ZEOvit/200G Build Journal - 34G Solana

[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.

[BlueAbyss]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

So tested again...

Ca 420
Alk 7
Mg 1300
K+ 320 ish (low but I am dosing potassium)


So safe to start ZEO! But I haven't...I am still so worried to start!

Seems like everyday the past few weeks, the tank has been looking better and better. Coloration is great, growth is great. I am so scared to ruin things. The reason I still want to do it though is that nitrates have now crept up to about 15-20! Jeez. Funny thing is though, the corals are responding so well to the increased nitrates.

Guess I will start tomorrow anyways...I don't want to see where this tank is going if I continue to let the nitrates rise.

Yeah, having corals respond well to an environment that's not completely devoid of nutrients isn't uncommon. However, like you said, you don't want to see where it could go if things get out of hand... and that's why people use Zeo, especially when they have a heavy fish load. Like you do

Nice tank by the way.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

Yeah, having corals respond well to an environment that's not completely devoid of nutrients isn't uncommon. However, like you said, you don't want to see where it could go if things get out of hand... and that's why people use Zeo, especially when they have a heavy fish load. Like you do

Nice tank by the way.

Yeah its just one of those things...you don't want to mess with whats working well but at the same time, you know its not going to work well long term

I have another big fish coming in the next day or two and thats really going to put this tank over the top for bioload. I do have a bigger tank to upgrade to as soon as the time comes but I want to hold off on that until I move in a year or so...my place is just too small. For now the fish seem to be happy and have enough room. If that changes anytime soon though, I will either have the custom tank I want made or set up my 240. If we decide to stay in this condo longer than expected (and might because if we sell now, we loose big time with the market down...we bought high ) then I am going to have a custom tank build around 7'x30"wide and 16" tall. So gives the fish lots of room but isn't massive like my 240. I had the 240 in my place when I bought it and it was ridiculous. If I were a bachelor, the thing would already be set up but if I set it up in our small condo, I may end up a bachelor Its 8'x2'x2'

New fish BTW is an Aussie Harlequin Tusk. I have been waiting for a nice looking one for a while now and J&L had two gorgeous ones come in yesterday. I would have taken one right there on the spot but they were not even acclimated fully yet. Although thinking of it now, maybe it would have been less stress to just acclimate it straight to my tank instead of going to two new tanks in a matter of days...oh well, they are tough fish, I am sure he will be fine.

Probably not the best time to be adding fish as I am just starting ZEO but we'll see.

I should get some before pics of my corals today so we can see what ZEO does for my tank. Problem right now is that there is still quite the sand storm from the new wavebox

I have had to clean the wavebox out twice a day to make sure sand does not get stuck in the pump and cause the controller to shut it down and sound the VERY annoying alarm.

Maybe I should add a layer of a coarser sand? Any suggestions? Or just let it be and eventually the sand will settle...

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Some pictures. Just want to document something pre-ZEOvit. I am pretty happy with color of about half my sps and the other half are starting to color up (most were brown when I got them). My gorgonians are another story...my nice purple one keeps getting brighter but all the yellow ones I have are now brown. Not sure if ZEO will do anything there.

I am not going to document EVERY coral in the tank but here are a few I will keep taking pics of along the way:

[GreenSpottedPuffer]