Zeovit - Enough talk, show some pics

[Willito]

I'll rephrase that. With a good understanding and the ability to keep ph,alk,cal,mag, and nutrient levels balanced, you will achieve good colors. You don't need zeovit to achieve that, it's just a poor excuse that cost money and time that you don't need.

[Delphinus]

Zeovit isn't necessary, but it's fun.

I will say this: the water clarity I got with Zeo was unparalleled with anything previous I tried, including denitrators and ozone. The difference in water clarity truly caught me off guard. I feel the water was far more polished looking than with anything I've tried previously.

The use of Zeo allows me to increase my margins: I can feed more to my livestock than I would be able to without, and not hopefully not worry about NO3 or PO4 running away on me. And I don't need to run GFO, so that helps. And it has the benefit of feeding the corals as well.

So, I'm happy with Zeo, and plan to continue with it. I'm a total newb at Zeo though, I'm only one month in.

But, it's not a limiting factor by any stretch. There are nice SPS tanks with Zeo, there are nice SPS tanks without Zeo. It is therefore not a critical path or limiting factor, but just one tool that one can employ out of an arsenal of tools or methodologies. As with many other things, it's not what's right, but what's right for you that counts in the end.

[Willito]

Well put Tony.

[marie]

Originally Posted by Canadian

You NEED Zeo products to have colorful SPS - it's a fact.

I've Never used zeo

[untamed]

Originally Posted by Canadian

You NEED Zeo products to have colorful SPS - it's a fact.

Hmm...I have to respectfully disagree with this statement as well. It is certainly NOT a fact. "It's a fact" may be just an expression people throw around a bit casually.

[untamed]

There are two aspects to Zeo that would probably stop me from ever getting fully involved.

The first is that they won't tell me what is in their little bottles. "Add 1 drop of this per 25 gallons per day"...What am I putting in there? OK, it is their secret to keep...but it just doesn't feel right to me. (Note that I am currently adding sponge power and one other one....so it's not like I won't do it...just that it doesn't quite sit right with me)

The second is that it feels a bit like following someone else's instructions. Do exactly this...do exactly that...achieve exactly the same thing as everyone else. My tank is too much an expression of my individuality to just follow an instruction manual.

The system seems to produce the results as promised...but that in itself doesn't provide me reason to use it.

[bv_reefer]

i'm starting this wednesday
gonna just start off with K-balance for growth and color and get some coral snow and see how it works out

edited for bitter and disgruntled content.....

[Snappy]

I agree with Tony as well.
I have seen nice looking sps tanks that use zeo and plenty that don't. IMO colourful sps has several variables, one many people don't discuss is genetics. Not all corals of the same species will look exactly the same so don't expect it. Although you can often get lucky with unknowns I generally prefer to get pieces that are from known good parent colonies because over the years I have bought my fair share of duds that I thought might have potential but never lived up to my expectations. That said, low nitrates, minimal alk & ph spikes are key. Proper flow, lighting and skimming are also major parts of the equation. I personally don't use zeo and for the most part have managed to achieve pretty reasonable colour. Using zeo or not is a personal preference and good results are not guaranteed with any husbandry method unless proper care is provided.
Because I tend to over stock my tank with both fish & corals I use an oversized skimmer and dose with AA's to help lower my nitrates. Some may call it a lack of skill or cheating on my part which is fine but I only do a 10% water change every 5-8 weeks so for me it's worth it.

For the "that's a fact" comment here is an example from my tank that I think has colour due to genetics and a healthy environment, not zeo or even AA's. Who knows, with zeo it may get better colour? I don't know but in reality this picture although bright doesn't really do it justice.
(I disturbed it before the picture so the polyps would retract to better show the coralites)

[Delphinus]

Oh my. That thing is insane!!!

I'm not sure but I thought Canadian might have been pulling a fast one with the "need" comment, because Brad had said something a couple weeks ago about needing halides (which I think was also in jest). Maybe I'm off base and maybe I shouldn't be speculating what others mean.

To me, you don't need halides but you do need good light. You don't need a skimmer but you do need careful management of nutrient import vs. nutrient export. You don't need Tunzes or Vortechs but you do need adequate water movement. Etc. Etc.