Considering zeovit or partial zeovit

[Davy Jones]

Hey guys, I currently have a tank thats been set up roughly 3-4 months, I am toying with the idea of switching over to a zeovit system. Here are my concerns however.

1. My skimmer takes up too much room to have a zeolite reactor in the sump.
2. I dont really have the greatest understanding of how it works and who should use it.
3. I can not find a reliable "zeovit for dummies" video or post explaining it for a dummy like me

I understand the basics that the zeolites remove ammonia and provide a place for the bacteria to live, which then process more nutrients for removal.

The bacteria comes from zeobak and zeostart.

The "mulm" needs to be flushed daily and this feeds the corals and gets skimmed out.

The other additives are things like amino acids, trace elements and various types of coral foods.

So for those of you who know more than me on the subject please provide some of your knowledge

 

[marvelousone]

I am no pro at it as I just started my tank on zeovit 2 months ago. I am new to it but all the tanks that I have seen in person, That run zeovit had me wanting to try it. Zeobak is the bacteria and zeostart is the carbon dosing(vinegar,vodka,sugar) for removing po4, no3. I dose sponger power and not zeofood and I think it is food for bacteria and sponges. Zeolites stone grow mulm that's feed coral and place for bacteria is what I understand. I do not know of a zeovit for dummies but zeovit forum is a very helpful place. Also KZ website has the zeovit guide. That's what I am going by as well as others on different forums. There are people that do the dosing without stones or use some of the products. I can not say Yea or Nay. I just believe it is a proving system when doing it with the 4 basic products and follow the steps. I am lucky to have someone that run zeovit for several years that I can call anytime. If you chose to do it. Like any other way of reefing. It does not happen overnight. One thing is has done to me. Is make me pay more attention to detail on what is going on in my tank. I already played with it on a daily bases but now I look at each coral looking for signs. I am learning everyday.

 

[marvelousone]

If you decide to run the zeo reactor. Put the small stones in a small mesh bag so they don't clog up your reactor. I learned that in the first month thanks to everyone on the forums running zeovit.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I understand the basics that the zeolites remove ammonia and provide a place for the bacteria to live, which then process more nutrients for removal.

I don't have any opinion on whether you should use that system or others, but their idea that ammonia binding by the zeolite provides this ammonia to the bacteria makes no sense.

The zeolites are nothing more than a convenient place for bacteria to grow. It definitely does not direct the ammonia to nearby bacteria, which I've seen some folks claim. The ammonia binding does nothing useful, unless you add it quickly and freshly (unused) to a tank with elevated ammonia.

 

[Davy Jones]

So, theoretically i should be able to start the system slowly using just the basic additives of zeobak, zeostart, zeofood and sponge power? (very slowly of course) and not use the zeolites...

I dont think i want to try the full zeovit system as i would need to buy either a different sump or buy a different skimmer in order to fit the zeolite reactor in my setup. but i would be interested in doing a partial zeovit system IF there are benefits and it will still work without the zeolites.

I don't have any opinion on whether you should use that system or others, but their idea that ammonia binding by the zeolite provides this ammonia to the bacteria makes no sense.

The zeolites are nothing more than a convenient place for bacteria to grow. It definitely does not direct the ammonia to nearby bacteria, which I've seen some folks claim. The ammonia binding does nothing useful, unless you add it quickly and freshly (unused) to a tank with elevated ammonia.

Based on this would i be able to pick up say a marinepure block and put in a high flow area of my sump for bacteria to grow? Or is that not the same?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Based on this would i be able to pick up say a marinepure block and put in a high flow area of my sump for bacteria to grow? Or is that not the same?

Not the same. The pores of a zeolite are far too small for bacteria and are not providing low O2 environments for bacteria. They just grow on the surface of the zeolites. They may form biofilms (multiple layers of bacteria)that themselves become low O2 environments on the bottom, but the MarinePure blocks specifically provide low O2 environments that bacteria can grow in.

 

[Davy Jones]

Not the same. The pores of a zeolite are far too small for bacteria and are not providing low O2 environments for bacteria. They just grow on the surface of the zeolites. They may form biofilms (multiple layers of bacteria)that themselves become low O2 environments on the bottom, but the MarinePure blocks specifically provide low O2 environments that bacteria can grow in.

Okay, so the bacteria has a different process or thrives better from growing on the surface of the zeolites and not in low 02 areas, got it.

 

[Kurkis493]

I've had Zeovit running on my tank for the last 18 months and before that I used biopellets. Zeovit is a complete system and if you don't plan to run the system then there is little reason if any to run any part of it at all. It is expensive and you can achieve the same results with other, less expensive forms of carbon dosing and color enhancers.

The zeobak is a bacteria and the zeostart is basically vinegar in a bottle. You can just dose vodka or vinegar like most people and achieve the same results as you will using Zeobak and Zeostart. You'll be promoting bacterial growth in the system with a final result of low or undetectable nitrate levels. You will more than likely still have elevated phosphate levels going this route which will require the use of GFO or Lanthanum Chloride to reduce.

While I am not deeply familiar with Aquaforest, that is the new hype here in the US since their product line is now fully available. It is similiar to Zeovit but requires a little less work and seems to be a little more streamlined. You can use all of their media in one reactor (just a normal media reactor) and they don't tell you that you need to shake-up their stones.

Biopellets is another option, you set it and let it do its thing but you will still need to deal with PO4 when all is said and done.

If you are not familiar with it, I would focus my research on "carbon dosing" because you have many, many options. You can still use products like Sponge Power or Coral Snow which are popular among many hobbyists.

The other side of Zeovit are the products that are available for helping with color enhancement. You can buy these products in many forms through various manufacturers. Zeovit's product line isn't anything special. Alot of people use Red Sea products for this and they are far less money and can get you the same results.

I drank the koolaid and went all in with the system like the hardcore Zeo-users recommend. It works, I'm happy with the results and I am glad I got to experience it. While I do not have any plans to stop using Zeovit on my current system, when I do decide to upgrade I will definately not be using Zeovit again. I will more than likely go back to biopellets / GFO.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Okay, so the bacteria has a different process or thrives better from growing on the surface of the zeolites and not in low 02 areas, got it.

It is just different. Low O2 environments are good for more nitrate reduction and less phosphate. More aerobic ennironments use nitrate and phosphate closer in proportions to what algae use and what foods provide.

So it all depends on what you want to accomplish.

 

[BkReefBaby]

Zeovit has its own forum as well I joined it cause just like you I was toying with the idea...I also don't have room in my sump for a zeovit reactor but I found out some people have hang on zeovit reactors...I ended up backing out tho best of luck

 

[Davy Jones]

I've had Zeovit running on my tank for the last 18 months and before that I used biopellets. Zeovit is a complete system and if you don't plan to run the system then there is little reason if any to run any part of it at all. It is expensive and you can achieve the same results with other, less expensive forms of carbon dosing and color enhancers.

The zeobak is a bacteria and the zeostart is basically vinegar in a bottle. You can just dose vodka or vinegar like most people and achieve the same results as you will using Zeobak and Zeostart. You'll be promoting bacterial growth in the system with a final result of low or undetectable nitrate levels. You will more than likely still have elevated phosphate levels going this route which will require the use of GFO or Lanthanum Chloride to reduce.

While I am not deeply familiar with Aquaforest, that is the new hype here in the US since their product line is now fully available. It is similiar to Zeovit but requires a little less work and seems to be a little more streamlined. You can use all of their media in one reactor (just a normal media reactor) and they don't tell you that you need to shake-up their stones.

Biopellets is another option, you set it and let it do its thing but you will still need to deal with PO4 when all is said and done.

If you are not familiar with it, I would focus my research on "carbon dosing" because you have many, many options. You can still use products like Sponge Power or Coral Snow which are popular among many hobbyists.

The other side of Zeovit are the products that are available for helping with color enhancement. You can buy these products in many forms through various manufacturers. Zeovit's product line isn't anything special. Alot of people use Red Sea products for this and they are far less money and can get you the same results.

I drank the koolaid and went all in with the system like the hardcore Zeo-users recommend. It works, I'm happy with the results and I am glad I got to experience it. While I do not have any plans to stop using Zeovit on my current system, when I do decide to upgrade I will definately not be using Zeovit again. I will more than likely go back to biopellets / GFO.

Thank you for the response. I think ill do more research into carbon dosing like you suggest and go with red sea's color program. The more i look into zeovit the less likely i can do it. i dont have the ability to dose things every single day as i am often away from home and i really dont want to rely on my girlfriend to remember which little blue bottle she need sto dose every day.