Maybe quitting Zeovit

kwirky · #1 07-28-2008, 04:03 PM

starting a tank fresh on a probiotic product is different from converting an existing one to a zero nutrient system. the problem is there'll be a longer time (and of course $$) investment before results happen.

Like albert said, throttle back your reactor and dose a little less than recommended. Running the reactor at a trickle works wonders. It's very hard to have too little flow through the reactor but very easy to have too much. Zeostart's the most likely of the basic 3 to cause algae and it may take up to 3 months for proper results to surface.

I don't recommend running phosphate media while using the zeovit because it'll interfere with the bacterial chain. There are about 40 common (and many more uncommon) nitrifying/denitrifying bacterial strains and these probiotic products rely on various strains working in a chain. Think assembly line. If one of those workers isn't present then the rest of the job doesn't get done. Running phosphate media will only hinder the performance of the system.

I agree that probiotic products are the key to getting impossible colours and good tank husbandry is required along with these systems. They aren't crutches. Everyone has their once a year "disaster" and maybe your tank's having it's disaster at the same time you decided to start zeovit. I think it's just coincidence.

Hang in there man! Things'll turn out! At least we're not in a hobby like breeding frontosa where you'll have to raise your fish for 4 years to HOPEFULLY have a breeding family

Delphinus · #2 07-28-2008, 04:57 PM

Good gravy. Who would have a hobby like that?!

I switched the rocks out on mine last night as I was overdue for a changeout anyhow. I cranked the flow way back on the reactor (to a slow trickle). One thing that caught me off guard, wow, does that ever put out a lot of heat. I'm tempted to swap out the pump to something else. It raised my tank temp 3 degrees F, the only thing I changed was that I cranked the flow WAY back last night (because of the rock changeout) so I think it might be the Sedra on the reactor that's behind the sudden jump.

Johnny Reefer · #3 11-12-2008, 04:01 AM

Hello,

I'm going to be starting Zeovit in a few days. Great thread. A good eye opener to pay attention to the system. Been reading up and asking questions through other various resources. One question I haven't asked of anyone yet. That being about the flow rate and the adjustment of. Looking to get an idea of how folks know they are at, say, 50-75 gph, or whatever. Educated guesswork? A certain postion of the handle? Timing it into a bucket for 1 minute? (I imagine the latter method being somewhat difficult, what with the reactor in the sump).

Thanx much,

christyf5 · #4 11-12-2008, 04:14 AM

I just guessed with mine but you could time it into a measuring cup or something smaller. My sump compartment is pretty cramped so hopefully I have it in the ballpark (its pretty dang slow).

Aquattro · #5 11-12-2008, 04:15 AM

Ya, just guessed.

Jason McK · #6 11-12-2008, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

Hello,

I'm going to be starting Zeovit in a few days. Great thread. A good eye opener to pay attention to the system. Been reading up and asking questions through other various resources. One question I haven't asked of anyone yet. That being about the flow rate and the adjustment of. Looking to get an idea of how folks know they are at, say, 50-75 gph, or whatever. Educated guesswork? A certain postion of the handle? Timing it into a bucket for 1 minute? (I imagine the latter method being somewhat difficult, what with the reactor in the sump).

Thanx much,

Basically if you have a 300GPH pump you then guess at the ball valve handle position 1/2 closed whould put you at 150GPH 3/4 closed would be 75GPH

J

StirCrazy · #7 11-12-2008, 04:39 AM

when is some one going to make an automated Zeo system like the balling method.. cuz untill then it is way to much work for us who just want to enjoy our tanks with a couple hours of cleaning every two weeks.

Steve

fkshiu · #8 11-12-2008, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

when is some one going to make an automated Zeo system like the balling method.. cuz untill then it is way to much work for us who just want to enjoy our tanks with a couple hours of cleaning every two weeks.

Steve

It seems like you've got to add a lot of stuff in drips and drabs and not everything goes in on a regular daily basis. Plus you've got to keep an eye on that zeo reactor. With enough dosing pumps and some programming it might be possible, but it wouldn't be simple that's for sure.