Lets talk about Vodka/sugar dosing

[Psionicdragon]

Yes, are you relatively new to dosing? White stringy material can sometimes occur in the tank but most users report that they find it growing in their sumps or in canisters with filtration media. If you have detectable nitrates and phosphates this may be a little over growth from the dosing resulting in these stringy substances. Once your tank is in balance and the nitrate/phosphate levels have decreased the amount of stringy snot should also subside.

Thanks and no. I have been dosing for a long time, but never experienced the white snot before.

 

[Husky_1]

Mine is not so much white snot, as its more like a brown snot, not a brown as diatoms, and usually a bit stringier...Any thoughts?

I have stopped dosing everything (bacteria/Koral Color) except for 2 drops of Vodka vinegar solution.

The only other thing that changed in my tank was my sandbed getting a bit rearranged after I cleaned my maximods. But its been going on for the better part of a month now.

 

[syedjilani]

Can i dose sugar and vinegar to reduce No3 and Po4..

Can i dose sugar and vinegar to reduce No3 and Po4..

Hi guys,

I have just upgraded my 120 Gallon mixed reef to 300Gallon mixed reef. This is the link of my thread.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1849903

Currently I am facing No3 and PO4 problem. Being living in Saudi Arabia, where Vodka or any alcoholic stuff is highly prohibited to buy, and sale need special permit to sale and buy, which is not possible for me to obtain from the MOH…. if someone found with any kind of alcohol or drug, 100% penalty of death.

since this topic in too long and difficult to read all posts to find out may be some one use Sugar and vinegar successfully. So sorry to ask again “ can i use Sugar mix with natural white vinegar to control NO3 and PO4".

If can how much the dose and quantity of both Sugar and Vinegar should I use.

Your suggestion will be highly appreciated.

 

[Safedad]

Carbon dosing

Carbon dosing

There are a wide variety of pellet carbon sources that have come onto the market this year. ATB, BRS, Aquarium Specialty, Warner Marine, and others are now offering these. they run in a reactor and last for months instead of dosing with VSV. I made a reactor out of a juice container and power it with a Maxi-jet 1200. I have about 750 ml in the reactor for my 90 gal mixed reef with large fish population. I have 0 nitrates and am working to get my phosphates down with GFO.
No alcohol in the pellets, no dosing either.

 

[biecacka]

how do the pellets stack up to vodka or vinegar dosing?

 

[chuckreef]

can i use Sugar mix with natural white vinegar to control NO3 and PO4".
If can how much the dose and quantity of both Sugar and Vinegar should I use.

Yes you can.
I suggest starting with just vinegar. You can read all the info on vodka dosing and folllow the same practices but use 8 ml vinegar for each 1 ml vodka. A good starting dose is about 0.1 to 0.2 ml vinegar per gallon of actual system water volume. Do not exceed 0.5 ml per gallon.

 

[biecacka]

chuckreef, are you saying .1 is a good starting point to start with vinegar? or vodka? then how often are you increasing?
corey

 

[Wind Seeker]

The issue with carbon dosing, IMHO, is any excess will be used by cyano and dino's. Thus, it is a balancing act. I used NP pellets and dove my No3 and PO4 down to .5 and .3respectfully. However, I suspect once the bacteria drives these 2 paramaters down to very low by consuming carbon their usage of carbon begins to slow thus causing a rise in carbon. This carbon rise is now consumed by dino's and cyano, which happed to me. I reduced the carbon source signifiacantly and my dino's died away. I needed chemiclean to rid my reef of the cyano however. So, I think carbon dosing works, but one must "dial it in" so as to avoid excessive amounts.