Korallen-Zucht ZEOvit Nano Thread

[NanoTopia]

NOT a place for debate on the methodology itself or trolling!

 

A place for all Nano tank ZEOvit users either in full, hybrid, or in part.

 

Discuss, ask questions, show off your tank, system, and corals, or just hang out and be cool

 

 

 

Some helpful Links:

 

ZEOvit Guide

 

Korallen-Zucht.de

 

14 Day Cycle

 

Product Finder

 

Dosing Schedule

[JR!]

thanks for this thread. gonna have to watch thing one close and see what i can learn

[natalia_la_loca]

Great idea I recently started using zeovit (additives only, no zeolite reactor) in my nuvo 8 and my seahorse tank. Will be following along.

[NanoTopia]

I am gathering information on a different site regarding ZeoStart3 dosing. I am asking users what amount of ZeoStart3 they are dosing on a daily basis and their net water volume. My hypothesis is that the higher or maximum+ KZ recommended dosage, although effective at reducing nutrients, may have more negative effects than positive effects overall. The negative effects are related to the health and appearance of corals, both LPS and SPS. I have studied some well known and notable Zeovit reefs and the amount they are dosing daily, so far, and I am still researching, it looks like most are dosing the minimum or less than minimum dosage on their reefs.

 

Overdose of ZeoStart3 symptoms are brown algae and often bubbles forming on rocks and substrate. I hypothesize that overdose can cause a thinning of coral tissue in SPS and in general, poor health of both SPS and LPS corals, possibly even browning of coral tissue.

 

I welcome reefers using the full Zeovit system to share their net water volume and total daily amount of ZeoStart3 dosed.

[natalia_la_loca]

I am gathering information on a different site regarding ZeoStart3 dosing. I am asking users what amount of ZeoStart3 they are dosing on a daily basis and their net water volume. My hypothesis is that the higher or maximum+ KZ recommended dosage, although effective at reducing nutrients, may have more negative effects than positive effects overall. The negative effects are related to the health and appearance of corals, both LPS and SPS. I have studied some well known and notable Zeovit reefs and the amount they are dosing daily, so far, and I am still researching, it looks like most are dosing the minimum or less than minimum dosage on their reefs.

 

Overdose of ZeoStart3 symptoms are brown algae and often bubbles forming on rocks and substrate. I hypothesize that overdose can cause a thinning of coral tissue in SPS and in general, poor health of both SPS and LPS corals, possibly even browning of coral tissue.

 

I welcome reefers using the full Zeovit system to share their net water volume and total daily amount of ZeoStart3 dosed.

 

My situation isn't really comparable because I don't use the full zeo system, but I've been phasing into the use of Zeostart3 with Zeobak and Biomate in my 37 gallon (about 32 gallons net) seahorse tank. I'm dosing 0.5 ml daily (0.25 ml, i.e. 4 drops, in AM and PM). [EDIT: LATE NIGHT WRITING ERROR--I ACTUALLY DOSE A TOTAL OF 0.25 ML DAILY]

 

Before beginning with Zeostart, I had been dosing 5 ml vodka daily and cut this in half when I started Zeostart3, but still saw an increase in stringy bacteria gunk/mulm as well as cyano and hair algae. Over a couple of weeks, I reduced vodka to 1 ml daily and that's where I'm at now; haven't decided whether to eliminate it entirely. There is now no visible mulm and the hair algae is beaten back, but I still get a light film of cyano on the sand. Coral color is good. A browned-out birdsnest is starting to show green again at the tips.

[Alex B]

This is awesome. Look forward to learning and contributing!

[NanoTopia]

My situation isn't really comparable because I don't use the full zeo system, but I've been phasing into the use of Zeostart3 with Zeobak and Biomate in my 37 gallon (about 32 gallons net) seahorse tank. I'm dosing 0.5 ml daily (0.25 ml, i.e. 4 drops, in AM and PM).

 

Before beginning with Zeostart, I had been dosing 5 ml vodka daily and cut this in half when I started Zeostart3, but still saw an increase in stringy bacteria gunk/mulm as well as cyano and hair algae. Over a couple of weeks, I reduced vodka to 1 ml daily and that's where I'm at now; haven't decided whether to eliminate it entirely. There is now no visible mulm and the hair algae is beaten back, but I still get a light film of cyano on the sand. Coral color is good. A browned-out birdsnest is starting to show green again at the tips.

Your largely overdosing ZeoStart3 IMO, I would be dosing 0.15mL daily on 32 gallons. Of course that is with Stones in place, but I still think ZS3 is more concentrated than Vodka.

 

If your not experiencing any issues long term then continue, I would be on the look out for STN down the road if nutrients are too low.

[natalia_la_loca]

Your largely overdosing ZeoStart3 IMO, I would be dosing 0.15mL daily on 32 gallons. Of course that is with Stones in place, but I still think ZS3 is more concentrated than Vodka.

 

If your not experiencing any issues long term then continue, I would be on the look out for STN down the road if nutrients are too low.

 

Thank you, I will keep that in mind and see if it's beneficial to reduce the dosage. I've been dosing carbon pretty heavily in this tank to balance out the bioload from the seahorses as well as my relatively heavy feeding of corals, especially the acans and sun coral. They get additional feedings whenever I have leftover mysis from feeding the seahorses.

[farkwar]

What I don't understand is that dosing is based on gallons, not bioload or feeding amount. Or even types of animals.

 

That is counter intuitive.

 

After seeing the 40 breeder that glennr posted a bit back, I can't say my 40 is overstocked, of course(I have way more fish by rule of thumb or conventional wisdom, than I should have) . And I am reluctant to say my algae issues are related to overdosing Zeo, and more inclined to say its overfeeding.

 

As example, I tried Hikari algae pellets and wafers as a change if pace for the herbivores, virtually the next day plugs, rocks, and tank bottom are green. Effectively bypassing the Zeo nutrient removal process, almost immediately.

 

When I move my animals to the display tank, I am going to have to get more regimented with both minimizing Zeo dosing and feeding. I will be using syringe and dosing pumps for a lot of that. And I predict this will exact a toll on fish and LPS and soft corals (my palys, chalices, and acans are pigs). Most of those successful Zeo systems you note, are they SPS only/primarily?

 

What I also dont understand is that my experimental ATS only grows cyano. I have cyano nowhere else in the tank. I started Cyano Clean, so far no changes with that. Biomate, no results yet after 2 weeks. I bought a new tank for the sump, 29T its too difficult to take the reactor out to change stones(its like a late term abortion to get it out, have to dismantle it in the sump first), 20l is shorter; still undecided on doing the ATS in that. It works easily as an exporter, of everything that cyano consumes; not as intended but still works. Its just as easy to pull out a wad of purple snot as it is removing chaeto from a refugium.

[farkwar]

And speaking of Zeovit Nano, anyone know why when you buy the KZ Zeo Nano package it comes in a Vertex Aquaristic box with seal?

[AJ_Tsin]

In. Great idea.

 

Here is a link to my Full ZeoVit Build for those interested.

 

 

On the ZeoStart3 topic. I am currently modifying my dosage to find that sweet spot. I was dosing about 0.4-0.5 ml daily on 55ish gallons of net water.

I was experiencing a bit of brownish grey film on the glass daily and a slight bit of bubbling forming on the rock work during photo period.

ZeoStart3 has been reduced to 0.30 ml daily and I will track and note the effects over the course of the week.

 

I run a full zeovit system, only products going into the tank right now that aren't from Blue bottles are BRS two part, and Brightwell Strontion and Potassion, no preference here its just what I had left over from a previous build.

[D Z]

Great idea making this thread. I have actually been researching the Zeovit Nano package for the past couple days and have a couple questions.

 

1) It seems that package is geared more towards a nano tank that is not necessarily a full Zeo system. What requirements do you feel are necessary, though, before starting to dose the products in the nano package? ULNS? Tank established for X amount of months?

 

2) Does it matter if you are running any kind of chemical filtration? Is the Zeovit additives more effective if you use a certain type of chemical filtration? I currently am running Purigen and ChemiPure Elite, but have thought about switching to GFO and/or plain carbon. Any thoughts?

 

3) The reason I am thinking about starting the nano package is for overall coral health, growth, and color. I have a Nuvo 8, mixed reef. No SPS yet, but plan to add some in a couple months once the tank is more established. Is it worth it for me to start the zeovit nano package, or would it just be a waste?

 

Oh and my plan is to use Zeobak plus all 4 products in the zeovit nano package. Something along the lines of the following dosing schedule. I found this on a post in the zeovit forum:

Monday:
* 1 drop Coral Vitalizer
Tuesday:
* 1 drop Sponge Power
Wednesday:
* 6 drops (0.3ml) Xtra
Thursday:
* 6 drops (0.3ml) AA LPS
Friday:
* 1 drop Sponge Power
Saturday:
* 6 drops (0.3ml) Xtra
Sunday:
* Water Change
* 6 drops (0.3ml) AA LPS
* 1 drop Zeobak

4) Are there any other products that you would feel would be necessary to add to this regimen that would be beneficial?

[natalia_la_loca]

 

Great idea making this thread. I have actually been researching the Zeovit Nano package for the past couple days and have a couple questions.

 

1) It seems that package is geared more towards a nano tank that is not necessarily a full Zeo system. What requirements do you feel are necessary, though, before starting to dose the products in the nano package? ULNS? Tank established for X amount of months?

I'm interested in this too for my nuvo 8. Right now I'm only dosing sponge power and coral vitalizer twice a week.

 

KZ does advise running carbon. I don't know about chemi pure or purigen.

[MySafeWordIsWhiskey]

This is my little tank. This is a pic from a few weeks back.

 

http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/petersmithinak/media/FTSsunlit_zpse14ff1e7.jpg.html'>

 

I have stones and carbon in the AC50.

 

Carbon is on the bottom of of Steve Ts media basket, stones are on top. That allows me to shake them up everyday.

 

Right now I am having algae issues. I have a hitchhiker macro algae that goes on the warpath and grows like crazy every few months and then goes sexual. I cant seem to rid the tank of it.

 

I do weekly 10-15% water changes and dose one drop of the nano pack + one drop of ZeoBak per week. I am not using ZeoStart 3. Could that be the issue?

 

Any suggestions would be welcome.

[D Z]

I'm interested in this too for my nuvo 8. Right now I'm only dosing sponge power and coral vitalizer twice a week.

 

KZ does advise running carbon. I don't know about chemi pure or purigen.

Thanks for the input. I actually just got done reading through your Nuvo 8 thread. I love all of the z's and p's. How long have you been using the sponge power and coral vitalizer? Have you noticed any definite changes/improvements?

 

I think I read somewhere that Purigen is ok for zeovit additives, but I have never read anything about chemi pure. I'm pretty sure chemi pure elite is a combination of carbo and GFO, but I am not 100%. Maybe someone will know more and chime it.

[Dramad1]

Ive been using the nano pack on my bc since the tank has been cycled.

Net water is 24 gals. 2 days before wc i dose 1ml coral snow and 1 drop cv, 1 Day before w/c I dose 1 drop sponge power. 5 gal wc on sundays and 2 gal wc every other week on Wednesdays along w/ the normal 5 gal on sundays. Tuesdays, depending on the overall appearance of corals I dose 1 drop amino acids. I stopped dosing xtra all together. I noticed my corals do not respond well to it a fee days after dosing.

In the beginning I was running cpe, purigen, floss in the media basket. I was told by someone that the gfo in the cpe was not good to run if dosing zeovit products so I swapped out the cpe and now run kz carbon in a reactor and swap it out once every 2 weeks. I also switched from purigen to phosguard.

I have an unknown acro that had browned out when I first got it, it is now coloring up nicely and has seen an explosion of growth over the last month. Went from 2 sticks to about 5 and showing a nice pastel green coloration. I have a table acro that was yellow and browned out on me as well that is starting to return to it color and is exploding in growth as well. All of my lps and softys are doing well and have shown good growth and coloration as well.

I am not running stones or using any other zeo products, just the three outta the nano pack. Not sure if im getting the full potential out of my methods but corals seem to be doing well.

Comments on the gfo and my dosing schedule?

[NanoTopia]

Thank you, I will keep that in mind and see if it's beneficial to reduce the dosage. I've been dosing carbon pretty heavily in this tank to balance out the bioload from the seahorses as well as my relatively heavy feeding of corals, especially the acans and sun coral. They get additional feedings whenever I have leftover mysis from feeding the seahorses.

Reduce ZS3 slowly over a month or so. How do your LPS look? Every tank is different but if you are not experiencing negative results from OD of ZS3 now, I think you may in the future.

[natalia_la_loca]

Reduce ZS3 slowly over a month or so. How do your LPS look? Every tank is different but if you are not experiencing negative results from OD of ZS3 now, I think you may in the future.

 

Ergh, I wrote the wrong figure for my ZS3 dosing. It's actually 0.25 ml total per day. I was really tired when I wrote.

 

I would characterize my LPS growth as very, very good. This has not changed since I started dosing ZS3, but I'm monitoring everything carefully.

 

Here's a pic from a couple of days ago. The trumpets/candycanes have always grown like weeds, acans are plumped up and have loads of babies around the edges. Light cyano film is visible on the sand.

[NanoTopia]

What I don't understand is that dosing is based on gallons, not bioload or feeding amount. Or even types of animals.

 

That is counter intuitive.

 

After seeing the 40 breeder that glennr posted a bit back, I can't say my 40 is overstocked, of course(I have way more fish by rule of thumb or conventional wisdom, than I should have) . And I am reluctant to say my algae issues are related to overdosing Zeo, and more inclined to say its overfeeding.

 

As example, I tried Hikari algae pellets and wafers as a change if pace for the herbivores, virtually the next day plugs, rocks, and tank bottom are green. Effectively bypassing the Zeo nutrient removal process, almost immediately.

 

When I move my animals to the display tank, I am going to have to get more regimented with both minimizing Zeo dosing and feeding. I will be using syringe and dosing pumps for a lot of that. And I predict this will exact a toll on fish and LPS and soft corals (my palys, chalices, and acans are pigs). Most of those successful Zeo systems you note, are they SPS only/primarily?

 

What I also dont understand is that my experimental ATS only grows cyano. I have cyano nowhere else in the tank. I started Cyano Clean, so far no changes with that. Biomate, no results yet after 2 weeks. I bought a new tank for the sump, 29T its too difficult to take the reactor out to change stones(its like a late term abortion to get it out, have to dismantle it in the sump first), 20l is shorter; still undecided on doing the ATS in that. It works easily as an exporter, of everything that cyano consumes; not as intended but still works. Its just as easy to pull out a wad of purple snot as it is removing chaeto from a refugium.

Dosing is based on NET water volume in the total system. An yes, not on bioload however, in some systems it can be tweaked for a slightly higher bioload but it is seldom necessary.

 

I have a mixed tank, I have found Zeovit to work well on all corals. LPS need to be target fed from time to time and POM needs to be added at least 3 times a week in the form of CV or even Oyster Eggs, maybe both. The basics of ZEOvit are all about reducing ammonia before it has a chance to be converted to NO2/NO3. Of course that is only when the full system is in place, the stones play a huge roll in this. The higher the bioload the more frequently they need to be changed out.

 

Algae pellets or phytoplankton are trouble in any tank IMO. I would dose that stuff lightly. Herbivores like to graze and what comes out the other side is phytoplankton based detritus. This adds to the suspended phytoplankton in the water, and in turn high PO4. ZEOvit can manage it but IMO only if your tank is balanced and not overstocked with fish.

 

ZEOvit is more intended for SPS tanks because it has mostly to do with colours, the final outcome of low nutrients, the right additives and light. But most tanks I see have LPS, even softies doing really well in them.

 

Not sure what your doing in the "experimental ATS" but it sounds like your doing it wrong. I have run many systems in the past and now ZEOvit on my 20 gallon. I only know what cyanobacteria looks like from seeing it at the LFS. It is a complex bacteria that many struggle with, IMO the basis of it's existence is too much detritus and DOM in the system. Carbon dosing only fuels it further once it is established.

[natalia_la_loca]

Thanks for the input. I actually just got done reading through your Nuvo 8 thread. I love all of the z's and p's. How long have you been using the sponge power and coral vitalizer? Have you noticed any definite changes/improvements?

 

I think I read somewhere that Purigen is ok for zeovit additives, but I have never read anything about chemi pure. I'm pretty sure chemi pure elite is a combination of carbo and GFO, but I am not 100%. Maybe someone will know more and chime it.

 

Thanks, glad you like it I won't declare victory until/unless everything is still happy at the one-year mark and beyond. I've been using the Sponge Power for about two months. I only started directly adding coral vitalizer a couple weeks ago. I see a direct feeding response when dosing the latter.

 

Growth and polyp extension have been excellent overall. I'm not sure if this is because of feeding (very small amounts of Coral Frenzy 1-2x/week) or the KZ additives. I just finished treating a couple of frags for suspected zoa pox, so we'll see if my luck holds.

[NanoTopia]

And speaking of Zeovit Nano, anyone know why when you buy the KZ Zeo Nano package it comes in a Vertex Aquaristic box with seal?

I never bought this pack before but I think it is a great idea. Vertex has some of the sexiest packaging in the industry and both companies are located in Germany

[NanoTopia]

In. Great idea.

 

On the ZeoStart3 topic. I am currently modifying my dosage to find that sweet spot. I was dosing about 0.4-0.5 ml daily on 55ish gallons of net water.

 

I was experiencing a bit of brownish grey film on the glass daily and a slight bit of bubbling forming on the rock work during photo period.

 

ZeoStart3 has been reduced to 0.30 ml daily and I will track and note the effects over the course of the week.

 

I run a full zeovit system, only products going into the tank right now that aren't from Blue bottles are BRS two part, and Brightwell Strontion and Potassion, no preference here its just what I had left over from a previous build.

Aj,

 

I was told that when ZeoStart3 replaced ZeoStart2 a few years ago that it would allow for higher doses without the side effects. I am not sure if this is true or not since I have never used ZS2. I do suspect the improvements were minimal at best and the maximum dosage of ZS3 is often still problematic in most systems. I think you will see a gradual improvement in time as you lower your ZS3 dosing. Also, I suggest dosing your daily dose divided onto 2 or 3 throughout the day. This should also help keep the biology more stable and decrease algae films.

[NanoTopia]

This is my little tank. This is a pic from a few weeks back.

 

 

I have stones and carbon in the AC50.

 

Carbon is on the bottom of of Steve Ts media basket, stones are on top. That allows me to shake them up everyday.

 

Right now I am having algae issues. I have a hitchhiker macro algae that goes on the warpath and grows like crazy every few months and then goes sexual. I cant seem to rid the tank of it.

 

I do weekly 10-15% water changes and dose one drop of the nano pack + one drop of ZeoBak per week. I am not using ZeoStart 3. Could that be the issue?

 

Any suggestions would be welcome.

What an awesome tank !

 

Dosing ZEOvit products in a nano tank is often an issue because the products are so concentrated. However, I think you are not overdosing at one drop/week so likely your biology is not stable without the ZeoStart3 dosing. The problem is you would need to dose so little ZS3 that you would have to first dilute with sterile water 1:19 and dose starting with 2 drops AM and 2 drops PM (diluted solution). This amount could be slowly increased until OD systems are experienced or nutrients are low and in NSW range. Keep in mind, flow through the stains is very important, and I would guess given your filter that you flow is going to be a bit high through the stones when/if you begin ZS3. I would reduce the flow some how if possible.

 

Also, I would stop and iodine dosing if you are currently dosing it, at least until nutrients are low and stable.

 

I'm interested in this too for my nuvo 8. Right now I'm only dosing sponge power and coral vitalizer twice a week.

 

KZ does advise running carbon. I don't know about chemi pure or purigen.

 

Not needed, stick with Seachem Matrix Carbon or the KZ one, they are not as aggressive as some other brands.

[natalia_la_loca]

Not needed, stick with Seachem Matrix Carbon or the KZ one, they are not as aggressive as some other brands.

 

OK. Any opinions about Bulk Reef Supply small particle lignite carbon? That's what I'm using in both of my tanks.

[NanoTopia]

Ive been using the nano pack on my bc since the tank has been cycled.

Net water is 24 gals. 2 days before wc i dose 1ml coral snow and 1 drop cv, 1 Day before w/c I dose 1 drop sponge power. 5 gal wc on sundays and 2 gal wc every other week on Wednesdays along w/ the normal 5 gal on sundays. Tuesdays, depending on the overall appearance of corals I dose 1 drop amino acids. I stopped dosing xtra all together. I noticed my corals do not respond well to it a fee days after dosing.

In the beginning I was running cpe, purigen, floss in the media basket. I was told by someone that the gfo in the cpe was not good to run if dosing zeovit products so I swapped out the cpe and now run kz carbon in a reactor and swap it out once every 2 weeks. I also switched from purigen to phosguard.

I have an unknown acro that had browned out when I first got it, it is now coloring up nicely and has seen an explosion of growth over the last month. Went from 2 sticks to about 5 and showing a nice pastel green coloration. I have a table acro that was yellow and browned out on me as well that is starting to return to it color and is exploding in growth as well. All of my lps and softys are doing well and have shown good growth and coloration as well.

I am not running stones or using any other zeo products, just the three outta the nano pack. Not sure if im getting the full potential out of my methods but corals seem to be doing well.

Comments on the gfo and my dosing schedule?

 

I would do your water change then dose coral snow and SP immediately after. Dose the CV at lights out that night and AA (I assume AALPS) the next day. I assume you are skimming. Phosgaurd is aluminum based, not for any reef tank IMO.

 

The best results are achieved when the full Zeovit system is properly in place, the basis of the system is it's ability to effectively remove ammonia, and balance the biology of the tank in general.

 

OK. Any opinions about Bulk Reef Supply small particle lignite carbon? That's what I'm using in both of my tanks.

 

I am not familiar with it. Basically I recommend using any non-aggressive carbon with Zeovit. I know Seachem Matrix works pretty well, I use it on my 7 gallon and I know many ZEOvit users using it as well.