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rfoote
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Topic: vodka dosing Posted: July 05 2011 at 11:27am |
bump - I'd like to know opinions/experiences with these carbon sources. One of my concerns is my LPS(specifically Elegance) - would I be starving them of nutrients? Thanks!
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rfoote
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Posted: July 04 2011 at 9:20am |
Silly questions as I haven't read enough on this yet,(I know it has been done for a long time, just haven't started to research it until now). I assume you are introducing some form of bacteria(ie. MB7) at the same time? I'd be a bit worried to dose straight w/out it...? Also, after a period of time wouldn't you be starving your tank of nutrients? Also, any opinions on something like BioFuel vs Vodka? Thanks! Ok, another question - I currently run a carbon and phosguard reactor. Should these be removed if I start this? and another... - looks like NP Reducing BioPellets are very effective. Anyone use these? Would they not do essentially the same thing as dosing vodka...? Thanks!
Edited by rfoote - July 04 2011 at 11:00am
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jcom
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Posted: April 18 2011 at 2:03pm |
Like Mark posted above, read the article below (I read it several times before I first started dosing). I used his recipe of vodka, sugar (I got priming sugar from Beer Nut on State Stree for $0.78), and vinegar.
After reading a lot of forums and other articles, it was the article above that actually gave me the confidence to go for it. I dose 1ml per day in my 120G tank along with MB7. I also seed with Prodibio ever 6 - 8 weeks just to mix up the diversity. I occasionally miss a day here and there and have gone on a couple of 3 - 4 day vacations where the tank wasn't fed or dosed at all (except ALK and Ca from my doser) and everything was fine.
As Ryan mentioned, for the first month requires very diligent testing because the ALK and Ca demand drops drastically as your system adjusts, but then the demand greatly increases and growth takes off like nothing you've ever seen....water clears...color improves (if you have quality lighting)..and the fun begins. I am a believer that a quality skimmer is an important componant as it allows for export of dead bacteria..and it's the bacteria that consumes the nasties that we don't want in our tank (phosphates and nitrates). Meanwhile, the coral absolutely love to feed on the live bacteria and they will reward you for this.
Edited by jcom - April 18 2011 at 2:10pm
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wickedsnowman
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Posted: April 18 2011 at 7:49am |
Yeah i can understand that. Although it provides food for bacteria it might not be any where near the same amount as vodka.
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CapnMorgan
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Posted: April 18 2011 at 1:42am |
wickedsnowman wrote:
Thats why I think Vitamin C is an awesome alternative to vodka. I think as long as your not dosing alot like under 10ppm twice per day and have an adequate skimmer. There is not really a way it could crash your tank. |
I don't know if I think Vit C is an adequate substitute for vodka or something like reef biofuel. I have dosed Vit C for over a year now, and never saw anywhere near the results I do dosing reef biofuel. It would seem like it should work much differently because vit c is an acid, not a complex carbon compound like sugar or ethanol.
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Steve My Old 180G Mixed ReefCurrently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8
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wickedsnowman
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Posted: April 18 2011 at 12:22am |
Dion Richins wrote:
I have used Brown Sugar in the past to kick a up grade off. It makes sense in some aspects. In my opinion I wouldn't use vodka even for an experiment. I have seen 3 tanks that were dosing crash horribly. 1 was controlled by dosing pumps and all three had taken every precaution they could think of. Crap happens.Its true that many things we do can result in horrible results. It is true that that's a possibility in our hobby. The forum has postings from members from time to time "throwing in the towel" because they had a leaking issue, crash from poor maintenance, dosing pumps going bad, heat, cold etc. Heck I nuked my office tank a couple months ago by leaving a space heater on. Shit will happen. However why would I raise my risk of destruction when there are safer methods? Again just my opinion.In thinking about it I guess it wouldn't be as bad if all you were doing it to was a nano. A 200g reef with thousands invested would be a risky proposition. Search Reef Central for a crap load of destruction stories. If you feel its still for you just be prepared for the possibility. | Thats why I think Vitamin C is an awesome alternative to vodka. I think as long as your not dosing alot like under 10ppm twice per day and have an adequate skimmer. There is not really a way it could crash your tank.
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Dion Richins
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 10:50pm |
I have used Brown Sugar in the past to kick a up grade off. It makes sense in some aspects. In my opinion I wouldn't use vodka even for an experiment. I have seen 3 tanks that were dosing crash horribly. 1 was controlled by dosing pumps and all three had taken every precaution they could think of. Crap happens.
Its true that many things we do can result in horrible results. It is true that that's a possibility in our hobby. The forum has postings from members from time to time "throwing in the towel" because they had a leaking issue, crash from poor maintenance, dosing pumps going bad, heat, cold etc. Heck I nuked my office tank a couple months ago by leaving a space heater on. Shit will happen. However why would I raise my risk of destruction when there are safer methods? Again just my opinion.
In thinking about it I guess it wouldn't be as bad if all you were doing it to was a nano. A 200g reef with thousands invested would be a risky proposition. Search Reef Central for a crap load of destruction stories. If you feel its still for you just be prepared for the possibility.
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builderofdreams
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 9:48pm |
Ok.Thanks for putting in terms i can understand.
I have read horror stories of overdosing with vodka.
To me it does not seem to be any cheaper (maybe i am wrong) than using Phosgaurd.
At least with the Phosgaurd i do not have to worry about nuking the tank if I screw up.
I personally do not run a Refugium.Just Phosgaurd and Charcoal.
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It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession 150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915
http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post
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wickedsnowman
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 9:24pm |
builderofdreams wrote:
Sorry Ryan did not posted.this is the one i did not understand. | Yeah your not an idiot dude. This link isn't meant to explain or even give directions on how to use vitamin c. It is simply meant as a reference to the fact vit c can be used as an organic carbon source.
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CapnMorgan
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 9:07pm |
builderofdreams wrote:
I read the link that Ryan posted and i am going to have to admit
I did not understand 98% of it.
Conclusion at least with my tank "If it's not Broke don't Fix it".
Not reallyunderstanding the benefit of doing this,nor the actual conclusion of the Link that Ryan posted.Guess i am an idiot. |
You're definitely NOT an idiot Paul. It's just a different filtration system for running a reef. One where you don't need a refugium, algae or anything like that. The bacteria consume nitrate and phosphate and then are skimmed out. You regulate the bacterial population by regulating a key ingredient of their food supply which in this case is organic carbon (vodka, sugar, etc.)
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Steve My Old 180G Mixed ReefCurrently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8
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builderofdreams
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 8:48pm |
Sorry Ryan did not posted.this is the one i did not understand.
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It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession 150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915
http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post
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builderofdreams
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 8:28pm |
I read the link that Ryan posted and i am going to have to admit
I did not understand 98% of it.
Conclusion at least with my tank "If it's not Broke don't Fix it".
Not reallyunderstanding the benefit of doing this,nor the actual conclusion of the Link that Ryan posted.Guess i am an idiot.
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It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession 150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915
http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post
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BnK
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 8:16pm |
saltlaketank Look at the second post of the thread ryan gives a link.
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saltlaketank
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 8:02pm |
I wonder what you people who have dosed with vodka find to be a good level to maintain and how much you would dose, how often to get there.
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JayDee 8016042780 90 Gallon 30 Gallon sump G3 Skimmer
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BnK
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 7:49pm |
k here is my readings HAGEN MASTER TEST KIT temp-78 salinty-1.026 cal-500 nitrite-0.1 nitrate- think 10 but not sure it is bright purple and there is not really a purple that bright to me on the color chart. ph-8.1 kh-190 iron (non chelated) and (chelated) 0 phosphates-0.25 ammonia-0 I also got this frag prolly a month ago it has done real well then all the sudden been gettin white spots here is a pic.Its the bright orange one on the right
Edited by BnK - April 17 2011 at 8:06pm
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wickedsnowman
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 6:23pm |
Well you only need to dose what your tank is using up. With that said most people have to dose cal, alk and periodically mag. Or have a reactor or use kalkwasser. Almost every tank will use Cal and alk farely quickly. Other than that you have to test to see what needs to be supplemented or replaced from water changes. To get increased coral growth or fix problems there are other supplements. Until your having problems or looking for specific results they are not a necessity though.
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ptronsp
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 6:04pm |
When we first got in the hobby it was a guy names Chris that has showed us how he dosed with Vodka, we decided to try what he suggested from the very beginning and it went well. Just ask as many questions as you need too, people will be great with giving you answers.
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BnK
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 5:58pm |
Yea pam I was gonna do the vodka dosing but I am just not comfortable yet to do something like that. I do want to in the future so i will read up more on it and want to visit with someone that does it and just gather more info. Im looking into gettin a reactor and bio-pellets soon. All my corals seem to be doin good had a couple casalites cuz dumb crabs knocking them off and they hit my torch or end up in the sand. But besides that they are growing. I will for sure take readings and will post as soon as i do
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TriggerHappy
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 5:53pm |
Yes, please post up some more info and I'm sure you'll get a ton of help.
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ptronsp
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Posted: April 17 2011 at 5:51pm |
We use to dose with Vodka and had no problems what so ever. It worked great for us but now we do not dose with Vodka. It seems like it's an ever changing cycle we have with different products.
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