Chopin, Marie Curie or Pope John Paul II are distinguished Polish personalities. But how about our (reef) world…. Are Polish people also notable in reef husbandry?
Yes… definitely yes!
Over the last years, I have the chance to come across a few Polish tanks. Most of them had a singular characteristic – they feature coral colors from another world!
One of the reefs that clearly exemplify what I’ve just said is Krzysztof’s Reef Tank.
Krzysztof setup his 750L (200 gallon) reef about 5 years ago, in 2006. Among these years he presented regular updates and his tank was always impressive.
Display Tank – 160x80x55cm (60” x 30” x 22”)
Sump – 110x50x52 (43” x 20” x 21”)
The reef is 100% T5’s powered trough the popular (at least in Europe) ATI Powermodule 8 x 80W and plus an extra bulb. For the time being he is using 3 x KZ Fiji Purple, 3 x KZ NG, 3 x ATI Blue plus.
For filtration, in the first 4 years he was using the full Zeovit method and Korallenzucht Revolution M protein skimmer. Currently, he has changed from Zeovit to NP-Biopellets and PO4x4 remover. He told me that he was happy with Zeovit but one day decided to try NP-Biopellets because it was effortless, and because the results were similar he kept biopellets. He has also changed the KZ skimmer to a Red Skim 250 from a Polish manufacturer.
For Calcium and Alkalinity supplementation he runs “Balling Method”, similar to 2-part solution but with a third solution of NaCl free salts, via Grotec III doser.
As maintenance, he does a weekly 10% water change and replace activated carbon monthly.
In conclusion let me quote Krzysztof, with a statement he did a couple of years ago:
“Before starting zeovit method I tried various other methods and technologies and never had real trouble with keeping low level of NO3 or PO4 regardless of the way of tank running. I even tried for a year a skimmerless system with Miracle mud and Chaetomorpha in refuge. Although it worked for me I’ve decided to come back to the previous solution, i.e. with a skimmer.
Some aquarists look for a simple way to success, so they ask: How can I achieve that? Success depends upon many factors such as knowledge, patience, ability to draw right conclusions from observation, routine maintenance, keeping stable water conditions, appropriate equipment, etc. There is no magic formula for success, it needs plenty of your involvement and doesn’t occur so quickly.”
Check the video from last year when he had HUGE SPS colonies:
I know people complain about the neon coloration that results from the zeovite system but the health of this system is undeniable and I doubt anyone would be complaining if it was in their living room. That blue colony in the middle is a beast. Very impressive.
Hi Jared,
Zeovit system is very popular here in Europe. However, we have also people complaining about faded colors. But I think in the end it is a matter of balance – input/output of nutrients. If you find the correct dosage and consequently balance you’d get colors very similar to the ones found in reefs.
It’s also important to notice that in a mature system like this (with zeovit or biopellets), “wild”/”marinecultured” SPS thrive very well. They don’t need the “normal” period of adaptation to the aquarium, as I usual see in more nutrient-loaded aquariums.
Holy smokes! That is one of the most beautiful tanks I have ever seen! I’m currently setting up a new tank after a 2 year hiatus. I’m setting up a Tech 120 with starfire glass, and AI LED’s. I can’t wait.
that is one hot tank !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would hope that anyone getting rid of there t5s to jump on the LED bandwagon take a closer looking of what can be achived with t5s.
Stuning tank.