what do i need, and how much is it?

[wozza]

Hi guys, just read the sticky it sounds interesting.

what do i need to buy in order to get this running?

from what i can see all i need for a basic set up is:

Zeo reactor.
Pump for Zeo reactor.
media for Zeo reacor.
little glass vials of bacteria.

now what vials do i need/want??????

im new to this method so any and all advise welcome. :thanks:

james

[KeithM]

you should decide which system you want to use:

Prodibio
Zeovit
Ultralith

[Ducati916]

I have recently started with the FM range, i have the large Grotec reactor £220 but they do a smaller one for about £180, im using Lithe in the reactor which is about £12 a ltr, im dosing Min-s and Bak at about £16 a bottle.

you can get away without the reactor to start with and put the lithe in filter bags or a basket in your sump..

cheers

[Reef Encounters]

As Keith says there are a number VLNS to choose from and as such have a variety of different 'add ons' so to speak. We use, and as a result, advocate the Fauna Marin Ultra lith system which is a slightly more simple version of the full Zeovit.
The ultra lith system can be broken into three sub systems.

1- simple addition of bak and min s dosed daily.
2- half system as above but with the addtion of ultralith (marinezeolites) placed in a filter bag in the sump or main tank.
3- full system, reactor (grotech,i-aquatics, diy) filled with ultralith pumped daily with the addtion of the bak,min s, and bio.

reef encounters

[wozza]

thanks for the help,

ok so i havent got to have all the hardware i can simply dose the tank daily with this stuff.

can some one explain the differences between:
Prodibio
Zeovit
Ultralith

cheers james :)

[Reef Encounters]

We can't comment on prodbio as we have little (other than anecdotal) experience with it.

it would appear on the face of it they are all very similar, I would suggest that Zeovit has more 'tweaking' ability to it than fauna, although different camps would argue for and against that as both a pro and a con!!.

i know that trythechi (simon) and keithman (keith) both use the zeovit and that both are pretty knowledgable so maybe they can chip in.

Again our main experience is with the FM system which we have been very impressed with, not only with the regards to the coral response but their specialised fending system for dendros,clam etc.
Our display tank runs on the full fauna system, and we have been very happy with the results.

[jez]

Hi
James PM me and I will add you to the next trial packs we send out see offer at the top of page

regards Jez

[Stevielad]

A reactor is very easy to DIY - I've just converted an old schuran skimmer and it works great :) I can even use the venturi tube to dose the bacs/zeofood directly to the media.

If you are contemplating the zeovit route then Zeovit forum is worth a visit - and you can download the zeovit guide for a read up on the method.

As far as cost goes - there is a thread with estimated costs further down this forum. Prodibio would be cheapest and may be all you need to reduce nitrates/phos and keep nuisance algae down. The other routes aim to reduce nutrient levels even further (so enhancing coral colours esp. SPS) and because of this have a wide variety of food supplements for corals (which the corals need as they shed their zooanthelae). FM is probably more geared to the mixed reef and Zeo to SPS.