I was curious to see if anyone uses vodka, sugar or acetate to dose organic carbon, and if so to get your feedback. I have used vinegar with pickling lime (forms calcium acetate) with good results. Below is an article about using a combination of organic carbon sources and why. Thoughts?
Dosing with organic carbon (vodka, etc.)
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Dave, I saw pictures of your tank while it was TOTM. I must admit I was pretty awestruck (along with MOJO's and a few others). I am very interested in the lighting/coloration relationship. Do you mind sharing what you use?
Also, if I ever got the oportunity to see in person, or have your buget for electricity, I would be 'in the zone'. -lol
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Jeez, been in the hobby for almost eight years, and there's still so much to learn...
Glad you guys are sharing your findings so that slackers like me can learn more!!
Glad you guys are sharing your findings so that slackers like me can learn more!!
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I guess it would make sense if you had a show tank. But my question is, where does it end? There are so many additives, methods, equipment setups, etc. that a hobbyist can use, before you know it, you've got a 1000g total set up with a 50g display, and you're dosing, adjusting, changing water, or what ever, every single day. I know these are exaggerations, but what happened to KISS? Keep It Simple, Stupid. I've found the more I try to upgrade, the more chance I have of screwing up. And as with any hobby, there are times when I get lazy and less interested. It's for those times that I plan. I'd rather be able to skip a water change or two and not be afraid of the consequences, than have the brightest colored corals in the world. Just a matter of personal preference, I guess.
All that said, I don't want to diminish the value of learning things like this. One, I love learning it, even if I never use it, but, two, being aware of these options and their affects make more aware of how to handle day to day issues. Again, thanks to Ich for feeding the nerd in me.
All that said, I don't want to diminish the value of learning things like this. One, I love learning it, even if I never use it, but, two, being aware of these options and their affects make more aware of how to handle day to day issues. Again, thanks to Ich for feeding the nerd in me.
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Here is an RC thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1685800">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1685800</a>
Pg 19 has some progress pics.
I do not do this method myself...but considering.
Pg 19 has some progress pics.
I do not do this method myself...but considering.
I have Coralvue electronic ballsts, Lumenbright Mini pendants, and Radium 400 watt 20K SE bulbs. I initially used Helios/EVC bulbs (same thing), but found that since my corals had grown from stick frags to colonies with canopys like trees do, the Helios/EVC bulbs, while great in color, just were not cutting it for me PAR-wise. I did some testing of 400 watt Helios/EVC 20K SE bulbs vs Radium 400 watt 20K SE bulbs with an Apogee Quantum Meter, and found that at any given spot in my reef, the Radiums had anywhere from 65-100% more PAR than the Helios/EVC.
I discovered the lighting issue because after my acros got larger, I had some STN issues on a few of my colonies. I didn't have any chemistry issues, and no pests, like AEFWs or Redbugs. So after banging my head against the wall and finding out a dozen things that didn't cause it, I just gave up. But I also decided to try Radium bulbs because I had heard good things about them.
Switching to the Radiums stopped the STN on my colonies like flipping a light switch, it was that fast. It stopped, and the corals that had been STNing started to regrow. It was absolutely amazing, and I cannot attribute it to anything else.
Then I got those incredible PAR differences with the Apogee, so I think that basically my acros outgrew the PAR provided by the Helios/EVC bulbs and needed a stronger bulb, like the Radiums.
Dave
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