monitors. I want to get the NO3 one for sure. I also want to get the Hanna Phosphate eventually too. Just have to curb the spending for now after buying ZEO stuff, bulbs, corals, test kits...and now a Wavebox. Man I don't want to think about the tank right now.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Not too much new in the way of ZEO stuff but I added a Wavebox to the tank tonight...got a little over excited though and actually got the waves splashing out of the tank

This thing rocks. I am happy I chose it over the vortechs. It really doesn't bother me in the tank like I thought it would. Partly cause it so wicked and partly cause it matches the black of the stand, canopy, silicone, ect. and just kind of blends in.

I have noticed the tangs already love to swim in the middle of the tank where they can kind of just let themselves go and hover

Oh and it doesn't make the overflow loud at all like I thought it may. Still dead quiet. VERY happy about that.

[Johnny Reefer]

I don't mean to hijack your thread into a discussion on test kits, but I got the Pinpoint NO3 monitor and thought I would mention the results I got. As I mentioned, I've been testing with a Salifert kit, but tend to "cheat" by hovering the sample over the colour chart, rather than setting it right on the paper. My "hover" readings I figured to be 10ppm for both my tanks, but figured if I did the test correctly, my NO3 is probably more like 25. Well, to my surprise, my Reef tank tested at 10 and my FOWLR tested at 12ppm with the Pinpoint. Needless to say, I'm very happy about this .

Anyway,...that's all. Back to you.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

I don't mean to hijack your thread into a discussion on test kits, but I got the Pinpoint NO3 monitor and thought I would mention the results I got. As I mentioned, I've been testing with a Salifert kit, but tend to "cheat" by hovering the sample over the colour chart, rather than setting it right on the paper. My "hover" readings I figured to be 10ppm for both my tanks, but figured if I did the test correctly, my NO3 is probably more like 25. Well, to my surprise, my Reef tank tested at 10 and my FOWLR tested at 12ppm with the Pinpoint. Needless to say, I'm very happy about this .

Anyway,...that's all. Back to you.

Not a hijack at all There is really not much going on with my tank right now. I added about four new sps pieces in the past week but as of now, most of them are under sand. The wavebox has really upset things. Actually polyp extension was better as soon as I added the wavebox but man the sand in the tank won't sit still. Constant storms

Wavebox + Shallow tank = Not the best idea out there

I am glad you posted about this. So...do you know how accurate the monitors are? I assume they are quite accurate (at least enough for what we need them for) but I am curious. I would love to pick one up. Did you find it much easier and more convenient than regular testing?

EDIT: Found info saying the accuracy is 1 ppm...so much more accurate than testing with colors and little vials.

[untamed]

The nitrate monitor is quite accurate, but extremely fussy to operate. It isn't like a pH monitor where you can just leave the probe in the water...you have to calibrate the probe before each test.

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

.... Did you find it much easier and more convenient than regular testing? .....

Well, it was a little cumbersome the first go around, but shouldn't take long to get used to. I guess the thing is...it needs to be calibrated each time, so in that respect I would say it's a tad more work.

Cheers,