Sps tanks and M. MUD and Zeovit

[Acronuts1]

I am considering adding a refugium to my exsisting 180g mostly sps. I have great color and growth and would be adding it for the other benefits like, nitrates and phosphate removal, live food source for corals and fish.
If any of you gals and guys out there using any MM or Zeovit, PLEASE chime in!

My questions are as follows:

1. Both systems seem to be basically the same. Has anyone changed from one to the other? If so why and did you like the change?

2. Did anyone experience a crash/ wipeout when they added the refugium?

3. Can either of these products be added to a sump that was not a purchased sump from the makers of the MM or ZV? If I can how much product do I use?

4. Does anyone run a powerhead for circulation inside the sump?

5. What kind of lights are you all running? Are you running it 24/7

6. Anyone having alk problems?

7. Anyone running a ca/reactor with the refugium and still having alk issues?

8. Is anyone still using additives like cyclopeeze, brightwells zoo-plankton, etc.?

Currently I am running Berlin style with ca/reactor and a phosphate reactor. I use carbon about three weeks after a WC, for 1 week (4th wk), then I do my 35g WC.
:?:

 

[Ben1]

I didn't think these systems were really related. The zeo method is bacterial driven, closer relating to prodibio, V/S/V ect... Zeo does work, but IME takes some dedication. You have to remember to stir/pump the reactor, dose the additives etc.. As you stir the reactor the mulm that comes out mostly bacteria is supposed to help feed the corals. I ran Zeo for a bit and found it expensive and I hated all the dosing. Their sponge power really worked and the system in general did do what it was supposed to. I ran Prodibio also and found that a more simple way to have a bacterial driven system, that was also less expensive than Zeo. I just ordered the NP Biopellets and am going to give them a shot, they have been tooted as the dry vodka method.

My understanding of the miracle mud system was it had iron and such in the mud that helped the macros grow faster, and was more of a algae harvest based system then a bacterial based system. I never ran MM though.

3. Can either of these products be added to a sump that was not a purchased sump from the makers of the MM or ZV? If I can how much product do I use?

With Zeo you use a zeo reactor for the zeolites, the reactor usually have a pump to cycle water through, and a handle on top that you pump to stir the stones and release the mulm. The problem with Zeo is it strips the water so clean the Acros will not have enough nutrient in the water, so you need to pump the reactor to feed them. They also sell additives to supplement this. There are also automatic stirring reactors, but they get much more expensive than the ones you just pump.

More info on zeo and zeo dedicated forums can be found here,

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10354

HTH

 

[Acronuts1]

Wow! Thanks Ben! You know they all make it look so easy but its sounds much more complicated and that is exactly what I don't want. I will check out the thread you placed here and I would love to know how things are coming along with your proposed venture.

I didn't think these systems were really related. The zeo method is bacterial driven, closer relating to prodibio, V/S/V ect... Zeo does work, but IME takes some dedication. You have to remember to stir/pump the reactor, dose the additives etc.. As you stir the reactor the mulm that comes out mostly bacteria is supposed to help feed the corals. I ran Zeo for a bit and found it expensive and I hated all the dosing. Their sponge power really worked and the system in general did do what it was supposed to. I ran Prodibio also and found that a more simple way to have a bacterial driven system, that was also less expensive than Zeo. I just ordered the NP Biopellets and am going to give them a shot, they have been tooted as the dry vodka method.

My understanding of the miracle mud system was it had iron and such in the mud that helped the macros grow faster, and was more of a algae harvest based system then a bacterial based system. I never ran MM though.

3. Can either of these products be added to a sump that was not a purchased sump from the makers of the MM or ZV? If I can how much product do I use?

With Zeo you use a zeo reactor for the zeolites, the reactor usually have a pump to cycle water through, and a handle on top that you pump to stir the stones and release the mulm. The problem with Zeo is it strips the water so clean the Acros will not have enough nutrient in the water, so you need to pump the reactor to feed them. They also sell additives to supplement this. There are also automatic stirring reactors, but they get much more expensive than the ones you just pump.

More info on zeo and zeo dedicated forums can be found here,

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10354

HTH

 

[Ben1]

Lol Thanks atleast someone is looking at that thread, I am assuming you mean my nano cube. FWIW Warnermarine just came out with a new version of NP Biopellets that are supposed to be 0 filler and completely polymer based. They require less flow through then the NP Biopellets and dont need and shaking or stirring. I think they will be released to the US market soon and should be a nice alternate way to lower nitrate and phosphate with minimal work. They are cheaper then the Biopellets also.

 

[Acronuts1]

Sounds good.
I will continue my research and browse around the zeovit forum.
Thanks
Ben!

Lol Thanks atleast someone is looking at that thread, I am assuming you mean my nano cube. FWIW Warnermarine just came out with a new version of NP Biopellets that are supposed to be 0 filler and completely polymer based. They require less flow through then the NP Biopellets and dont need and shaking or stirring. I think they will be released to the US market soon and should be a nice alternate way to lower nitrate and phosphate with minimal work. They are cheaper then the Biopellets also.