Vodka dosing help

[ralph atl]

This is a great article here:

http://glassbox-design.com/2008/achieved-through-observation-and-experimentation/">http://glassbox-design.com/2008/achieved-through-observation-and-experimentation/</a>

and here:

[IMG]http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/probiotics-demystified">http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/probiotics-demystified</a>

Start with 2 ml for 30 days, then start increasing 1 ml a week until you have 0 trates with a great test kit....

I've been dosing for 5-6 years or more?

 

[mhender8]

mysterybox;702970 wrote: This is a great article here:

http://glassbox-design.com/2008/achieved-through-observation-and-experimentation/">http://glassbox-design.com/2008/achieved-through-observation-and-experimentation/</a>

and here:

[IMG]http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/probiotics-demystified">http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/probiotics-demystified</a>

Start with 2 ml for 30 days, then start increasing 1 ml a week until you have 0 trates with a great test kit....

I've been dosing for 5-6 years or more?[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the links

 

[ichthyoid]

It should also be mentioned that vodka (ethanol) is not the only carbon source that works. I have also used vinegar (acetate) as well as methanol in a special reactor I have, going back over 10 years. They both worked.

Other carbon sources could potentially include- acetone, sugar, acetaldehyde, molasses, polycaprolactone (biopellets) etc.

I have conducted a pretty thorough search of the literature and it appears from studies conducted on denitrification of waste water, that acetate (salt of vinegar) is the most efficient at reducing nitrate to N2 gas. Virtually all of these carbons can work. The question becomes, why would you want to use them? Vodka and vinegar are both readily available and do a fine job, without near the potential for 'other' issues developing.

JMHO

 

[ralph atl]

I have used Az-No3, VSV, VV, Vinegar, bip-pellets, and Vodka, and I have found Vodka to be the best carbon source........imho.

 

[90galguy]

So if I'm just starting my aquarium and entertaining the idea of vodka dozing, should I have the aquarium cycle and get established prior to dosing?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[ichthyoid]

90galguy;702999 wrote: So if I'm just starting my aquarium and entertaining the idea of vodka dozing, should I have the aquarium cycle and get established prior to dosing?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Yes.

It would not benefit the tank to begin dosing before you see any nitrate being produced.

 

[snowmansnow]

bio pellets.. vodka.. zeovit..

they are all basically the same thing in that you are attempting to grow "beneficial bacteria" in order to starve out bad stuff.....

The vodka is simply a carbon source (FOOD for the bacteria), but be aware that it will also feed cyano .. and other bacteria as well if it already has a foothold.

For Zeovit the ZeoStart is the food.

A lot of people also dose a bacteria strain in order to "choose" the bacteria..... for the zeo system its zeobak

NO doubt these things can and do work, but you have to be willing to become an aquarium scientist to really milk them for all the benefits.

ALSO, do it SLOW...... VERY SLOW

 

[ralph atl]

SnowManSnow;703028 wrote: bio pellets.. vodka.. zeovit..

they are all basically the same thing in that you are attempting to grow "beneficial bacteria" in order to starve out bad stuff.....

The vodka is simply a carbon source (FOOD for the bacteria), but be aware that it will also feed cyano .. and other bacteria as well if it already has a foothold.

For Zeovit the ZeoStart is the food.

A lot of people also dose a bacteria strain in order to "choose" the bacteria..... for the zeo system its zeobak

NO doubt these things can and do work, but you have to be willing to become an aquarium scientist to really milk them for all the benefits.

ALSO, do it SLOW...... VERY SLOW

yes, very true....about 4 times a year I have to use chemi-clean....

 

[jumplittlechloe]

I dosed as well and used the NO3O4-X from the Red Sea reef care line. I dosed for three months with good results (0 NO3 .06 PO4). The bottle has very specific instructions for dosing requirements depending on tank size and your current nitrate and phosphate levels. If you choose to dose here are some areas that other have stated that I found helpful:

- Stop running GFO as it is not needed (do this slowly as to not shock your tank)
- Feed your tank / you may have to feed heavily in some cases to raise your nitrate so that the bacteria can feed and grow to reduce your phosphate levels (This was
my problem and the reason I stopped. I had to feel a lot because I could not get my nitrates to increase and my phosphate would not reduce below .06)
- Some have said that keeping your Alk around 6.5-7.5 is best as to not burn the tips of your sps corals (I don't know if this is an issue as I run my Alk at 7dKh).

 

[ralph atl]

I found that I must continue to run GFO...I keep Alk at 9, no issues.

 

[jumplittlechloe]

So in continuing to run GFO have you noticed any adverse issues? I know Red Sea pushed for the discontinuation of any phosphate reactor.

 

[ichthyoid]

I also have one of these-

 

[ralph atl]

jumplittlechloe;703084 wrote: So in continuing to run GFO have you noticed any adverse issues? I know Red Sea pushed for the discontinuation of any phosphate reactor.

No I'll effects, but than again I don't use Red Sea, more like Stoli..

 

[dme330i]

jumplittlechloe;703084 wrote: So in continuing to run GFO have you noticed any adverse issues? I know Red Sea pushed for the discontinuation of any phosphate reactor.

Shouldn't see any adverse issues - just potentially limits the bacterial growth (assuming P04 is the limiting factor). If PO4 is not limiting, then some use of GFO may still be warranted.

Edit: Another factor in dosing - do you all use some type of media to house additional bacteria (e.g., in addition to free floating and what's on live rock)?

I've used zeo rocks and seachem matrix. In my current 93g, I'm using about 3 liters of Matrix in the sump. Shake it up occasionally to create coral "food."

 

[schwaggs]

My P04 always measures 0.00 using the mini Hanna tester and whenever I have measured Nitrate, it has always read 0 but yet I have an algae problem. I run GFO and that seems to help control the algae growth but not eliminate it. I feed a lot of frozen foods (mysis, 4 types of OSI frozen foods). Will vodka dosing work for me?

 

[90galguy]

Well.................it looks like Vodka dosing on Sunday within most of the counties around Atlanta will be legalized!!!!

 

[dme330i]

Schwaggs;703143 wrote: My P04 always measures 0.00 using the mini Hanna tester and whenever I have measured Nitrate, it has always read 0 but yet I have an algae problem. I run GFO and that seems to help control the algae growth but not eliminate it. I feed a lot of frozen foods (mysis, 4 types of OSI frozen foods). Will vodka dosing work for me?

I think it would. While your testers measure 0.00, the algae provides a another "measurement." However, considering how well things are working for you, it's a borderline call IMO.

 

[ichthyoid]

90galguy;703185 wrote: Well.................it looks like Vodka dosing on Sunday within most of the counties around Atlanta will be legalized!!!!

Woot!

 

[cr500_af]

I know it probably goes without saying, but while even the cheapest "plain" vodka will do fine, make sure you don't accidentally use anything with a flavoring (citrus, etc).

I just went to my usual liquor store and told him, "It would just sound strange if I told you why, so just point me to the absolute cheapest 'regular' unflavored vodka you carry".

 

[demifelix]

well, I started dosing last Tues. It's been 6 days now and I'm not seeing any changes yet. How long do you think I can see some positive effect on the tests?