Zeovit - Enough talk, show some pics

[Jason McK]

OK I will chime in.

I ran an SPS dominated tank for 5 years prior to going with a larger tank and starting Zeovit.
My colour prior to using Zeovit was great. I had pieces from many local reefers that actually became way better than in others tanks. I was very happy with my results.
but I always battled nuance algae like calerpa in my main tank.
So I had a choice build a Refugium or look for alternative nitrate and phosphate removal.
This took place the exact time we started seeing Zeovit in Canada.
After weighing the options I converted my refugium plans into a Frag tank and strated Zeovit after week 2 of my main systems cycle.
I watched as my cycle finished and watched as I had only a small new tank algea bloom.

Things I've observed while on Zeovit
1. My great looking pieces still look great (no major changes)
2. My average pieces have improved colour
3. My boring pieces are now a whole ton nicer

General observations
1. Colour tips of all corals have become richer and the tips colour stretch further down the coral branch
2. using salifert Nitrate test kits there is no nitrates in the water column
3. Using Deltec Phosphate test kits there is less than 0.03 phosphates

Cautions
Unlike what is stated above Zeovit is much more sensitive to improper balance of CA, ALK, Mag. Elevated levels that are used by many is not advised as RTN or bleaching can occur (trust me I know)

Not ever supplement is for everyone. I have found that there are 2 supplements certain corals react poorly to Spur2 and Stylo-Pocci Glow. While others have seen great results form these.

My choice to run Zeo was to aid in Nitrate and Phosphate removal. The Bactria that is responsible for the removal is then used as food for your corals. At times my polyp extension is so good the beauty of the coral is lost.

I typically do not take part in this type of thread because it quickly turns into a witch hunt fuelled by ignorance. but in the spirit of the origin of the thread

[Jason McK]

To ramble on further. the basic elements of Zeovit (ZeoLith, ZeoBac, ZeoStart2, and ZeoFood7) are all part of the nitrate and phosphate removal system.
This will help bring out better colour in coral tissue to a certain extent. but to truly debate the effectiveness of 'Zeo supplements' one should break down the additional additives in the Zeovit system as to their benefits or lack there of.

J

[digital-audiophile]

Much like Jason, my justification for going with zeo was to reduce bad algae. No matter what I was doing I could just not seem to kick hair algae and green film algae. As I did not have a lot of coral (and even though I have been adding a few pieces my tank is still very lightly stocked) I had read and seen the benefits of zeo and gave it a shot.

I have been running for 7 weeks now and I have zero GHA (just a little remaining on powerheads but a good vinegar cleaning should take care of that) I have very little green film, just a bit on the glass ever couple days I sweep off, mainly in lower flow areas (which I am going to try to remedy by adding a vortech for wave action)

My water clarity now is amazing, my water no longer looks yellow and is crisp and clear, my waste water coming out of the tank on water changes is almost the same colour as the new water coming in.

I am sure everyones experience will be different but I bought in hook line and sinker.. I am currently using :

Reefers Best Salt
Basic 3 (Start/Bac/Food)
Amino Acid Concentrate
Sponge Power
Coral Snow
Phols Coral Vitaizer

I am considering:
Spur
K-balance
Stylo Pocci-Grow

My coral current stocklist is :

4 Montiporia Colonies
4 Acro Colonies
1 Pocilipora Colony
1 Monti Frag
2 Acro Frag
Ricordia
Zoos
Open Brain
Crocea Clam
Frogspawn
Torch

Purple Tang
Regal Tang
2xPercula
6xChromis
Sleeper Goby
Sixline Wrasse
Firefish

[adidas]

i've got some pretty good color in my sps and i'm not using ANY supplements.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by adidas

i've got some pretty good color in my sps and i'm not using ANY supplements.

Sorry, the pics didn't show up...

[Monti-Man]

I do not use zeovit, but I am wondering how does one add corals to this system without cuasing rtn?
Some local fish stores have browned out corals cheap, so is their a distinct way of introducing them to a system?

Thankyou

[Willito]

There is no disbute that Zeo works, the real question is how much money and time do you want to invest? And is the result that much better? The beauty that it brings out of the corals is very subjective. Some may like the wash-out look, and some may not. If you're OK with spending some extra money and time every day dosing, then it's ideal, however to gain true success from it requires long time commitment. I ran Zeo for about 5 months two and a half years ago and saw what it was capable of. I also experienced how demanding the whole process was and quit shortly after. Taking what I learnt about Zeo, I've developed a way of reef keeping that I am very happy with today, and it may even rival the Zeo.

One of the most enjoyable aspect about this hobby is having to maintain the tank as least as possible. Zeo doesn't fall in that category, it requires a lot of nurturing. A high maintenance tank will tend to drive people away from the hobby in long run, it just doesn't last. Keep it low-tech and low maintenance and you will reep the rewards for a long time.

For those who are interested in using Zeo to color up your corals and to manage nuisance algae and the likes, go for it, it works, but beware of the commitments invovled. I'll post some coral pictures of my non-zeo method.

[marie]

Jason, since my troubles began over christmas I have been considering going with zeovit but before I started using rowaphos my phosphate levels according to elos have never been above .05, after running phosphate removers for the last 4 month my phosphate levels are still between .01 and .05. My nitrates have also never been detectable using a salifert test kit.
I know my nutrient levels are high because of the algae and hydroids in my system but would zeovit be that much more of a benefit for me considering the growth and health of my corals for the last year.

Unfortunately I think I might of narrowed my recent problems down to the new 35lb bottle of co2. When calcium demand dropped so low I turned off the reactor, the corals stopped stning and the demand picked up again, I turned the reactor back on and problems started all over. It took me 3 months of doing this before I realized it might be the co2


Oh and I think the purple acro in the pic I posted (it really is that colour to the naked eye, canadian ) is exactly the same coral as the purple one (seventh pic) that jason posted.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Jason McK

OK I will chime in.

Thanks Jason, this is what I was looking for. I don't want to argue about whether it works or cures cancer, I want to see pics that will help me justify spending the money.

[Aquattro]

I guess I'm gonna need to get some corals to really test this out, eh??