Ultralith start

[kekkuli]

Ok,

I have a 700l reef, net volume about 600l and now I'm going to start the Ultralith Method. I have read the Ultralith manual many times but I'd like to have dosing recommendations from experienced users for my system. Tank is about 3 months old and water parameters are:

- Salinity 34,0 PSU
- Redox 400
- Kh 3,43 meq/l
- Ca 400
- Ph 8,4
- Temp 25-27 celsius
- Phosphates 0
- Nirate 0

- 0,5l ROWAphos in Deltec FR509 fluidized reactor
- 0,5l ROWAcarbon filterbag in sump
- 1,0l Seachem denitrate in sump

What are the correct dosing recommendations of Ultralith, UltraMin S, Ultrabak and UltraBio?

Should I remove ROWAphos, ROWAcarbon and Denitrate from the system prior to the start of Ultralith system? If so why?

I have two Deltec FR509 fluidized reactors to run the Ultralith zeolites or is it better to use one reactor instead?

I have the following Faunamarin products:

Ultralith 4l
UltraMin S 250ml
Ultrabak 250ml
Ultrabio 50ml
Ultra Amin 250ml
Ultra Carb L 2500ml
UltratraceB 1-3 500ml

I use balling method for Kh, Ca and Mg



Any advise and help is appreciated!

[ReefRockerLive]

Hi, before even dosing any parts of the UltraLith system, please remove the RowaPhos and the SeaChem denitrate since these are not recommended for the system. It wouldn't be a problem to have two reactors for the UltraLith media as long as you don't mind having to shake them at least 3 times a week to clean the stones. I recommend investing in one of the UltraLith reactors to make this easier for you, this can be either the standard or Zeomatic (Automatic) reactor.

I'd recommend dosing the following for the first month:

UltraLith - .8 liters or 800 grams (300 lph going through the reactor)
UltraBio - 3 drops daily into the UltraLith reactor
UltraBak - 1.6ml daily into either the display or sump
UltraMin S - Same as UltraBak dosage.

*Dosages above should be doubled at the end of the first month.

UltraCarb L - 0.4 liters replaced every 3-4 weeks

HTH

[kekkuli]

I've been running the system for 6 weeks now.

I currently have 1,5 liters of ultralith passively right after fluidized reactor where I run 0,4 liters of UltraCarb L. 400 liters per hour going through the reactor.

UltraBio - 6 drops to the ultralith media filter sock
UltraBak - 1,0ml, (decreased dosing from 1.6ml)
UltraminS - 1,0ml (decreased dosing from 1.6ml)

Phosphates 0
Nitrate 0
Kh 3,6 meq/l
Mg 1500
Ca 440
Ph 7,8-8,2

I'm using balling for Kh, Ca and Mg. Ultra Trace B is also used in these solutions. Also some kalkwasser.

SPS colors are quite light, maybe overall little brownish.

I need advise what to do next. Should I start using UltraAMIN, Ultra Organic, Power Trace 1-4? The tank has mainly SPS corals, some LPS. No softies.

[AQD_ottawa]

I would suggest Amin for sure to really give the SPS a real amino acid boost for growth

For the tace elements you have two options, Organic is a very effective in giving the corals that real colour pop, but for more independant control then edge towards the power trace.

[Moser]

Do you always wash the stones for a week in RO before using or give them a quick rinse and get on with it....

Mo

[AQD_ottawa]

They do not have to be washed.

;)

[kekkuli]

So do I need to change the dosing amounts of Ultrabio, UltraBAK or UltraMIN S after initial startup? The dosing recommendations in the manual and instructions given in this forum differ quite a bit.

During these first 6 weeks I haven't noticed any overdosing signs of UltraMIN S as described in the manual "A clear signal for overdosing is a whitish or greenish film, similar to diatoms."

Should I decrease amount of UltraBAK and UltraMIN S as low as 0,5ml per day?

And what about Ultrabio in the long run?

I started using Ultra Amin 5ml/day.

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi

If your nutrience are all fine then you can decrease the the bak down, but keep the MinS up

Your Amin is about right too

Please send us your paremeters and also any photos.