Lets talk about Vodka/sugar dosing

[Eklikewhoa]

I looked myself about the brightwell products.

A LFS got in a large sample of the stuff and has been using it for about 2wks now and it's working pretty good.

 

[vvolfe1]

1) What is the water quality like? Better clarity? Cloudy?

My water clarity has maybe improved to hard to tell. The amount of detritus has almost double.


2) What effect occurs when switching brands of Vodka?

Non what so ever as long as it is the same proof.

3) What is the rule of measuring out Vodka (ml per x gallons)?

I use a 10ml plastic syringe. I started dosing 5ml/100gls. I then increased the dose by 2ml every third day until I reached 15 ml. I have been dosing 15 ml/day for 2 months now.

4) What do you do if you overdose the tank in an emergency?

I have yet to overdose. I'd say the best bet would be to run a maxijet with the venturi hooked up. Also better check your Alk as it will be lowered from the ph droping.

5) How long until you see results?

The first week I saw some results in my LR. After week1 I started getting a hair algae problem. I believe it is from the amount of pollutants in my live rock. SPS seem to have started growing quicker right away. LPS grow the same but polyps seem to be larger or healthier.
6) Is this ongoing, or is this a regime that is done one week a month, or every other month?

I'd say on going. I actually believe it creates a healthier system with increased bacteria.
7) What effect can one expect when dosings cease?

I really can not see stopping. Why would someone stop a system that practicaly requires no time and removes the need for running GFO and probablt activated carbon?
8) What time of day is best to dose, or does that even matter?

Best time of day would have to be after the lights turn on.

9) Does running GAC actively (through a canister filter or phosban reactor) work against the vodka dosings?
I'd say no. I do feel that the GAC is used up so fast from the extra organic matter in the water colum it really is render ineffective. It might help after this by giving the bacteria another place to attach and populate.
10) Should GFO be used, or is it better to remove it?

If the dosing is done correctly running GFO is pointless.

11) Does vodka affect any parameters such as Alk?
I've seen slides of bacteria that have fed on Lime so I'm sure it does. Indirectly it does too. Feeding the bacteria makes them multiply. So the bacteria are taking up more O2 and releasing more CO2. The CO2 lowers the ph which inturn lowers the ALK.
I'm now dosing alk twice as much as I had in the past.

 

[HerbieK]

I am thinking of starting vodka dosing in my 180 Gallon (200 total system volum) SPS tank. Here are some of my particulars:

Running ozone 24/7

Running sulfur Nitrate reactor, which I believe is useless because my nitrates are around 5 or so.

Running GFO with Phosphates measuring 0.00 on my Milwaukee/Martini colorimeter.

Schuran Jetsream I calcium reactor

Fairly heavy fish load:
Naso Tang
Sailfin tang
powder blue tang
kole tang
Swallow tail angel
Pink tail trigger
8 Medium sized chromis
Cleaner wrasse
Various snails and hermits

I feed daily but not excessively

Tank is barebottom.

Running 3X 250 watt XM 10Ks on Lumenarc Minis w/ 2x 160 watt VHO actinics

SPS colors are decent but not great.

I am running a Bermuda 5C skimmer w/ Mag 12, which is currently doing a great job.

I will also be trying out some Zeo additives - PIF, Sponge Power, AAs, KV, Stylo Pocci Glow.

Please let me know what I can expect when running vodka, and whether it would be better to lose some of my reactors (ie. Ditch the nitrate reactor and/or GFO).

Right now I am running partially "nutrient Poor", and I am wondering whether it would be worth giving vodka a try.

Any and all feedback is appreciated.

Herb

 

[Zedar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12747134#post12747134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDguy
That would seem to be a pretty easy thing to test...add nitrate instead of AA's and see what happens

I did that potassium nitrate. I went from 0 to 10ppm. I did notice a darkening but not a coloring.

 

[Zedar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12749134#post12749134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by just dave
Brightwell Aquatics has just released Reef Bio Fuel .

Overview
• Helps maintain a balanced nutrient-limited marine aquarium by enabling the hobbyist to enhance the rate of microbial growth and reproduction, increasing the rate of phosphate-reduction and denitrification; this is of particular benefit in heavily-stocked, well-fed reef aquaria.
• Replaces “vodka method” of microbial activity-enhancement with a completely safe and biologically-sound, non-flammable alternative to using vodka or ethanol.
• Indirectly benefits corals and other suspension-feeding invertebrates by encouraging reproduction of bacterioplankton (an important food source for suspension-feeding invertebrates).
• Encourages polyp-expansion in all corals.
• May be used to help expedite biological filtration in new set-ups.
• Formulated by a marine scientist.



and



MICROBACTER 7


Overview:
• Complex system of non-pathogenic aerobic andanaerobic microbes, as well as natural enzymes, specifically formulated to establish biological filtrationin new aquarium set-ups, and to enhance the rate of nitrification, denitrification, and organic waste degradation in marine and freshwater aquaria through complete nutrient remineralization.



I tried to see if this had already been posted but at about page 20 I started finding it hard to see and wanted to post before I completely lost my eyesight.

Thanks for the heads up

Glassbox-design has commented on the whole line of products.
http://glassbox-design.com/2008/brightwell-aquatics-to-launch-bac-driven-system/

 

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12750726#post12750726 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zedar
I did that potassium nitrate. I went from 0 to 10ppm. I did notice a darkening but not a coloring.

hehe, well there we go

 

[Vili_Shark]

Did Jörg Kokott ever published his article in english?

 

[MammothReefer]

Well I'm up to 20ml a day now, and I FINALLY have some progress.. Nitrates are back in range of the test kit!

 

[Zedar]

Whats in range? What are they reading?

 

[MammothReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12765139#post12765139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zedar
Whats in range? What are they reading?

hah this is going to sound dumb but, I'm not sure..

I'm waiting for my new test kits (which should have been here last week)

The colour chart is ruined on my current nitrate kit,..

Blood Red is the high end of the spectrum, and what my nitrates were showing with all prior tests.

Yesterday was the first time it showed something other then red, it was a yellow/auburn. I'll have a better idea tonight.

 

[Zedar]

ouch it sounds like they're high. Just how high is the question ? Well vodka will lower them it just takes time and patience.

 

[MammothReefer]

Oh ya...got my test kits today,

Sera and API (don't ask why I ended up with 2 sets of kits)

Both of them showed my Nitrates to be in the 40ppm + range.. after 40 I have a hard time telling the difference between the reds..

Whats wierd though (and un-related) is
Sera KH = 9.0
API KH = 10.0 (tested it a few times...go figure)

 

[Zedar]

I would trust API.

 

[MammothReefer]

well i'd rather be 8-9, then 9-10.. so i'm going to let it drop

 

[BlueCorn]

...

 

[MammothReefer]

Updates!!

Down to a solid 20ppm of nitrates, and up to 30ml of Vodka a day. The verdict isn't in yet though as I also did a 90g water change, so how much of my Nitrate drop is Vodka related and how much is WC related is unknown.. I'm going to do another 90 gallon water change this weekend, but test just prior and the following day. Unfortunately I also lost 3 acros to unknown causes this weekend, I tried to save them by fragging and TMPCC dip, but to no avail. They all were doing well good colours and signs of growth then poof.. RTN. I've since decided to put Ozone plumbed into a second smaller skimmer back on my system (g3)

 

[kmckay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12752408#post12752408 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Vili_Shark
Did Jörg Kokott ever published his article in english?

Any idea anyone?

 

[MammothReefer]

Have any you noticed huge improvements in skimming since you started dosing vodka? for me around the 25ml-30ml mark. I am now having to empty my skimmer 1-2 times a day, and with bm250 thats a HUGE cup. I have to say I am very pleased that I am now able to skim this wet and still have some solid filth coming out of the tank. .I hope this is a good sign heh.

If it's not the vodka, then it must be my switching of salts..

 

[JCTewks]

My skimming increased dramatically for the first 3 months...I was emptying skimmer cup 2 times a day. Then around the 3 month mark, the skimming dropped off significantly...my assumption is that the bulk of the preexisting N and P are finally removed, and the skimmer is now only having to keep up with the new inputs of N and P. The tank is still doing great, just only emptying the cup every 4 days instead of twice a day

 

[MammothReefer]

Interesting boris.. interesting.. so I may very well be at the sweet spot now where It's starting to work.. I'm going to have to monitor my paramters.