Setting up ZEOvit System

kwirky · #1 12-03-2007, 08:23 PM

i'd have to say i'm quite pleased with zeovit so far. I've been running it for 2 weeks and some of the algae waves i've had in new tanks just haven't happened. The tank's been running for 2 weeks now with 50% new rock. Here are some nitrate tests that are pretty damned interesting:

24g sumpless tank. aqua-c remora skimmer, DIY zeo-reactor, aquaclear HOB for carbon.
Nov 16: started zeovit
Nov 19: 5ppm Nitrate, 10% water change. Theoretical nitrate now 4.5ppm
Nov 21: 2.5ppm nitrate
Nov 30: 10% water change
Dec 3: undetectable nitrate (salifert kit)

FAST results I tell you

. It's a low-nutrient tank in only 2 weeks. Crazy...

my only complaint is my own DIY reactor. I didn't break up the zeolyte media at all when I put it in my reactor made of 1.5" pipe. There are some large chunks that make washing the media a *****. When I change the media on the 7th I'm going to break the larger (1.5") pieces in half so they fit better in my tiny reactor.

Oh and the recommendations to run the carbon "passive" wasn't cutting it for my system. I had my carbon in a bag just sitting on the liverock and i had huge microbubble problems and never had skimmate from the skimmer. put an AC30 on the back of the tank and threw the tiny carbon bag inside and the next morning I started getting skimmate. I don't think it'll be an issue because the size of the media bag inside the filter is so small there's enough bypass to ensure the carbon's not being assaulted with flow but there's enough flow through it to ensure it's working. I knead the carbon daily as part of the dosing routine.

24storm · #2 03-05-2008, 02:32 AM

Any update on this Shane? I am thinking about start Zeo and wanted to know how yous is coming along. I have approx the same size tank.

Keith

digital-audiophile · #3 03-05-2008, 03:18 AM

I'd love to see the results too. I've been running zeo now for just a week but have already realized major improvements mainly in water clarity and the reducion of film algae.

Delphinus · #4 03-05-2008, 03:37 AM

In one week? Wow, that settles it, I'm setting my reactor up tonight.

digital-audiophile · #5 03-05-2008, 01:36 PM

Go for it Tony

I tell you the results really are amazing. Before I started I would come home to a solid film of grean algae that I would have to scrub off daily, now a week and 2 days into zeo there is nothing, just a few litte spots here and there. My water has also gone from having a yellow colour to it, to being white and clear.

I actually just moved some of my new SPS pieces down in the tank becuase they were starting to burn becuase the light is penetrating deeper in the tank.

Delphinus · #6 03-06-2008, 06:39 PM

For better or for worse, I got the reactor set up and running last night. Was a bit dicey getting my sump cleaned up and ready for a reactor (the main reason I'd been holding off .. I hadn't cleaned out my sump in a while

).

Quick question (for anyone reading this), the top 1" of media in my reactor is above the waterline when the pump is off (I'm doing the 3-on/3-off thing). Think that's a problem? Or should I just switch it to 24/7 and have it cranked back? I have it cranked back to about 1/2 flowrate already.

Jason McK · #7 03-06-2008, 06:47 PM

Hey Tony, Yes having the rock exposed to air during the off times will render the rock ineffective. I would think that at 1/2 flow now you could run it 24/7. or cut it back alittle more just in case.

J