my house reef (211 g.) - Page 16

Travis · #**376** 01/28/2006, 05:56 PM

And the prices really aren't that bad either. But I wonder what the shipping costs to the US would end up running.

jnarowe · #**377** 01/28/2006, 06:41 PM

they may not be able to ship it to the US because it is bacteria. It may be restricted.

TryTheChi · #**378** 01/28/2006, 08:02 PM

To find out shipping to US: Register - select what you want, and follow through to the shipping section which will tell you the costs - you can always pull back from that point

Lights Are Bright · #**379** 01/28/2006, 08:42 PM

which ones do you need? Theres so many of them.

Floridiot · #**380** 01/28/2006, 10:47 PM

I broke down and placed an order for some Prodibio. Iwan and TryTheChi got me suckered into believing this stuff works, and it really isn't too expensive for snake oil. I ordered a 30 pack of Bioptim, a 30 pack of BioDigest, and two 30 packs of ReefBooster. The total with shipping came to 97 Euros (about $125 US). This quantity should last me for over a year.

I will try it out and let everyone know how well it is working on my system. My system is only 3 months old, and only has about 15 or so frags. I currently have a hairy crab I need to remove before I add any more frags. I don't want to hijack Iwan's thread any longer, but I will post updates on my thread regarding the Prodibio snake oil when they're available over in the SPS forum.

I don't want to be the only sucker here, so feel free to join me in the Prodibio challenge!

jnarowe · #**381** 01/28/2006, 11:25 PM

I got rid of my hairy crab by over-heating the tank

He came to the surface to cool off. I took a fondue fork and tried to coax him out of his rock, and he grabbed the fork and wouldn't let go. My wife's eyes got big as saucers. She asked, "how big is that thing?" as I tried to get my fork back.

After about 15 minutes of struggling with it, I put his rock with my fork, in a FW bucket and he refused to come out. So I left it over-night.

The End.

Travis · #**382** 01/29/2006, 01:15 AM

Floridiot, glad to hear someone in the US is going to give it a try. That shipping is kinda high, so I guess if a person orders this stuff they might as well get stocked up for a while. I am contemplating giving this stuff a try. Or I may also try the full blown ZEO system. I think Iwan has clearly demonstrated that the Prodibio bacteria is not a snake oil. I am very interested to see how it does in your tank. Please post a link to the thread here when you start it.

TryTheChi · #**383** 01/29/2006, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Floridiot
I broke down and placed an order for some Prodibio.

I don't want to be the only sucker here, so feel free to join me in the Prodibio challenge!

Good decision mate - I'm sure you will be as pleased as I am. If for what ever reason you arnt - I'll buy it off you.

What are your tank params?

I too dont want to hijack Iwans thread - so please let us know by PM if you are unhappy with this discussion Iwan.

Cheers

Simon

TryTheChi · #**384** 01/29/2006, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Travis
I am contemplating giving this stuff a try. Or I may also try the full blown ZEO system.

Personally I think the probiotic approach is the way to go for reef keeping either Prodibio or Zeo basic 4. Comparing the two however, Prodi is cheaper and easier to administer, and comparing Iwans reef with a Zeo TOTQ - I would be delighted with either.

Of course Iwan uses 1 of the Zeo basic 4 - Start 2 - which is is a daily carbon sourse for Prodidigest, plus Zeo CV, AAHC and PIF.

Everything is now ousing vitality in my tank now, even the sea apple. The 2 things that has declined is the chateo in the refugium, which is going grey and dying - I guess that NO3 and PO4 are so deeply low that the chateo is starving, the other is an orange tree sponge, although the yellow and blue sponges are fine. This algae decline also been reported by Zeo users who ran an algae based refugium along side the Zeo basic 4.

I guess I'll have to put some LR in to shelter the critters, and turn it into a frag grow out area.

Thanks again for the inspiration Iwan

Lights Are Bright · #**385** 01/29/2006, 03:13 AM

Iwan or Try the Chi...

Which kinds of Prodibio do you use?

TryTheChi · #**386** 01/29/2006, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Floridiot
I ordered a 30 pack of Bioptim, a 30 pack of BioDigest, and two 30 packs of ReefBooster.

What water volume is your tank mate? - If its 100usg or 400ltrs I think you may need another 30 bioptim as dosing is 1 ampule per 200 ltrs.

Its easy to change - email them to cancel the order saying you want more and then reorder the correct amount - will save you the additional shipping costs in 6 months time.

TryTheChi · #**387** 01/29/2006, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lights Are Bright
Iwan or Try the Chi...

Which kinds of Prodibio do you use?

I use Biod disgest, Bio trace and reef booster - Iwan uses bioTPIM in stead of bio trace. I only use Bio trace innstead of bio tpim because thats what they had in stock when I ordered.

iwan · #**388** 01/29/2006, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lights Are Bright
Iwan or Try the Chi...

Which kinds of Prodibio do you use?

I use:

BIOPTIM (carbon source and some trace elements)
BIODIGEST ( selected bacs)
REEFBOOSTER ( amino acid, vitamines..)

I dose Biomptim and BioDigest every 14 days (1 ampoule per 400-500 lt ) and ReefBooster weekly 1 ampoule per 400-500lt.

Quote:

I don't want to hijack Iwan's thread any longer, but I will post updates on my thread regarding the Prodibio snake oil when they're available over in the SPS forum.

Please feel you free to post your experience with Prodibio in this thread.

Quote:

too dont want to hijack Iwans thread - so please let us know by PM if you are unhappy with this discussion Iwan.

Quite the reverse:
I am pleased with the positive reports.
Unfortunately, I am professionally very busily and often abroad busy at the moment so that I can play a part no longer so actively here.

Floridiot · #**389** 01/29/2006, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TryTheChi
What water volume is your tank mate? - If its 100usg or 400ltrs I think you may need another 30 bioptim as dosing is 1 ampule per 200 ltrs.

Its easy to change - email them to cancel the order saying you want more and then reorder the correct amount - will save you the additional shipping costs in 6 months time.

My total tank volume is about 190 Us gallons (720 Liters). The Prodibio Website did not mention any dosing schedule for Bioptim (page under construction), so I guessed it was the same dosing as BioDigest. I guess I need to buy 3 more Bioptim 30 packs?

Floridiot · #**390** 01/29/2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TryTheChi
What are your tank params?

Nitrates and phosphates are both undetectable using Seachem test kits. I haven't spent the money on a Deltec test kit or a colorimeter yet to know what my real phosphte reading is.

I do have chaeto in my sump and it does grow. I harvest about a softball size clump out every month.

TryTheChi · #**391** 01/29/2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Floridiot
My total tank volume is about 190 Us gallons (720 Liters). The Prodibio Website did not mention any dosing schedule for Bioptim (page under construction), so I guessed it was the same dosing as BioDigest. I guess I need to buy 3 more Bioptim 30 packs?

If biotpm is the same dosage rate as bio trace - then the recomendation is 1 ampule per 200ltrs per fortnight - I would shoot for 3 ampules rather than 4 as I underdose the biotrace by 20% and all seems fine, particlularly when net volumes are considered. Iwan will have the definative answer on dosage rates of ptim.

Simon

TryTheChi · #**392** 01/29/2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Floridiot
Nitrates and phosphates are both undetectable using Seachem test kits. I haven't spent the money on a Deltec test kit or a colorimeter yet to know what my real phosphte reading is.

I do have chaeto in my sump and it does grow. I harvest about a softball size clump out every month.

Suggest you keep a close eye on the chaeto, after a few weeks - and get ready to ditch it when it starves to death. Mine kept on growing for the first 5 weeks - then went stagnent - and now has gone to heaven

Reefflections · #**393** 01/29/2006, 12:28 PM

For sure let us know,how you do with the Prodibio.Being you seem to be the only one here in the U.S. using it.Hope you have great results,and can this on to all of us.

TryTheChi · #**394** 01/29/2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reefflections
For sure let us know,how you do with the Prodibio.Being you seem to be the only one here in the U.S. using it.Hope you have great results,and can this on to all of us.

Reefflections, it sounds like you only really really trust the experience of people in the US ?

True, no one wants to pick a fight with the US military, but appart from that obvious superiority there is plenty to be learned from the rest of the world bud

ps8411 · #**395** 01/29/2006, 12:54 PM

Ready to Emulate Iwan's success
Iwan's tank is a real inspiration of which I'd like to emulate. I have just set up a new 175g Bow Front and was about to order my 72" MH lighting (Coralife Aqualight Pro HQI ) until I came across this excellent thread this morning....!

My question is where can a purchase here in the States this same or similiar canopy for the T5's that Iwan is using? Is there anything out there comparable?

TIA,

PS8411

Floridiot · #**396** 01/29/2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ps8411
Ready to Emulate Iwan's success
Iwan's tank is a real inspiration of which I'd like to emulate. I have just set up a new 175g Bow Front and was about to order my 72" MH lighting (Coralife Aqualight Pro HQI ) until I came across this excellent thread this morning....!

My question is where can a purchase here in the States this same or similiar canopy for the T5's that Iwan is using? Is there anything out there comparable?

TIA,

PS8411

Closest thing we have available here in the US is the Sunlight Supply TEK fixture.

Reefflections · #**397** 01/29/2006, 01:46 PM

TryTheChi
Well to be honest with you.I've been a Zeovit user for at least 7 months.I had skimmer problems,and had to shut down Zeo.I'm still using some of their additives still.And all seems to be good.Even on the Zeo forum,a lot of folks are having the same problems.Film on panes,thining of corals,light corals ect.It's just nice to see another product out their,for people to try.That's safer to use,and not as costly,and demanding as Zeo was.I just have to take the wait and see approach now,because issues that I had with Zeo.My corals are still recovering from Zeo.Yet there are a lot of folks,that have great results.And I'm sure that Prodibio is also a great product.But the guidelines for Zeo is really radical for sure.Not clear cut dosing method,just try this and see what happens.Either add more or back off.And is some cases,it damaged the coral.So that why,it's nice to see someone try Prodibio.I just can't right now.Nothing against Zeo,but it wasn't for me.I'm always open ears for a new product out there.But here in the states,a lot of this new stuff you can't get here.And the on line stores here,won't order anything different that does come out.I was told many years ago,from a guy named Jeff Turner who went to Germany.And he was amazed on what they are doing over there as water Quality goes.So these new products don't surprise me a bit.And where the future will be in maintaining reef systems,totally different.Than just the Berlin method.

TryTheChi · #**398** 01/29/2006, 02:05 PM

Reefreflections - appols for misinterpreting you.

Interesting to hear your experience with the zeo basic 4. I'v been tempted to give that a go but have been wary for the reasons you describe. Prodi seems the middle way from what I can pick up. Although I'm half German, my german is no way good enough to benefit from the German language forums -so we are dependant on people like Iwan to help the transition to the english speaking world.

Its even more difficult with the Japanese:

, although the singaporeans seem to be good with english - and they have some inspirational tanks.

Cheers

Simon

Travis · #**399** 01/29/2006, 05:41 PM

I too am nervous about trying a new system that I don't know much about. At least zeo has been around in the states for a while and has a good knowledge and support base established. The prodibio is tempting because it is a lot cheaper than the full blown zeo system. Another plus is the bacteria do not have a shelf life, whereas the ZEObak is good for 6 months in the refrigerator unopened and only 3 months in the refrigerator after it has been opened. Not only is the prodibio biodigest cheaper, but you don't have to pay overnight shipping every 3 months to replenish your supply. Another part that makes Iwans method cheaper is that you don't have to buy a zeo reactor or replace the ZEOliths every 6 weeks.

Iwan, I know you mentioned that the Prodibio bacteria will take up home on the live rock and sand but will also work on a barebottom system. I run a barebottom system with what I consider to be a small amount of liverock. I would guess that I have around 150 pounds of live rock in my 400 gallon gross water volume system (275 gallons net). Would this be enough surface are for the prodibio bacteria to do their thing?

Is there anywhere else where I can see pictures of other people's tanks that are using the prodibio? Is this a popular method over in Europe? How long has this been around?

hahnmeister · #**400** 01/29/2006, 05:45 PM

Reefflections, Jeff Turner (board & founding member of ORA, RAC) is one of the people who influenced my opinions on T5 lighting as well. When I saw him last month, his presentation on RAC, ORA, and some new Euro tanks was amazing. Now if he could only hurry up and get me those Zebra Maximas! Floridiot, we do have some great options for T5 here in the states, its just that they are retrofits. If you get the IC660, some SLR reflectors, and the watertight endcaps, you have the makings of a lighting system superior to most anything including the Teks and ATIs.