Setting up ZEOvit System

[steve fedyk]

I've been reading about the Zeovit system for about a week and seen lots a pictures a on how well it works. Thinking of giving it a try in the new year. Couple of the guys and gals at my LFS have been useing it for four mounths to just a couple of weeks. One just started the program about three weeks ago and said he saw a big differance in colour after two weeks.
Sounds like all you need is carbon a good skimmer and Ca reactor.

Keep posting pictures on progress, thanks

[Der_Iron_Chef]

My biggest beef with Zeovit is the price of the reactor....because, really, it's the simplest construct in the history of DIY. But that's it--the results speak for themselves. I've also been thinking about trying Zeovit, so I'm also looking into making my own reactor.

[albert_dao]

Originally Posted by nanopodreefer

Surgeonfish, like the pictures, before and after, looking forward to the results. If you don't mind, I think that this would be a great place to get a Zeovit discussion going. I like the idea of Zeovit, but continue the research...

Why not share our thoughts/experiences on the pros/cons/theories and even DIY ideas re: Zeovit, all while observing Surgeonfish's tests.

I originally posted this quote below in another thread but it kinda got lost. Anyways I found this quote over at that the TalkingReef. There is a discussion there also if anyone wants extra reading.

The guy below, Anthony Calfo, seems to be some sort of author and reefer extraordinaire maybe???
____________

"Zeo-stragegy" is overall sound (albeit risky - see below) husbandry and can work with very good results when strictly adhered to.

It is not for the casual or poorly funded aquarist

It is very much for the Acroporid specialist (be sure you fit this description... see below)

It is "risky" in the sense that it aggressively manages nutrients to the extent that corals are walking a fine line of "colorful evident FPs and not overly fertilized zoox." That can (and obviously does vis a vis the reef and some beautiful Zeo-tanksin kind) work well for nearly fully autotrophic species (a corrupt generalization here... but meaning species that are mostly photosynethtic and not heavy organismal feeders) in tanks with decent fish loads (namely Acro displays)... but with any sudden change in nutrient levels or on systems with "hungrier" corals (less nearly autotrophic corals as most all we keep are other than Acros, Xenia, eg)... it can be dangerous.

And finally... it is not for casual intermediate aquarists or beginners at all because of the discipline required to apply it, the knowledge required to understand and finesse it... and the very focus (Acroporid displays) of its intended use (IMO) which preclude beginners necessarily (we do not recommend Acroporid tanks for most newbies).

Zeovit strategy is but one of the many successful ways to run a reef tank. And if you fit the above criterion, then you may well be suited for it.

Anthony Calfo
__________________

Looking forward to everyone's thoughts.

I guess my first question would be "Has Anthony Calfo ever tried Zeovit?"

I don't believe he has.

I use the system at the store to great effect. I have a thriving tank full of Xenia, Acanthastrea, Kenya Tree, Acropora, Bird'snest, Candy Canes, yadda, yadda, you get the idea. All are thriving and I'm not operating on thin ice.

GTG right now, but I'll be back later to post my experiences.

[Tom R]

Originally Posted by Jason McK

Shane,
Also, you can, instead of restricting the flow through the reactor just run it 3 hour on 3 hours off.

J

I have been using ZEOvit for 1 year now, my tank was 4 years old when i started the ZEOvit system. As Jason McK says just run your pump 3 hours on and 3 hours off. However you must ensure that the ZEOlites are continually covered in water. If the water level in the sump does not cover the ZEOlites when the pump is off you will have to come up with another way of reducing the flow. I also agree with Jason in exchanging the reactor for a larger one. My system is approx 500G with a net estimated dosing level of 350G. When I exchange the ZEOlites I leave one liter of the previous and add 2 liters of new.

Tom

[Delphinus]

I'm with Drew. The cost of the reactor is a bit of a turn-off but if you can get past that, the results do speak for themselves.

[Jason McK]

Originally Posted by surgeonfish

Are you running the ZEOvit system? If so how long have been using it and what are your results?

Thanks,
Shane

Yes I am running Zeovit. I've been running it for 16 months now. I have nothing but positive things to say about it. I feel a lot of my corals have intensified in colour, while others that had great colour to begin stayed the same.

J

[andestang]

Originally Posted by Der_Iron_Chef

My biggest beef with Zeovit is the price of the reactor....because, really, it's the simplest construct in the history of DIY. But that's it--the results speak for themselves. I've also been thinking about trying Zeovit, so I'm also looking into making my own reactor.

That is also one of the long delays for me to get started up, so I just finished making my own reactor. It cost me about $85 (including the pump) and probably made it a little more fancy than I had to.

[andestang]

Shane,I noticed you also have the K-Balance, thats one thing I did'nt get.Are you using it right away ? I have'nt read anywhere wether to use it at the beginning or not. Albert, Jason your thoughts ?

[Doug]

So if I may question something, just as a point of discussion. We so many beautiful sps and mixed reef aquariums not running zeovit. Several stunning sps displays on here for example.

How would they attain this, without zeovit and what do they do different? If this product & others are able to help in such a manner, are the non users lacking something in their systems?

Or are non Zeovit users not able to get the same colours in their sps corals, period. I assume this is because of superior water conditions for the corals from using this product.

Anyways, just wondering. As this has turned into a discussion on zeovit, I hope the thread originator does not mind and if so I can split it and move the discussion portion to its own thread.

[Delphinus]

My take on this is: you don't need Zeovit to run a successful tank. But you can use it to help run a "really successful" tank. For example, going back to Brad's thread about "not all live rock is created equal", what can you do to promote the ideal bacterial growth to consume nitrates and phosphates? If a bacterial based system can be managed to promote a low-nutrient system, then it can level out the playing field a little. Plus, encouraging the rampant growth of these bacterias to rapidly consume things like nitrate and phosphates and then be skimmed out via the skimmer, allows you to in turn ramp up your feeding, which in turn, has its own benefits (since ordinarily you're limited by the bioload capacity of the tank - so the limits are increased ).