My adventure into vodka dosing ...

[asl4me76]

I had waited for Murray's presentation on vodka dosing prior to starting my own adventure. I wanted to see what his presentation was all about! I'm glad I didn't miss it either, it was definitely something worth seeing.

I thought I would document my adventure into this new realm: vodka dosing. I'm excited, but very nervous. I'm hoping I don't have to do any of this :doctor: attention to my tank.

I will edit this post later to show you what my tank looks like now, and what corals I will be using for guides in my tank.

I have taken the assumption that I am going to be dosing for a 40gal system. Seeing as how my sump is 20gal tall and my DT is a 40gal breeder with approximately 30-50 lbs of rock in there. Any photos that I have taken have not been altered in any way, as I want a true representation of my system.

I'll also post later on what my parameters have been and etc.

I am using this link to guide me through my vodka dosing regime, along with the documentation that Murray has posted.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

I started my little adventure into this dosing business at 4:15pm this afternoon. I calculated that I should be dosing .2ml a day for the first 3 days. At 4:15pm, 01/17/2010 I introduced .1ml to my sump. This morning at 2:30am, I will introduce the other half to my system. I am injecting the return area as it has a flow rate there due to the return.

I will be taking monthly photos of the entire tank. However, I will attempt to take bi-weekly photos of the corals I will be watching for indicators that something is going wrong.

Here is the vodka I am dosing McCormick Vodka Quadruple Distilled, 80 Proof.

Here is the syringe that I am using to measure my dosage with as well:

*** This was cut and copied from another forum. ***

 

[asl4me76]

As promised in my original post, I would get my water parameters posted for everyone to see. I have been using google documents to update my spreadsheet of water parameters. I have been using this to help me get started on my dosing.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tPlwHIoW3zUUVKcXcFUANmg&output=html

I will be starting another spreadsheet with my vodka dosing regime. On it, I will include the times of my doses, the date, the amount of each dose. Now, I will be dividing my daily dose into two different doses as to not shock the system.

Here are the photos that I promised. I will not doctor any photos at all, as that would only hurt me in this process.

Here are a few of the corals that I will be watching and updating on the thread, for you to see my results.

Pretty In Pink Millepora Frags

ORA Red Planet

Tri Color Plana

 

[asl4me76]

Now, I also thought I would take some photos of some problem areas in my tank as well. This is only the fair thing to do as well, as a far off distant photo won't necessarily show you a lot of my ugliness.

As time goes by, I will be updating photos of these problem areas as well. This way, we are all able to get a fair representation of how my tank responds to having a little something to get drunk off of :celeb1:

 

[rsuplido]

I've been dosing for more than 4 months now on my 30G. Here's a thread about it: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1763808

Good luck!

EDIT: I'm using the same vodka.

 

[asl4me76]

I've been dosing for more than 4 months now on my 30G. Here's a thread about it: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1763808

Good luck!

EDIT: I'm using the same vodka.

The test kits that I currently have are reading 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates. So, I will be definitely moving slow and not rushing things. I don't want to burn anything in the tank and etc. I like you will be logging my results in the spreadsheets, for those to see. I'm scared about having to watch how things in my tank respond vs. having a test result to show me things are going

I also thought it was important to take photos of the problem areas in my tank, this way folks can see I am starting this with issues in my tank and my results will be not be immediate and something they can visibly see.

 

[Genetics]

asl4me76, nice starting information. You didn't specify too much about your sump and skimmer situation. Maybe some info on your current water movement? Just some thoughts ;-)

rsuplido, nicely cataloged!

 

[asl4me76]

asl4me76, nice starting information. You didn't specify too much about your sump and skimmer situation. Maybe some info on your current water movement? Just some thoughts ;-)

rsuplido, nicely cataloged!

I will get some photos of my sump for everyone to see, and I'll post them tomorrow.

Currently for my skimmer, I am using a Pacific Suncoast skimmer rated for 125gal. I am currently using a QuietOne2200 for the return, which may be switched in the future to an Eheim, not sure. I am currently dosing as well, pickling lime into my skimmer section to help with keeping my levels stable. In the skimmer section, I also have employed a titanium heater. Tomorrow again, I'll get some photos posted.

For water flow in the tank, I am using a K3 (not in the photos above, as I took it out to mix me some salt, I am down a pump somehow), and an MP10 in there as well .

 

[asl4me76]

As promised to Genetics, I took a photo of my sump layout. This would give everyone an idea of what I'm running and etc. My spouse emptied out the skimmer up yesterday afternoon around 2:00pm, this is how much skimmate I have since starting my vodka dosing.

 

[asl4me76]

I have been reading reports that we may need to dose amino acid to help with coloration. With this being the case, I want to go ahead and prepare myself. Can someone please give me the name of a good AA please?

Thanks!

 

[asl4me76]

Here is the spreadsheet that I have put together thus far for my vodka dosing regime. The spreadsheet link will automatically update anytime I make a change to it, so it is not something that will continually change.

I hope you enjoy!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=t_ZalGaRVp-hPsQRW9pbMLQ&output=html

 

[asl4me76]

So, I am venturing into my third day of dosing. My nerves have settled a bit, compared to where they were before. I kept having this reoccurring dream that I would wake up and all my corals would be melted. Some of this stemmed from fear that I would do something wrong, and for this I am realistic enough to know that if I follow the instructions that Nate and others have outlined then I am good to go. Now, does this leave a margin of error - sure it does. Could I still melt my tank, sure I could. The better question is, do I think I will? The answer is obviously, no I don't think I will.

With that being said, I have been looking at my tank thoroughly since I have started dosing. Paying attention to little details that some often overlook. I check out the polyp extention on my corals. I am checking for coloration of my corals, the cyano, some of the algaes and etc.

Now, this is what I can report for day 3 of vodka dosing. One my corals, I am definitely noticing more PE (polyp extention) on the corals. My blue tip tenius is definitely showing a little more blue. Now, the color variation on the blue tip could be due to me changing the lighting around and playing with it some, or not. Only time will tell.

 

[StrategicReef]

So, I am venturing into my third day of dosing. My nerves have settled a bit, compared to where they were before. I kept having this reoccurring dream that I would wake up and all my corals would be melted.

I have this dream almost every night that I have to wake up nd check on the tank, I have dosed for a couple months already.. a little vodka to yourself seems to help
:thumbsup:

 

[Guygettnby]

its good you are keeping a log on this all. i myself am now on day 5 of dosing vodka and i noticed some changes aswell. but the only bad things i have noticed is my skimmer just started acting all crazy since i uped my dosage from .2ml to .4ml

have you noticed anything like this with your skimmer yet? i am getting massive micro bubbles myself, wich i have never been bothered with while i have owned my ASM skimmer.

 

[asl4me76]

I have this dream almost every night that I have to wake up nd check on the tank, I have dosed for a couple months already.. a little vodka to yourself seems to help
:thumbsup:

If I was a drinker, then I would definitely be taking a few extra hits. It'd be like a shot for the tank and a shot for the owner! I, however, have been keeping my sanity with thinking that it is going to make things better in my tank!

its good you are keeping a log on this all. i myself am now on day 5 of dosing vodka and i noticed some changes aswell. but the only bad things i have noticed is my skimmer just started acting all crazy since i uped my dosage from .2ml to .4ml

have you noticed anything like this with your skimmer yet? i am getting massive micro bubbles myself, wich i have never been bothered with while i have owned my ASM skimmer.

Guy - thanks for the compliment. I thought it was important for me to catalogue my adventure into this to maybe help someone else out, to learn something new, to expand my information on the reefing hobby and etc. I have only been in this hobby a year. So, time to tell

I generally run my skimmer wet anyways, but yes .. I have noticed an increase in the amount of skimmate that my skimmer is producing compared to before.

You saw a photo of how much skimmate was in my skimmer yesterday, and here are today's results.

 

[StrategicReef]

On a serious note, I am using ELOS Omega Amino acid, you don't need it yet right now. The ELOS is easy to dose with a dropper.

Also, my advice is do not let nitrate go down to 0. Try to go down to 1-2ppm, then adjust dosage (less) and hold it there. It's the same as looking out for the "undetectable", except you raised that expectation from 0 to 2ppm. Unless you like your corals really pale colored there is no need to go down to 0.

Currently I have adjusted my dose so I have less of the white slimy stuff and I also can control my nitrates via feeding and AA so it hovers around 1PPM.

 

[asl4me76]

On a serious note, I am using ELOS Omega Amino acid, you don't need it yet right now. The ELOS is easy to dose with a dropper.

Also, my advice is do not let nitrate go down to 0. Try to go down to 1-2ppm, then adjust dosage (less) and hold it there. It's the same as looking out for the "undetectable", except you raised that expectation from 0 to 2ppm. Unless you like your corals really pale colored there is no need to go down to 0.

Currently I have adjusted my dose so I have less of the white slimy stuff and I also can control my nitrates via feeding and AA so it hovers around 1PPM.

I haven't noticed any white slimey stuff at this point. I definitely am keeping a look out for it.

Now, I have been reading 0 on nitrates since I set the tank up. Now, I know I have to have some in there because I have some algae growth going on. Which can be seen in the photos, which is why I took those to help me log what I'm experiencing. Most of that algae is bryopsis, so it is something I have been working on raising my levels for Mg for. I'm using Kent Tech-M to rid myself of some bryopsis. However, aside from currently reading 0 on both NO3 and PO4 .. I will have to keep an eye out on things in my tank to see how they are responding to the vodka.

I haven't gotten anything yet for the AA. I am going to be getting something here soon. How is the Elos Omega AA working out for ya? Do you like it?

 

[StrategicReef]

I can see your corals seemed a bit pale already.
Your algae growing is probably due to a phospate issue. maybe you can add some GFO?
Eventually it should go away along with your techM routine.. I actually ordered some potassium nitrate and might have to dose back some nitrate.

The ELOS is ok, I have to dose quite a lot to get the corals to color up.
I am switching to probidio reef booster when this one is done, no particular reason just that it was recommended to me

 

[StrategicReef]

also I got rid of my chaeto, don't need it. Saved money on my utility, and it was also making my sump and skimmer look like a mess with the light there, also it grew other algae and help them reproduce into the display.

I would say your chaeto might be too big and maybe going into a continuous dying cycle and release the nutrient back for your byopsis to use.

 

[asl4me76]

I can see your corals seemed a bit pale already.
Your algae growing is probably due to a phospate issue. maybe you can add some GFO?
Eventually it should go away along with your techM routine.. I actually ordered some potassium nitrate and might have to dose back some nitrate.

The ELOS is ok, I have to dose quite a lot to get the corals to color up.
I am switching to probidio reef booster when this one is done, no particular reason just that it was recommended to me

If you are referring to the corals that I am going to be using for judgement purposes, they were just introduced into my tank. I just got those in from madfragsonline.com. They were having a year end sale, and I had to take advantage of some of their sale prices. Please also take into consideration, I am not the best photo person either. I suck at taking some photos, but I have been practicing and getting better slowly.

On the Pink Mille, you can definitely see it brightening up more than what it was before. It's showing a little more pink then what it was before.

When we had the presentation on carbon dosing and etc., the person who gave the presentation recommended that I dose vodka along with the probidio. I haven't made my mind up just yet, but still contemplating what it is that I am going to do as far as that goes.

 

[asl4me76]

Day 4 reporting in!

Day 4 reporting in!

So today is my 4th day in. I have finished the first days of dosage of .2 ml for the entire day (Days 1-3). I am now venturing into Days 4-7, in which my dosing doubles from .2ml per day to .4ml per day for the next 4 days. Because of the increased amount, I am still a little nervous, but nothing like it was before. I'm sure as time goes by and the amount of dosing is increased the nerves will kick back up.

I do have a question for vodka dosers though, it is said to start increasing the amount that you feed once you find your maintenance dose, correct? I just don't want to go jung ho into this thinking I can just start over feeding, in which I can't.

I have been also watching my micro algae (cheato), and I haven't noticed any differences as of yet. I will continue to monitor it to make sure all is well in the neighborhood.

Yesterday, I reported that I have been noticing some crazy PE since I have started dosing. Today, well yesterday .. but none the less I have noticed that my red acan is more plump than before. So, I am noticing differences in all corals, not just my SPS.

Now, on another front .. I have been noticing less cyano in some places gathering. I have to siphon out what is currently in there, but ... I haven't seen anymore develop, so that's a good thing as well.