Clkwrk's 180gBB SPS/LPS tank setup and progression log

[clkwrk]

Come on Cody Do you really think I am adding vodka with no knowledge of its purpose or supposed function in our tanks? If all goes well at my small doses I will move over to those products which are more selective on the bacteria that is mainly present . I also know that vodka/surgar will also increase all bacteria in a system and its not selective .So if bad bacteria is around that can become a problem.However since I also run ozone I believe the chance of me having a bad bacteria that would pose a threat is close to none.

Also I am going to ask you share your full experience The amount you useded?How often? How long did you try this for ect? Oh and point me to the threads you used for reference during your learning experience.

There is also a point when you need to stop for a week to see how things balance out and if the problem was short lived or a constant. If a constant then doses can continue.

 

[Cody Ray]

Of course I don't, but I thought I would mention it. I was adding roughly a teaspoon a week to my topoff water. I would have to say that it was WAY too much

 

[kirstenk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7229924#post7229924 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clkwrk
I also know that vodka/sugar will also increase all bacteria in a system and its not selective .So if bad bacteria is around that can become a problem.However since I also run ozone I believe the chance of me having a bad bacteria that would pose a threat is close to none.

Hey Chris,

I've read this too, mostly from people who poo poo the vodka method or makers of bacterias that also sell the food for the Bacs. Randy H Farley has stated that a carbon source is pretty much just that (he said it in reference to vodka vs sugar) but seems like it would hold kinda true across the board. I am no chemistry person (far from it) but I'm thinking what makes a carbon a carbon would be the same or very close. This is not to say that the Bac foods have other goddies in the mix.

Anyway, that is why I am dosing the Bacs and supplementing them with some Vodka. Down the road I will use only the Bac foods to determine if I see a difference.

I also run ozone and agree with your point. The ozone will kill off some Bacs but at the dosage we use, the effect will be small.

Your tank is looking awesome!!

 

[Opcn]

Different Carbon sources require different enzymes to break them down just fyi

 

[Opcn]

Apperently I should expound on this, Differnt carbon sources have different shapes, Sucrose, table sugar is shaped like two rings of 5 carbons and one oxygen each with a carbon sticking off of one and an oxygen bridgeing the two with Hydrogens and OH's on many of the carbons, Vodka is a concentrated source of mainly ethanol, which is two carbons stuck together with three hydrogens off of one and two hydrogens and an OH (hydroxyl group) off of the other.

Now the difference is size and shape means that there is no way for just one type of Enzyme to take on all of these different potential carbon sources, Fortunately for bacterioa, they are scrappy and have been around for a very long time and encountered and exploited many different types of carbon, and there for have various enzymes to convert them to useable resources. Most types of sugar and common types of alchol can be broken down by most types of bacteria, However some carbon bearing structures are not encountered as often and therefor only specialized bacteria can take them out. Good examples would be petroleum distilates, Various alkiloids and polymers. When a bacteria encounters a molecule that it thinks it can handle it will produce the enzymes to deal with whatever type of molecule it is, these enzymes do not enter the water column but symply stay within the bacteria to help it break down what it gets its grubby little cillia on.

Hope this is enought info for you

Bottom line, it is possible to have a carbon source that only certain good types of bacteria can use, but I do not know wheather it is true or not.

 

[clkwrk]

Okay folks finally some decent pictures of the tank

My pink pocci which houses my breeding acro crabs

Top down of a yellow prostrata, sm and tricolor of some sort.

My Moffet tenuis and plana? wannabe tubs crayola

Left corner top down

Acan and soli

Blue tort

Yellow?

This coral is in a bad place for a top down but I had to cause its the only way to get its colors...I am happy to see orange polyps developing in the higher light these last 2 weeks

What at one time I thought was a Steve Elias stag

More to come

 

[clkwrk]

Mille's and cap

Right corner top down

Right side

Tort top down

Mille

Valley

another tort frag

My powder blue

Mille's

 

[clkwrk]

 

[Opcn]

B-e-a-utiful

I especially like the last tang pic.

 

[Bax]

Very nice

 

[clkwrk]

Thanks Opcn and bax

 

[ZoeReef]

Gorgeous tank! You make a strong statement for a bare bottom tank. Hmmm.

BTW Any sump pics? (or did I miss??) I would like to see how the access works on your tank. Thanks!

 

[clkwrk]

Thx!

Look on pg 7 for what you want to see

 

[tfetter]

Chris, your tank looks sweet!!! Everything you touch looks amazing, great job. I follow you thread everyday for new pics and updates Your tank gives me motovation to hurry up and get mine done!

 

[clkwrk]

Thanks alot I do try my hardest to provide my creatures with the best I can offer while keeping it visually attractive.

On a side not here is a chalice I brought home today .....This thing has sat at a LFS for a few months .......While looking at it today I noticed it was a spitting image of my blue reef farmers chalice but a bit brighter.

 

[clkwrk]

Here is some pictures of my other echnos,chalices ect.

 

[TCU Reefer]

How big is your vlamingi? Are you concerned about it outgrowing your tank?

 

[clkwrk]

Yes I am concernd since it was the size of a silver dollar about a year ago. He has already grown bigger than any of the tangs I have in my tanks......Is is 6 + now and growing everyday it seems.

Hopefully I can get by for 3 years and he can then have a 400+ gallon to call a final home .

 

[clkwrk]

Here are a few updated pics.

My lil PM frag growing already

enjoy

 

[ZoeReef]

Awesome pics! You are a master of placing them and making them look like they've been there for years. Your tank just shines.