Ultralith Users Please Read

[Delphinus]

Really, this doesn't happen with Zeovit? Because my tank took a huge nosedive after I swapped out the zeolites, I kept about 10% of the old and replaced the rest. I have a 1l reactor. Maybe it has nothing to do with the zeolites but the timing coincidence is really hard to ignore.

[albert_dao]

I've never experienced it, but regardless, I'd recommend reducing your flow through the reactor for a couple weeks after you change.

If I were to stake a guess, it would be that pre-stage 3/late stage 2, most tanks can't handle the abrupt drops in the levels of organics that generally follow zeolith switchouts. That said, I'm finding it more and more suspect that the FM product is, as claimed, safer to use and less aggressive...

[kwirky]

For my zeo-vit system when I swap the zeolytes I throttle back the water flow another 75% from it's current rate then slowly increase it again over the course of 2 weeks. I find that you can't really have too little flow through the reactor but it's VERY easy to have too much. Dunno if that works the same with ultralith though.

[Delphinus]

In my case I never opened up the flow because I never really understood what the criteria was for how to determine when it's safe to increase the flow. So I swapped out zeolites and before and after were both about 75% reduced flow.

Like I said in another thread though I'm not entirely certain that I'm either doing Zeo correctly, or whether something is physically wrong with the additives I'm using. I'm down to basic 4 now (discontinued SP, discontinued CS, discontinued amino acids altogether, etc.) and if anything, anything I do just seems to cause more stress and distress in my tank. I'm at the point where I'm considering discontinuing zeovit altogether but I'm truly afraid to rock the boat now.

I honestly thought FM and KZ were more or less equivalent product lines. It's not like they tell us what's in their magic bottles so it's hard for the end consumer to truly have an informed opinion.. It's hard to remain dispassionate while talking about it because behind the scenes I have a lot of heartache and grief going on with my tank.

[BMW Rider]

I'm really not that confidant in any of these type of additive systems anymore. They seem to all have big hype behind them with all kinds of glowing testimonials; then you start to hear about the dirty dark side to them. Tank crashes, bad reactions, etc.

I had a good start with the Reefresh system, then things satarted going bad. I've dropped the regimn, gone back to good old tried and true reefkeeping methods, and my tank and corals are much better for it.

These systems seem to be like cocain for your tank. Its all amazing when you've got just the right high going, but miss a hit or have a bit of an OD and things get ugly quick. And the cost is on par with a drug habit too

[Jason McK]

Sorry to hear about your problems Christy. Just wondering how soon did you leave on your trip after changing you rock? Also did you dose any Bac before you left?

In the Zeo system too much flow has caused RTN and brown outs when first starting out. or after a rock change. Zeo recomments 300GPH once your Zeo system is established. I have found much better results at lower GPH around 200 to 250.
this might help

J

[christyf5]

I changed out the rock on Monday/Tuesday (as I had finally picked up some Sunday night) and dosed the tank until we left Thursday am (no dosing Thursday). Perhaps that wasn't enough dosing? I guess I shouldn't have made any changes with the tank knowing that I would be away. Honestly I didn't think 4 days would be that big of a deal, in hindsight I suppose it was.

I also have the flow throttled back. I've read varying information on just what the flow should be and it beats the hell out of me. Flow going through the reactor is set at about 100gph. It never said anywhere to lessen the flow after changing out the rocks.

[kwirky]

has anybody on the ultralith forums been able to explain what's happening?

[michika]

Christy,

Are you seeing any improvement?

[christyf5]

Things are starting to come back slowly. I think its just a matter of time and everything will be back to normal. I don't know about those caps though, especially the tan one, it looks pretty bleached. I guess time will tell.

Wendell, didn't get your email.