ZEOvit/200G Build Journal - 34G Solana

[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.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Jeez...still no luck. As of tonight...

PH 8.59
Ca 450
No3 10
Alk 8.5
Mg 900 (Dropped quite a bit...not sure how since yesterday )
K+ 300 (Dosing potassium but not doing much yet)

Got the reactor in my sump (without the rocks), so just need these darn levels to get right!

Removed my refugium though the other day so I am getting a little nervous about nitrates rising. I had expected to be able to start ZEO this weekend but no luck yet.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I think the Mg test I did must have been wrong. There is no way that could drop like that overnight basically. I did some reading on Mg and it is used up relatively slow. Even just based on the salt I use, it shouldn't be that low. Plus I am dosing Kent Mg.

So I am going to test again today. Actually maybe get a LFS to test for me too so I can compare

How many of you running ZEOvit are watching the K+ real close? I know its very important with ZEO and I do trust all the experts at ZEOvit.com but do I really have to wait for it to get to 350-380 to start ZEO? Its at about 300-320 now. I have been told its not a good idea to start until everything is stable at natural sea levels. Otherwise its quite risky.

I have a feeling ZEO means a LOT more testing in the future. There seems to be a big difference in the tanks I am seeing on the ZEO forum that are really keeping on top of things and the ones that are running ZEO but not really caring all that much about keeping levels perfect...the ones taking that extra time are getting INCREDIBLE results.

I guess if I am going to do it, may as well commit and keep on top of testing

[Jason McK]

I guess I would be one that is trying to keep my levels in line but having a hard time with it. I do agree with levels perfect ZEO's results are amazing.
Keeping K levels at or around 400 was expensive and very difficult. That is one of the reasons I switched to RB salt. Because if the higher than average K levels. After the switch I stopped dosing and reading the levels. I guess I really should start back at it.

I know from experience getting the K levels above 380 does effect the corals in a very possitive way

One has to assume that in development of all of Zeovit addatives that effectivness was judge in a tank with perfect levels

J

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by Jason McK

I guess I would be one that is trying to keep my levels in line but having a hard time with it. I do agree with levels perfect ZEO's results are amazing.
Keeping K levels at or around 400 was expensive and very difficult. That is one of the reasons I switched to RB salt. Because if the higher than average K levels. After the switch I stopped dosing and reading the levels. I guess I really should start back at it.

I know from experience getting the K levels above 380 does effect the corals in a very possitive way

One has to assume that in development of all of Zeovit addatives that effectivness was judge in a tank with perfect levels

J

Actually yes I have been told that the results of ZEO are all based on keeping perfect levels. I guess they actually "tested" it on a 15 year old tank for a long time to get it to where it is now.

When reading through the ZEO site, I notice way more test results posted than any other reef site I have ever been to. The build threads are all about test results . IMO that makes sense since we are trying to keep things as close to natural as possible, even if your not running ZEO. I really never used to test much but my tanks have also never looked nearly as good as some of the ZEOvit tanks I am seeing.

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

How many of you running ZEOvit are watching the K+ real close? I know its very important with ZEO and I do trust all the experts at ZEOvit.com but do I really have to wait for it to get to 350-380 to start ZEO? Its at about 300-320 now. I have been told its not a good idea to start until everything is stable at natural sea levels. Otherwise its quite risky.

LOL, I ended up sending a photo to the guys on zeovit.com I was so ticked off at how difficult it is to read the test. He was like "yep you're at 380". I have no idea how he could figure that out from a photo.

I found with my testing that its very important at first, then less important as you go along. By this I mean test often at first, then less often later. Currently I test every 2-3 weeks vs every waterchange (weekly). I'm also using RBS which helps.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by christyf5

LOL, I ended up sending a photo to the guys on zeovit.com I was so ticked off at how difficult it is to read the test. He was like "yep you're at 380". I have no idea how he could figure that out from a photo.

I found with my testing that its very important at first, then less important as you go along. By this I mean test often at first, then less often later. Currently I test every 2-3 weeks vs every waterchange (weekly). I'm also using RBS which helps.

Oh I know! That test is ridiculous to read for me too.

What you say about testing makes total sense. I guess as you get the ZEO going and the tank stabilizes, the less you need to test. The weekly water changes that ZEO requires must help big time with keeping everything stable as well.

I am going to try to switch to RBS I think. Seems to be the best way to go.

[iansfishy]

GSP, is there any way you could give me a rough price breakdown of what it has cost you to start zeo up to this point. Im thinking about starting it, but am getting tired of spending money on "the next great step in reefing". As well I can only get to my tank every second day as it is at my other house. do you think this is something that would have to be constantly monitered, or at least watched very close for the first couple days or weeks? Thanks.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by iansfishy

GSP, is there any way you could give me a rough price breakdown of what it has cost you to start zeo up to this point. Im thinking about starting it, but am getting tired of spending money on "the next great step in reefing". As well I can only get to my tank every second day as it is at my other house. do you think this is something that would have to be constantly monitered, or at least watched very close for the first couple days or weeks? Thanks.

Yeah sure.

I have actually been looking at ZEOvit for a while but thought it was too expensive until the Vertex reactors came along. I bought the Vertex Starter Package from J&L which has the reactor, zeolites and three basics. Everything you need to start. So $200 to start (depending on your tank size though).

It also depends if you already have all the test kits you will need. I would say most people don't have the potassium kit and you NEED it. That was around $40. I also bought the Potassium supplement which was around $40.

I would say for me to start its been about $300.

It will get more expensive BUT all over a few months or so. I am told I will not even be able to use most of the other additives until month 3 or so. So it will add up but over time.

I would say from what I have learned so far, its really worth it if your committed and stay on track. Ie. Weekly water changes and regular testing to keep all levels correct. To me, the results are second to none.

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

.....
How many of you running ZEOvit are watching the K+ real close? I know its very important with ZEO ....

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,