Question of AF zeomix

Abhishek · Aug 17, 2016

Hi ,

Planning to start my next tank on AF with the prodibiotic salt , NP pro and Pro bio S along with zeomix , phos minus and carbon .

Now , it has been said that we can combine all of zeomix , carbon and then phos minus in one reactor .

Few questions :-

1. Do they need to be kept in certain order ? Zeomix -carbon - phos minus ?

2. Should be be used in same quantity ? If so how much is the general rule ?

3. How often should we change all of the media? Am guessing we have to change all the media since they are packed together .

Please let me know your thoughts.

Regards,
ABHISHEK

Anirban · Aug 17, 2016

Let get you someone who actually did this...
@Debora Dlugopolska

As far the media change I do it after every 6 weeks but it depends on your tank needs.

Perry · Aug 18, 2016

Abhishek said:
Hi ,

Planning to start my next tank on AF with the prodibiotic salt , NP pro and Pro bio S along with zeomix , phos minus and carbon .

Now , it has been said that we can combine all of zeomix , carbon and then phos minus in one reactor .

Few questions :-

1. Do they need to be kept in certain order ? Zeomix -carbon - phos minus ? Yes, in this order. On bottom of reactor place Zeomix, then place AF Carbon, then place AF Phosphate Minus. Some like myself, separate AF Carbon and Phosphate Minus with a media sponge.

2. Should be be used in same quantity ? If so how much is the general rule ? I personally use on 120 gallon, 2.5 cups of Zeomix, 1.5 cups of AF Carbon, and 1 cup of AF Phosphate Minus. Each tank presents it's own general rule, if you will. Based on coral and fish cast, nutrient processing efficiency(skimmer) and feeding habits. Some stack equal amounts of media, I personally do not.

3. How often should we change all of the media? Am guessing we have to change all the media since they are packed together . Correct in thinking, all the medias are to be changed at the same time, I do so on the 3rd day of every month, some extend the media to 6 weeks.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Regards,
ABHISHEK

Abhishek · Aug 18, 2016

Thank you @Anirban and @Perry for the replies..

@Perry - The guide calls for 100 ml of carbon and phos minus for every 27 gal and 100-500 ml of Zeomix for every 27 gal of salt water.
Seems like you are using less than recommended ?

How much do you think I should start with for 70 gallon of net water volume ?

Regards,
Abhishek

Perry · Aug 19, 2016

Hello, since running the system, yes I started with lower values, and so far no real reason to adjust, as colors are nice, and nutrients are low, but not too low. This is how I prefer

2.5 NO3 and 0.00-0.04 PO4 Based on my values, somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.5 cups Zeo Mix, 1 cup AF Carbon, and .75 cup AF Phosphate Minus. These are lower values, so you could increase as you desire based on testing and appearance of corals

Abhishek · Aug 19, 2016

Thanks @Perry for the suggestion.

Do you use any specific reactor or just about any reactor big enough to hold the media ?
In addition to zeomix , do you use siporax or marine pure blocks for additional surface areas ?

Sorry to keep piling questions as I want to be cautious with bacterial dosing .. Have burnt my hands in the past .

Regards,
ABHISHEK

G8trBait16 · Aug 19, 2016

I use a Dual BRS reactor. first one holds the Phosphate Minus and the second one holds the Zeo mix and carbon. Also I have 1- 4" block and 1 - 1" block of the marine pure.

Abhishek · Aug 20, 2016

Thanks @G8trBait16 for the reply ...
Have you experienced clogging issue with the phosminus in BRS reactor ?

FDAWG · Aug 20, 2016

I've experienced clogging using BRS dual reactors and from now on I'm using independent reactor with individual valves for more precise control in media tumbling.

Perry · Aug 21, 2016

I agree, they are not as efficient of reactors

Abhishek · Aug 21, 2016

Thanks guys for the reply ..

Any suggestion of reactors for using zeomix , phosminus and carbon together ?

Regards,
ABHISHEK

Perry · Aug 21, 2016

I had a vertex 1.5 liter zeolite reactor lying around that works perfectly for this application, I love not removing the reactor, only the media basket during media exchanges, fwiw...

mwilk19 · Aug 21, 2016

Perry said:
I had a vertex 1.5 liter zeolite reactor lying around that works perfectly for this application, I love not removing the reactor, only the media basket during media exchanges, fwiw...

Perry, what kind of pump are you using with the reactor?

Perry · Aug 21, 2016

It has a standard eheim pump included with the reactor, not sure model number, but the one standard. Cheers

mwilk19 · Aug 21, 2016

Perry said:
It has a standard eheim pump included with the reactor, not sure model number, but the one standard. Cheers

Thank you.

Wolff92 · Aug 21, 2016

Can you use a regular phosban reactor or does it need to be a zeolite reactor? And if not do I have to shake the reactor to rid the mulm?

Perry · Aug 22, 2016

Abhishek said:
Thanks @Perry for the suggestion.

Do you use any specific reactor or just about any reactor big enough to hold the media ?
In addition to zeomix , do you use siporax or marine pure blocks for additional surface areas ?

Sorry to keep piling questions as I want to be cautious with bacterial dosing .. Have burnt my hands in the past .

Regards,
ABHISHEK

Zeo reactor, Vertex 1.5 liter. I also use 4 liters of matrix, passive on floor of middle chamber in sump. I also use 2 liters of siporax in a reactor with slow flow. Yes this allows for more surface area to grow bacteria levels. You would maintain ULNS by using Pro Bio S(bacteria) and NP Pro(carbon source) to fuel the bacteria. This is a daily application. Cheers

Perry · Aug 22, 2016

Wolff92 said:
Can you use a regular phosban reactor or does it need to be a zeolite reactor? And if not do I have to shake the reactor to rid the mulm?

Any reactor will work just fine, and yes 2LF will work perfectly. I just happen to like being able to exchange media without the headache of removing the entire reactor. I don't even have to turn pump off this way, and no, the reactor would have other medias and cause a mess to disturb, AF Zeo Mix does not require shaking zeolites. Cheers

G8trBait16 · Aug 22, 2016

Abhishek said:
Thanks @G8trBait16 for the reply ...
Have you experienced clogging issue with the phosminus in BRS reactor ?

Yes It does clog after about 3-4 weeks of running. So when it happens I just change it out the media. My next purchase is a new reactor set up anyways.

eg8r210 · Aug 22, 2016

Perry said:
Any reactor will work just fine, and yes 2LF will work perfectly. I just happen to like being able to exchange media without the headache of removing the entire reactor. I don't even have to turn pump off this way, and no, the reactor would have other medias and cause a mess to disturb, AF Zeo Mix does not require shaking zeolites. Cheers

There you go making me jealous again. Not only do you have an amazing setup with gorgeous corals but you also have a freaking reactor that doesn't have to be taken offline to swap media?