stony_corals
New member
Patience grasshopper.... continue to go slow, you're artificially influencing the biology of your system.
Lets talk about Vodka/sugar dosing
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
Patience grasshopper.... continue to go slow, you're artificially influencing the biology of your system.
melev
Well-known member
Perhaps skimming less watery would darken it up. However, throughout the dosing, the sludge always is the same color. A dark army-green like G. I. Joe. 
Yes, I do plan to keep doing my monthly 55g water change. I'm also planning to add someone's Amino Acids. I've heard good things about the Zeo ones and another (can't remember it at the moment).
However, I'm just glad to report it is coming down finally. You told me that my DSB and the refugium would affect the length of time it would take to see it come down, and you were right. Also, my Salifert kit is almost empty and thus future results may be affected by a different kit. With the goal being 0, I don't think it matters what kit I use.
Coral coloration looks about the same to me. Water clarity feels the same. Unlike the article where people could see the difference over six months, 9 weeks is barely a third of that time. I'd like to see some popping colors in the future. And I'd like to see some nuisance crap off a few spots in my rockwork. And I'd really like to see some slow growing corals finally kick into gear and grow out.
Since dosing Vodka, I don't believe I have had any losses other than the Teardrop Maxima in my angled tank. No cyano blooms, no bacterial blooms, no drop in alkalinity. No ill effects that I can think of. On the plus side, no need for massive water changes (saving both on water and salt expenses), no need for GFO (saves money), no issues, no complaints. During the 9 week period, I only forgot to dose one time, which was skipped as recommended in the article.
Yes, I do plan to keep doing my monthly 55g water change. I'm also planning to add someone's Amino Acids. I've heard good things about the Zeo ones and another (can't remember it at the moment).
However, I'm just glad to report it is coming down finally. You told me that my DSB and the refugium would affect the length of time it would take to see it come down, and you were right. Also, my Salifert kit is almost empty and thus future results may be affected by a different kit. With the goal being 0, I don't think it matters what kit I use.
Coral coloration looks about the same to me. Water clarity feels the same. Unlike the article where people could see the difference over six months, 9 weeks is barely a third of that time. I'd like to see some popping colors in the future. And I'd like to see some nuisance crap off a few spots in my rockwork. And I'd really like to see some slow growing corals finally kick into gear and grow out.
Since dosing Vodka, I don't believe I have had any losses other than the Teardrop Maxima in my angled tank. No cyano blooms, no bacterial blooms, no drop in alkalinity. No ill effects that I can think of. On the plus side, no need for massive water changes (saving both on water and salt expenses), no need for GFO (saves money), no issues, no complaints. During the 9 week period, I only forgot to dose one time, which was skipped as recommended in the article.
Nelson Pena
New member
Which dosage will be reasonable to start dosing vodka in 400 gallons aquarium?
There are lots of different opinions regarding the vodka dosage.
thanks
There are lots of different opinions regarding the vodka dosage.
thanks
melev
Well-known member
newsalt
Active member
I just completed day 3 of vodka dosing. Before I started, my PO4 was at 0.10 measured with a Hanna meter. Tonight I checked it again after 3 days of dosing and it's 0.07, a decrease. According to this article about it:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2.../nftt/index.php
Since I've seen a decrease, I should continue my current dosing until levels drop to near undetectable.
I'm using 80 proof vodaka on a 100g net system so I've been dosing 0.04ml.
First question: would I see a decrease this soon?
Second question: Am I doing this right and continue with the 0.4ml dosing?
Thanks
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2.../nftt/index.php
Since I've seen a decrease, I should continue my current dosing until levels drop to near undetectable.
I'm using 80 proof vodaka on a 100g net system so I've been dosing 0.04ml.
First question: would I see a decrease this soon?
Second question: Am I doing this right and continue with the 0.4ml dosing?
Thanks
newsalt
Active member
The Hanna meter I have dose have an accuracy of =/- 0.4.
Also, tonight I notice a "fuzzy" growth on the back glass. It's not green and it can be cleaned off easily. Is it a sign of overdosing? Should I clean it off.
One more question. I have a bottle of Zeobac. Should I be dosing that too?
Also, tonight I notice a "fuzzy" growth on the back glass. It's not green and it can be cleaned off easily. Is it a sign of overdosing? Should I clean it off.
One more question. I have a bottle of Zeobac. Should I be dosing that too?
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13512547#post13512547 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newsalt
If I had to pick a color, probably brown.
Measured PO4 again this morning. I got 0.03. Now I really don't know what to do.
When I started, PO4 was 0.10. At day 3 of dosing PO4 was 0.07. Now after day 4, PO4 is 0.03.
Now I don't know if I should doulbe the dose or not.
I would just stay with what you are at and see if the trend continues. If so, then you'll actually be cutting back by this time next week or sooner.
Greetings everyone.
After getting my rear end kicked around battling self-induced water quality issues for most of the summer I seem to have been gifted with the gift that keeps on giving.... CYANO.
About 2 months worth now give or take. I have siphoned the stuff, I have blasted it with water flow, I have even vigilantly tried attacking every last speck of fish poop I could get my hands on and still it remains.
So I decided to toss my hat into the Vodka dosing ring.
Here are my particulars:
My tank is 300 gal custom acrylic with an Deltec AP702 gravity fed skimmer running relatively wet. Water movement is compliments of 2 Eheim 1262's for my returns and 4 Vortechs on one end of the tank. I run a 2" sand bed of #3 aragonite that's hydrovac'd 2x monthly. I run filter socks that are changed out every 3-4 days. I also run a refugium with cheato on a 12 hour reverse photo period. Water changes are @ 30gals 2x/month w/ NSW (Catalina Water Co). Ca & ALk supplements are hand dosed with either Kent or Ocean Pure dry products. Lighting is 12x 80w T5.
Corals (that are left) are a rag-tag mix of SPS and LPS with a splattering of zoo's and Ricordeas. Fish load is comprised of 1 angel, 1 tang, 4 wrasses and 9 anthias.
Starting params:
Temp = 79.2
Salinty 1.025 (refrac calibrated 3 months ago)
NO3 = <10ppm to 10ppm (Salifert & API)
PO4 = .25 maybe? hard to tell (Elos)
Ca = 400 (Elos)
Mag = 1260 (Salifert)
Alk = 8.3KH / 2.97 Meq/L (Salifert
pH = 8.1 - 8.2 (API)
On 10/10 I began dosing 1.5ml of 80% Vodka in the evenings.
On day 4 (10/14) I sent a water sample off to AquariumWaterTesting.com and received the following results:
Amnonia (NH3-4) .009
Nitrite (NO2) .002
Nitrate (NO3) 0.5
Phos (PO4) .13
Silica (SiO2-3) 0.6 - High
Potassium (K) 302 - Low
Calcium (Ca) 439
Boron (B) 3.4
Moly (Mo) 0.1
Stron (Sr) 8.8
Mag (Mg) 1213
Iodine (I) .07
Copper (Cu) .02
Alk (meq/L) 3.19
By day 5 I began to notice my Cyano was no longer advancing.
Yesterday, (10/16/08) the start of day 7 I doubled my dose to 3ml splitting it up between AM & PM doses.
Today everything is still looking good, although I am starting to see a very fine dusting of cobweb like hair/strings on the acrylic walls starting at the sand bed and ending approx 6" up from the substrate. Cyano has retreated a bit from the higher points of my rock work, and the open areas of the substrate, but still has a strong hold on the lower parts of the rock and the sand immediately surrounding it. Zoos and Rics are still looking OK. Skimmer starting to smell a bit more than normal but I'm not seeing any difference in the color of the skimmate.
Overall I think I'm on the right track but I now have 2 questions for everyone.
1. Should I maintain my current dose of 3.0 ml for a while longer, or go ahead and bump it up by another .5ml when the time comes?
2. I've just finished setting up a salt mixing station and was thinking of doing a 50/50 split of NSW and synthetic. Or does everyone think I would be better served to continue with the NSW until I see how the Vodka plays out?
Brett
After getting my rear end kicked around battling self-induced water quality issues for most of the summer I seem to have been gifted with the gift that keeps on giving.... CYANO.
About 2 months worth now give or take. I have siphoned the stuff, I have blasted it with water flow, I have even vigilantly tried attacking every last speck of fish poop I could get my hands on and still it remains.
So I decided to toss my hat into the Vodka dosing ring.
Here are my particulars:
My tank is 300 gal custom acrylic with an Deltec AP702 gravity fed skimmer running relatively wet. Water movement is compliments of 2 Eheim 1262's for my returns and 4 Vortechs on one end of the tank. I run a 2" sand bed of #3 aragonite that's hydrovac'd 2x monthly. I run filter socks that are changed out every 3-4 days. I also run a refugium with cheato on a 12 hour reverse photo period. Water changes are @ 30gals 2x/month w/ NSW (Catalina Water Co). Ca & ALk supplements are hand dosed with either Kent or Ocean Pure dry products. Lighting is 12x 80w T5.
Corals (that are left) are a rag-tag mix of SPS and LPS with a splattering of zoo's and Ricordeas. Fish load is comprised of 1 angel, 1 tang, 4 wrasses and 9 anthias.
Starting params:
Temp = 79.2
Salinty 1.025 (refrac calibrated 3 months ago)
NO3 = <10ppm to 10ppm (Salifert & API)
PO4 = .25 maybe? hard to tell (Elos)
Ca = 400 (Elos)
Mag = 1260 (Salifert)
Alk = 8.3KH / 2.97 Meq/L (Salifert
pH = 8.1 - 8.2 (API)
On 10/10 I began dosing 1.5ml of 80% Vodka in the evenings.
On day 4 (10/14) I sent a water sample off to AquariumWaterTesting.com and received the following results:
Amnonia (NH3-4) .009
Nitrite (NO2) .002
Nitrate (NO3) 0.5
Phos (PO4) .13
Silica (SiO2-3) 0.6 - High
Potassium (K) 302 - Low
Calcium (Ca) 439
Boron (B) 3.4
Moly (Mo) 0.1
Stron (Sr) 8.8
Mag (Mg) 1213
Iodine (I) .07
Copper (Cu) .02
Alk (meq/L) 3.19
By day 5 I began to notice my Cyano was no longer advancing.
Yesterday, (10/16/08) the start of day 7 I doubled my dose to 3ml splitting it up between AM & PM doses.
Today everything is still looking good, although I am starting to see a very fine dusting of cobweb like hair/strings on the acrylic walls starting at the sand bed and ending approx 6" up from the substrate. Cyano has retreated a bit from the higher points of my rock work, and the open areas of the substrate, but still has a strong hold on the lower parts of the rock and the sand immediately surrounding it. Zoos and Rics are still looking OK. Skimmer starting to smell a bit more than normal but I'm not seeing any difference in the color of the skimmate.
Overall I think I'm on the right track but I now have 2 questions for everyone.
1. Should I maintain my current dose of 3.0 ml for a while longer, or go ahead and bump it up by another .5ml when the time comes?
2. I've just finished setting up a salt mixing station and was thinking of doing a 50/50 split of NSW and synthetic. Or does everyone think I would be better served to continue with the NSW until I see how the Vodka plays out?
Brett
Last edited:
Putawaywet, if you have 0.13 PO4 you may want to look at running GFO. If you have an algae problem in your tank, I would increase the dose. If you do not 0.5mL NO3 is getting down there in levels and I would look at maintaining for a bit to see if that cobweb material disappears.
dvanacker, where were your nitrates at the beginning of dosing? Did they drop at all? What proof vodka are you using? Do you run a DSB? How long has your tank been setup (skimmer size, sump, refugium)? Do you have algae issues?
dvanacker, where were your nitrates at the beginning of dosing? Did they drop at all? What proof vodka are you using? Do you run a DSB? How long has your tank been setup (skimmer size, sump, refugium)? Do you have algae issues?
dvanacker
DID I SOUNDS SMRT??
I've been dosing since August. My trates have not droped really....maybe a little. They were around 25ppm and they may be 20ppm right now (tested today with salifert) but I have been extra diligent on keeping the system clean.
I have no trouble algae but do have caulurpa in the refuge. My tank is BB but I added a RDSB a month or more ago to see if I can help the problem. The vodka is 40% or 80proof.
Basically the vodka has done nothing in my mind. What is wrong? I must have used a liter by now.
I have no trouble algae but do have caulurpa in the refuge. My tank is BB but I added a RDSB a month or more ago to see if I can help the problem. The vodka is 40% or 80proof.
Basically the vodka has done nothing in my mind. What is wrong? I must have used a liter by now.
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