Pro-biotic reefing

[Mike]

Thought we could get into a discussion on Pro-biotic reefing. In the past we all tried to keep the water pretty sterile. That was what we read and what everyone was doing. Now it seems that Pro-biotic reefing (the addition of bacteria and daily carbon dosing) is just as effective as using Ozone, UV, Ect.

I am currently using the Brightwell system (I use the NeoMarine salt as well) and so far have been pleased. I used the Zeovit system in the past but it was too cost prohibitive on my large tank and really difficult to keep up with the dosing. The BW system is much more affordable and easier to maintain for me.

[speedstar]

Is there a magic single add to use from them if you want to dose vodka still and not use there whole system. I'm ignorant on this and have never researched there method so be gentle if i'm way off base in my thinking.

[Mike]

Most people use the Microbacter7 and a carbon source. You do not have to use the stones.

[stunreefer]

I've used ZEOvit, Fauna Marin Ultralith (almost identical to ZEO), a VSV type concoction and Prodibio. I've been most happy with Prodibio as it's cost effective and doesn't require as much dosing as the others, yet IME has been just as effective as the others. Brightwell is newer and I've never tried it, but all in all they're all nearly identical in components.

I will say that the "newer" ZEOvit supplements are much weaker than the original (when they came to US) bacteria and carbon sources. They're more diluted, which = you must use more, which = they make more $ (and you spend more ).

With Prodibio I dose one vial of bacteria every other week after my water change (which I do weekly), and one vial of carbon source every week. No other additions or dosing of anything.

[Mike]

When I ran the denitrator (another form of Pro-biotics) it was so efficent that I had to take it off!!! I could not add enough food to the tank. I kept it in case of emergency though!!! That thing sucks nitrate in.

[schminksbro]

I am dosing MB7, vodka, lugols, and aminos. I am also running the stones. I love the results.

[stunreefer]

Yeah, an ATO should def help with that, but we might come up with something else to keep it perfectly stable... I'll roll out here soon enough (less snow maybe, UGH!) - need to see the tank anyways bro!

You can dose the whole vial. There was some talk on another forum (don't remember where, RC maybe?) where Prodibio noted you could stick the vial in a Potato (just to keep upright) in the fridge and save it for "X" amount of days (a week I think). Check that Prodibio thread I linked you in a PM...

Dose into a high flow area in your display. I don't turn the skimmer off, but I wouldn't recommend dosing right in fornt of it... it will either kill the head or skim it out!

[stunreefer]

Chris, if your skimmer isn't doing much I wouldn't be dosing any carbon bac/source. As Andy mentioned an effiecient protein skimmer is crucial to any of these systems. I think growing some macroalgae to suck up nutrients would be a better route in the absence of a skimmer.

Rob, if your levels are sittin' pretty I would mess with anything. I've honestly backed down almost completely on Prodibio after switching everything over to the big tank... even though I feed a lot I just don't have a big bioload. I use and like probiotic methods so I can feed the **** outta fish and not worry about excess nutrients, but right now my bioload is quite low. Keep up on your water changes as normal. I don't change anything in my routine, just make sure the ksimmer is working properly, if not it's counter-productive. The point of a probiotic system is to introduce certain bacteria and carbon source(s) to feed on PO4 and NO3, then skim it all out (with some being consumed by corals). If your not efficiently skimming it out, your polluting your tank.

[ReeferRob]

Chris, if your skimmer isn't doing much I wouldn't be dosing any carbon bac/source. As Andy mentioned an effiecient protein skimmer is crucial to any of these systems. I think growing some macroalgae to suck up nutrients would be a better route in the absence of a skimmer.

Rob, if your levels are sittin' pretty I would mess with anything. I've honestly backed down almost completely on Prodibio after switching everything over to the big tank... even though I feed a lot I just don't have a big bioload. I use and like probiotic methods so I can feed the **** outta fish and not worry about excess nutrients, but right now my bioload is quite low. Keep up on your water changes as normal. I don't change anything in my routine, just make sure the ksimmer is working properly, if not it's counter-productive. The point of a probiotic system is to introduce certain bacteria and carbon source(s) to feed on PO4 and NO3, then skim it all out (with some being consumed by corals). If your not efficiently skimming it out, your polluting your tank.

I do feed like crazy and want to increase the bioload here very very soon.

Params are great, but I do have little tufts of hair algae in the most random places. In fact their are a few bundles that blow around on the sand like tumble weeds in the old west!!
My glass needs to be cleaned almost twice a day too. Would like to cut down on this too.

by the way the skimmer is banging better than ever now that evap is better controlled with the Tunze Osmolator!1

[ReeferRob]

Austin

I know I asked you this once before, but don't remember. Do you think it would be okay or not worth it to split the dose half and half with the DT and the grow out tank? Or should I just go full vial on both?