ZEOvit / CalciumReactor / Kalkwasser / Turf Algae Filter / Remote Deep Sand Bed

ppsthlm · 12/25/2011, 03:49 PM

I´ve had a few systems with different set ups in the past, I´m planning for my next set up at the moment. My ambition is of course to create the best possible environment and conditions for the animals living in the water, which will mainly be corals - SPS and LPS - but also some fish and possibly clams and shrimps. I will be aiming for good coral growth as well as the most color possible showing in the corals.

There are so many directions to take and I would like to hear your pros and cons on the following:
ZEOvit
Calcium Reactor
Kalkwasser
Skimmer
Turf Algae Filter
Remote Deep Sand Bed
Refugium

Could all of these be combined and somehow compliment each other? Would the algae work against the ZEOvit, or possibly the other way around? Would you ever put Calcium Reactors and Kalkwasser together with in an Algae Scrubber tank?

I know there is not one correct direction to take and all the others would be wrong. But I would like to hear the pros and cons with the different systems and elements and which combos you would go for in a "dream tank" if money was not an object, but creating and maintining the best possible water for your corals was.

//ppsthlm

mrsmithers · 12/25/2011, 04:27 PM

If you are going to go the Zeovit route I would not do a ATS, Deep sand bed or Refugium. Calcium or Kalk if you are doing a lot of sps the kalk might not keep up. Skimmer... what size tank?

coralreefdoc · 12/25/2011, 08:29 PM

ZEOvit run passively w/ full supplements. B-Ionic 3 part dosing (KH, Ca, Mg). Oversized skimmer. Refugium for the purpose of an isolated microfauna/delicate species habitat.

Thats my setup/style

coralreefdoc · 12/26/2011, 01:56 AM

Also, as a general side note, remember your options/choice in equipment/nutrient control should be a direct reflection of your personal "educated" philosophy, in conjunction with your determined/desired goals for that specific system. Formulating those goals/visions will help determine for yourself which philosophies/options are
best for that specific system

ppsthlm · 12/26/2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsmithers

If you are going to go the Zeovit route I would not do a ATS, Deep sand bed or Refugium. Calcium or Kalk if you are doing a lot of sps the kalk might not keep up. Skimmer... what size tank?

The tank will be around 500 liters / 130 gallons.
Would the Zeovit suffer from an ATS or a Deep Sand Bed or would it just be unnecessary?

Quote:

Originally Posted by coralreefdoc

ZEOvit run passively w/ full supplements. B-Ionic 3 part dosing (KH, Ca, Mg). Oversized skimmer. Refugium for the purpose of an isolated microfauna/delicate species habitat.

Thats my setup/style

Quote:

Originally Posted by coralreefdoc

Also, as a general side note, remember your options/choice in equipment/nutrient control should be a direct reflection of your personal "educated" philosophy, in conjunction with your determined/desired goals for that specific system. Formulating those goals/visions will help determine for yourself which philosophies/options are
best for that specific system

Thanks for the advice. Do you have pics from your set up here or on some other forum? Link?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 12/26/2011, 12:06 PM

Folks who strive for ULNS systems like zeolite often find that macroalgae and turf algae do not grow well under very low nutrient conditions. So if you want the pastel colors associated with zeovit, you may have to not use some of those other methods.

There is no reason to not use a CaCO3/CO2 reactor on most any SPS system aside from cost. Limewater will help bring up the pH so using it too is a fine plan.

I'd use a skimmer on almost any tank, except perhaps one focussing on non photosynthetic creatures.

ppsthlm · 12/26/2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley

Folks who strive for ULNS systems like zeolite often find that macroalgae and turf algae do not grow well under very low nutrient conditions. So if you want the pastel colors associated with zeovit, you may have to not use some of those other methods.

There is no reason to not use a CaCO3/CO2 reactor on most any SPS system aside from cost. Limewater will help bring up the pH so using it too is a fine plan.

I'd use a skimmer on almost any tank, except perhaps one focussing on non photosynthetic creatures.

What if I use a Zeosystem and skip the Algae Filter, would there be any point in adding a Remote Deep Sand Bed to the system??

Randy Holmes-Farley · 12/26/2011, 05:34 PM

Not for nitrate control. Organic carbon dosing, whether zeovit or any other, does a good job on nitrate.

ppsthlm · 12/26/2011, 06:05 PM

I don't want to keep much, if any, Live Rock in the tank itself. The sandbed will be very thin as well if not fake in some way. I do however want the effect of both Live Rock and a Deep LiveSand Bed, I believe in that as a good filtration method. This is the reason why I want to keep a refugium. I want to keep a dark refugium with amchamber of LiveSand and a chamber of Live Rock. I will not be keeping any algae there however since it will be dark. But I thought maybe an alge filter could be the lighted part for the algae to grow, something I also do believe is an advantage to the overall system. Possibly adding some live food to the system through this refugium would I also consider an advantage. Or do you think the Zeovit would kill all that could possibly end up as food plus the algae growth itself so much that there would be no point to the Algae Filter? How about my theory on the Live Rock and Live Sand, you believe this is unnecessary too...?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 12/27/2011, 08:25 AM

What do you think the deep sand bed would accomplish?

ppsthlm · 12/27/2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley

What do you think the deep sand bed would accomplish?

I would use the Live Sand in the Deep Sand Bed as a part of the biological filtration in the system, just like the Live Rock. You think it´s unnecessary?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 12/27/2011, 04:24 PM

Well, if there is inadequate live rock or sand in the main tank it may be useful, but need not be deep for that purpose.

bogg · 12/31/2011, 12:40 AM

I use zeovit, ssb, ca. Rxtr, kzs skimmer, large live rock in the sump, minimal in display,
All Is well.

reefnut2012 · 01/20/2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsmithers

If you are going to go the Zeovit route I would not do a ATS, Deep sand bed or Refugium. Calcium or Kalk if you are doing a lot of sps the kalk might not keep up. Skimmer... what size tank?

Pardon the ignorance , been away for quite a number of years. What is Zeovit, ATS.

eidels · 05/02/2012, 07:28 AM

Does ULNS and over growth of Zeobak bacteria not only kill off nitrosonomas, nitrobacter, algae and macro algae but also copepod bristle worms and the other micro fauna that process solid wastes? How do Mandarin Gobies do in Zeo systems

12/25/2011, 03:49 PM	#1
ppsthlm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 59	ZEOvit / CalciumReactor / Kalkwasser / Turf Algae Filter / Remote Deep Sand Bed I´ve had a few systems with different set ups in the past, I´m planning for my next set up at the moment. My ambition is of course to create the best possible environment and conditions for the animals living in the water, which will mainly be corals - SPS and LPS - but also some fish and possibly clams and shrimps. I will be aiming for good coral growth as well as the most color possible showing in the corals. There are so many directions to take and I would like to hear your pros and cons on the following: ZEOvit Calcium Reactor Kalkwasser Skimmer Turf Algae Filter Remote Deep Sand Bed Refugium Could all of these be combined and somehow compliment each other? Would the algae work against the ZEOvit, or possibly the other way around? Would you ever put Calcium Reactors and Kalkwasser together with in an Algae Scrubber tank? I know there is not one correct direction to take and all the others would be wrong. But I would like to hear the pros and cons with the different systems and elements and which combos you would go for in a "dream tank" if money was not an object, but creating and maintining the best possible water for your corals was. //ppsthlm

12/26/2011, 12:06 PM	#6
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Folks who strive for ULNS systems like zeolite often find that macroalgae and turf algae do not grow well under very low nutrient conditions. So if you want the pastel colors associated with zeovit, you may have to not use some of those other methods. There is no reason to not use a CaCO3/CO2 reactor on most any SPS system aside from cost. Limewater will help bring up the pH so using it too is a fine plan. I'd use a skimmer on almost any tank, except perhaps one focussing on non photosynthetic creatures. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

12/26/2011, 05:34 PM	#8
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Not for nitrate control. Organic carbon dosing, whether zeovit or any other, does a good job on nitrate. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

12/27/2011, 08:25 AM	#10
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	What do you think the deep sand bed would accomplish? __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

12/27/2011, 04:24 PM	#12
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Well, if there is inadequate live rock or sand in the main tank it may be useful, but need not be deep for that purpose. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

12/25/2011, 04:27 PM	#2
mrsmithers Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: san diego CA Posts: 201	If you are going to go the Zeovit route I would not do a ATS, Deep sand bed or Refugium. Calcium or Kalk if you are doing a lot of sps the kalk might not keep up. Skimmer... what size tank?

12/25/2011, 08:29 PM	#3
coralreefdoc Moved On Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cavitation Bubble Posts: 776	ZEOvit run passively w/ full supplements. B-Ionic 3 part dosing (KH, Ca, Mg). Oversized skimmer. Refugium for the purpose of an isolated microfauna/delicate species habitat. Thats my setup/style

12/26/2011, 01:56 AM	#4
coralreefdoc Moved On Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cavitation Bubble Posts: 776	Also, as a general side note, remember your options/choice in equipment/nutrient control should be a direct reflection of your personal "educated" philosophy, in conjunction with your determined/desired goals for that specific system. Formulating those goals/visions will help determine for yourself which philosophies/options are best for that specific system

12/26/2011, 06:05 PM	#9
ppsthlm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 59	I don't want to keep much, if any, Live Rock in the tank itself. The sandbed will be very thin as well if not fake in some way. I do however want the effect of both Live Rock and a Deep LiveSand Bed, I believe in that as a good filtration method. This is the reason why I want to keep a refugium. I want to keep a dark refugium with amchamber of LiveSand and a chamber of Live Rock. I will not be keeping any algae there however since it will be dark. But I thought maybe an alge filter could be the lighted part for the algae to grow, something I also do believe is an advantage to the overall system. Possibly adding some live food to the system through this refugium would I also consider an advantage. Or do you think the Zeovit would kill all that could possibly end up as food plus the algae growth itself so much that there would be no point to the Algae Filter? How about my theory on the Live Rock and Live Sand, you believe this is unnecessary too...?

12/31/2011, 12:40 AM	#13
bogg Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,174	I use zeovit, ssb, ca. Rxtr, kzs skimmer, large live rock in the sump, minimal in display, All Is well. __________________ And God said let the water teem with living creatures and he saw that it was good. Current Tank Info: Elos 120xl, 2 planet 2's, KZs, wavy sea/Tunze

05/02/2012, 07:28 AM	#15
eidels Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Las Cruces New Mexico Posts: 66	Does ULNS and over growth of Zeobak bacteria not only kill off nitrosonomas, nitrobacter, algae and macro algae but also copepod bristle worms and the other micro fauna that process solid wastes? How do Mandarin Gobies do in Zeo systems

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