Evolution of a Zeovit System

[AlohaTropics]

Okay, lets keep the " To Zeo, or not to Zeo" discussion in the other thread. I'm gonna start documenting my trials on this thread beginning with the setup and build of the system.

First off, in order to house this system without renting out a retail location, I had to build and extension onto my house. I allocated a space approximately 38' x 14' or about 530sqft. I would have like a little more space but I just couldn't do it.

Here is a list of the equipment:

The Tanks
1 270gal. 72" x 36" x 24" Display Tank Center Column Overflow
2 100gal. 72" x 24" x 12" Frag/Grow Tanks
2 70gal. 48" x 24" x 12" Frag/Grow Tanks

The Sump
1 400gal. Chem Vat
1000lbs. Live Rock

1 BK 300 Supermarin
1 Korallin 3002 Calc Reactor
1 6L Korallen Zucht Zeolite Mag Reactor
1 Next Reef Monster Dual Reactor for Carbon
1 Reeflo Tiger Shark Pump powering the entire system

The Lighting
3 x 36" Sunbrite LED Fixtures on the main display
6 440nm bulbs
6 470nm bulbs
3 12000K bulbs
5 16000K bulbs
4 22000K bulbs

2 x 72" Sunbrite LED fixtures for 72" frag tanks
1 440nm bulb
2 470nm bulbs
2 12000K bulbs
2 16000K bulbs
1 22000K bulb

2 x 48" Sunbrite LED Fixtures for 48" frag tanks
1 440nm bulb
2 470nm bulbs
2 12000K bulbs
2 16000K bulbs
1 22000K bulb

Overall Net Watervolume: Approx. 760gal.

The Net Watervolume is smaller than I originally said in the other thread because I didn't recalculate for the lack of the 200gal. refugium, the rock & sand displacement, the 2" water level difference between the glass height and actual water level, and the 1/2" glass thickness difference on the main display tank. So all together, I'd say my system is 1000gal. Gross and 750gal. Net.

With the flow, most of the flow will probably come with the main pump but I also have many many 1600gph and 3200gph koralia pumps. I would have like to use Tunze Stream pumps but the cost of this system started to go way over budget so I cut some corners here and there.

Okay, so here are some pics from the system build:

Pics of the extension and space

The Water

Two 250gal. Tanks for RO/DI and Mixed Water

The RO/DI Unit

The Salt Mix is chose to use was Formula 2 Get Tanked Handmixed Salts. The levels are as close to sea water as I found and the calcium is packaged separately in the bag and only mixed when ready to use so the ph/alk doesn't get affected.

The Climate Control is done by an Amcor 12000 BTU Heating/Cooling/Humidity control split system

The Sunbrite Fixtures w/ built in Digital Timer controllers for each bulb. If anyone is interested in upgrading to these, PM me!

The Live Rock Sump

The Main Pump and the BK Pumps

The KZ 6L Magnetic Reactor & Zeolites

The NextReef MR1 Monster & Activated Carbon

The Korallin 3002 CaCO2 Reactor

The ZEOvit Supplements

Fragging Stuff

The Substrate

Unfortunately, I don't have a pic of the BK yet because it arrive broken the first time so I sent it back. I will have pics of the tanks up next week. There is definitely a lot work to be done, but I'm pretty sure I'll have the system up and running in about two weeks. Keep you all posted!

 

[AlohaTropics]

Sorry, I'll try to resize the pics from here on.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

congrats and feel really excited to see the report cards.
tell me(us) more about how you like the Gettanked stuff.

 

[AlohaTropics]

Hi Wingo,

Somebody recommended the Get Tanked Salts so I'm just giving them a try. I may just switch over to the Reefers Best KZ Salt though, because the price difference isn't that great.

 

[Simon Garratt]

Looking forward to this. Its rare that you come across a fully documented Zeo system right from day one...

all the best, and keep us updated.


Regards

Simon.

 

[NYreefNoob]

salt wise i always liked the red sea coral pro was on the money on levels except of alk it was always low, but mag and cal was always good

 

[juiceguy]

congrats on the build, looking forward to watch this puppy grow. i am curious, do you plan on using the zeolites from the start-up of the system? from what i understand about zeo is it strips the system of ammonia so the tank never gets to produce nitrate so in effect there is no nitrifying bacteria?

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Hi Wingo,

Somebody recommended the Get Tanked Salts so I'm just giving them a try. I may just switch over to the Reefers Best KZ Salt though, because the price difference isn't that great.

I had FREE samples of his stuff and they seems good.
But some of his chemicals seem a little too potent and have to be very careful in using them.

 

[AlohaTropics]

Yeah, Gary makes good Salt but I'm just thinking, since KZ doesn't disclose their ingredients or all of them, maybe it would be wise to stick with their salt that they use on their own zeovit systems. Who knows what extra ingredients are in there that help satisfy the system.

In respect to the zeolites during startup, I'm pretty much going to follow the 14 day New Tank Cycle they have on the KZ Website. The people on the zeovit forums said thats the best way to go. I've already begun to cycle my live rock so I should have a good culture of Nitrifying bacteria already when i put the zeolites in. I'm guessing that the bacterial culture in the tank will eventually adjust itself and should be in equalibrium as time progresses. We'll see what happens. I will ask the zeovit forums what the deal is with nitrifying bacteria in a zeo tank, just to see what responses I get.

 

[juiceguy]

sounds like there is a fine line on stocking zeo systems because i guess the more of a bio-load you put on the system, the more zeolites needed to compensate. as for salt, i have tried the reefers best and each batch has been inconsistent, i find the D&D h20 to be more stable from each batch.

 

[NYreefNoob]

d&d is the best salt i have used on level, very consistant, but over priced for what little additives it takes to equal levels out, was 450 on cal, alk 9 mag 1300, ive tried most salts, aloha shoot me a pm on salts i got something you may want to consider using also

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Where did you get the sunbrite led's from ? Are they 1st generation or 2nd generation ?

 

[sjsoto]

i cant believe your wife is letting you do all this...lol...
i have a 50gal and complains everyday....lol...
keep us updated, look foward to more pics...

 

[AlohaTropics]

I'm an authorized Retailer. I will have all of the Gen2 Aluminum bulbs in about 10 days. I will also have the new SPS UV bulb as well.

 

[AlohaTropics]

Yeah, there was some serious deals that had to be made for this one to fly past her. I had to promise trips to Hawaii every year!! Geez, :*( $$$

 

[sjsoto]

Yeah, there was some serious deals that had to be made for this one to fly past her. I had to promise trips to Hawaii every year!! Geez, :*( $$$

promised mine tax return for the rest of my life and christmas bonus 1 year... lmao...

 

[Galantra]

looking forward to details since I will be setting up just about the same system soon.

Question, starting out since you are using a 6L reactor will that be enough for your water volume? Also what led you to use that sand with the system?or no preference really?

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

I'm an authorized Retailer. I will have all of the Gen2 Aluminum bulbs in about 10 days. I will also have the new SPS UV bulb as well.

Nice..:splitspin... do you have more info on them ? Where are you located ? Do you have pricing ?

 

[AlohaTropics]

Hi Galantra,

Yes, the ZEOvit guide calls for 1L per 100gal. of net water but it strongly cautions not to exceed this amount because it can become detrimental to the corals. The 6L is the largest that KZ makes unless you want a custom made one. With the amount of $$$ I've dropped already, my wife would probably make me permanently sleep in the aquarium room if I did that. I figured going a little conservative is not that bad, I'll be running 1L per 125gal.

The sand i chose was really for asthetics. I had to chose something that was not live. I wanted to go with aragonite and crushed coral but I personally prefer the look of fine sand. The zeo system is great at keeping your sand nice and white too!

PM me if you have any questions or need any KZ products!

 

[AlohaTropics]

So, I've decided to make another change in my system. After a few conversations, I found out that Live Rock makes a good contribution to denitrifying waste that builds up. But because the Zeo system will eventually reach an Ultra Low Nutrient level, the quantity of live rock needed is drastically less than traditional systems of 1-2lbs. per gallon. I decided to model my system after the Korallen Zucht Frag Laboratories System and use a 50 gallon sump instead of my 400 gallon Chem Vat Monster. This will actually lower my water volume by quite a lot. My new Net Volume will be Approximately 500 gallons...wow, thats half the size I was anticipating but I'm still working with all of the same tank volumes. I'm stoked!

Heres a link to the KZ Facilities in Germany. This system is amazing. No overflows!

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6922