ZEOvit/200G Build Journal - 34G Solana

[BCOrchidGuy]

Thinking of the Zeo system but it sounds like to much work to me. The rocks need to be cleaned twice a day is that correct? I understand the 3 hours on 3 hours off part, for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria... easy peasy right?? Once things are established how often should you take measurments of everyting??? I'm trying to face up to the reality of how I do things and I don't want to get in over my head.

Douglas

[Delphinus]

It's really not that bad Doug. I had the same hesitations (note - I don't currently run Zeovit, but the reason isn't that it was too much work - and I plan for my new tank to be Zeovit from day 1, whenever it gets water in it that is). But anyhow, you feed your fish everyday right? You at least check on them once a day. Now add to that routine a couple pumps on a reactor handle (and .. it sounds silly but it's kind of fun) and maybe a little drip drip here or a drip drip there with some additives, and hey presto, you're done.

[FlamesFan]

Originally Posted by BCOrchidGuy

Thinking of the Zeo system but it sounds like to much work to me. The rocks need to be cleaned twice a day is that correct? I understand the 3 hours on 3 hours off part, for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria... easy peasy right?? Once things are established how often should you take measurments of everyting??? I'm trying to face up to the reality of how I do things and I don't want to get in over my head.

Douglas

No the rocks do not need to be cleaned daily. You simply aggitate them by pumping a handle up and down on the reactor once a day.

Also, a reactor is prefered but not required. Many people passively run the zeovit in a bag in their sump. Which is also agitated manually once a day.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

So for all you experienced ZEO user out there, I have a question.

I am upgrading tanks. I have a 200G coming and will moving everything over. So now my reactor is too small...technically. Will it still be possible to use the 1.5L reactor or do I need to upgrade to a 3L. If it means an upgrade then I think this will already be the end of the road for my ZEO experiment. I would go back to a huge refugium instead. I just can't justify paying a bunch of money again for a new reactor.

Just curious.

[Jason McK]

Well IMO you should be OK. There are a lot of Zeo Users that have larger than 300G tanks and the largest reactor is 3L so you must be able to go a bit lower in volume

J

[Johnny Reefer]

KZ makes 4L & 6L models as well.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Well I have to stick to my 1.5L unit...hopefully it will still keep up with a 200G tank. Actually more like 250G total water volume. Might be really pushing it but I would imagine its still got to be somewhat effective. Up the flow rate and add more zeolites over time I would assume. The "pros" over at the ZEO forum will know for sure what to do

[Johnny Reefer]

You could always just run the extra 1L of zeolite passively in your sump. Just put it were there is some flow and knead it twice a day by hand.