Been following this for a few days. I wish I found it sooner but its been awile since I've been on here. Going to start MB7 this week for 2 weeks. Has anyone tried the BW Bio-Fuel instead of vodka? Seems to make sense using both of their products. Been using their 2 part and mag for a while now with no problems. Just curious.
My Bacteria Driven Journey
- Thread starter Tswifty
- Start date
newsalt
Active member
Just throwing a bump out there again wondering if I should start vodka dosing based on what is shown in my photos.:wavehand:
Thanks
Tswifty
New member
I haven't experienced that type of algae in my system so I cannot really comment... I would look to get a proper ID on the algae first. A little more information/history on your setup would also be helpful... I know your dosing MB7... but info on the total system volume, filtration (skimmer), other additives, etc...
However, I will say that if the algae came on "after" you began dosing something, then I would not add something else into the mix and either decrease or stop the product you were dosing before you noticed the algae until it subsides.
The main types of algae I was battling were Green Hair Algae, Green Bubble Algae, and Maroon Turf Algae.
newsalt
Active member
Here's some info on my system:
180g Display
55g Sump
Total System Volume: Approx 198g.
Skimmer: MRC MR-2 with two beckett injectors.
Calcium Reactor: MRC CR-2
Dosing: MB7 @ 4 drops/day & Kent's Lugol's @ 1 drop/day.
Lighting: 72" Aquactinics Constellation T5 fixture.
Salt: Red Sea Coral Pro
Just this morning I started dosing vodka at half the recommended amount.
Thanks
Newsalt...aside from a couple of peices of equipment out set ups are almost identical and we are doing the same amounts of things too...AND use the same salt!! I too have had that marroon algae come up on some of my rocks, but in the last few days some of my hermits...have absolutely been taking it out!!! I mean it, they are eating it down to the white rock underneath.,..I got them through reefscavengers... I will look again to see what kind they are for sure...
what bulbs are you running in your Constellation again???
how much vodka are you dosing now?
what bulbs are you running in your Constellation again???
how much vodka are you dosing now?
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Tswitfty: First, I should say great progress! It's always encouraging to see someone beat a problem in their system and not give up. The tank is beautiful! :thumbsup:
Here's a question:
Why do you only dose Lugol's once a week? I've always thought that Lugol's solution was a great additive, but it depletes quite fast, meaning you'd have to dose at a higher frequency than something like Tech-I. I'd love to hear your input.
Here's a question:
Why do you only dose Lugol's once a week? I've always thought that Lugol's solution was a great additive, but it depletes quite fast, meaning you'd have to dose at a higher frequency than something like Tech-I. I'd love to hear your input.
newsalt, I just looked and the hermits are either the brown stripe or the thin stripe....also the dwarf white legs do a great job, they are just so small that you need alot of them...in fact, I think I am going to order some more of both of these...
tamthapluc
New member
Tswitfty, I've been watching this thread from begining and you got my vote too.
Question please: how many long spine urchin you have in the tank now? My tank is also all covered with the red turf algea and the gang of 5 turbo snails doesn't help at all.
Question please: how many long spine urchin you have in the tank now? My tank is also all covered with the red turf algea and the gang of 5 turbo snails doesn't help at all.
aquariumclown
New member
I used 2 small ones (about 1 inch at the center) for my 150gal and it worked great cleaning up all the rocks in just 2 months. They grow fast so try to get smallest ones you can find.
question for someone...I have a 75 gallon with a 20 gallon sump. I have some small areas that have some green turf type algea but only on a few of the rocks. Every week or so i get an some red slime algea on my rocks due to lack of flow, but aside from that I dont think I have a huge problem with algea. I was still thinking of trying the MB7 to see if it will knock out my algea issues. All my testing is spot on and was wondering if I should do the high or low concentration of MB7.
tamthapluc
New member
Aquariumclown, Thank you very much for your reply. Definately, i'll get one for my tank (RSM250)
saltygeek
New member
Not likely the issue but 4 drops a day of MB7 seems too low...
newsalt
Active member
Directions on the bottle for Low Nutrient Systems is 1 drop/50 gallons daily. I have approx. 200g of net water volume, so 200g/50g = 4
minireef30
New member
Will this system work the same with a BB tank?
I don't have HA or bubble but there is some type
of dark green, almost black slime/cyno in my tank.
Not a lot, but noticeable on the cutting board bottom.
I don't have HA or bubble but there is some type
of dark green, almost black slime/cyno in my tank.
Not a lot, but noticeable on the cutting board bottom.
Tswifty
New member
There are many different systems and forms of carbon/bacteria dosing out there. Personally, I have only used Vodka as my carbon source. It's cheap, effective, and my results haven't suggested a need to look elsewhere.
For more insight on the Brightwell Line, I would recommend checking out some of the Neo-Zeo threads.
Thank you.Tswitfty: First, I should say great progress! It's always encouraging to see someone beat a problem in their system and not give up. The tank is beautiful! :thumbsup:
Here's a question:
Why do you only dose Lugol's once a week? I've always thought that Lugol's solution was a great additive, but it depletes quite fast, meaning you'd have to dose at a higher frequency than something like Tech-I. I'd love to hear your input.
I personally do not test for Ioding levels in my tank so I was cautious to begin adding something I do not test regularly for. Also, earlier in the thread I was cautioned about using Lugol's by some other hobbyists. I may up my dosage at some point, but don't plan on increasing it beyond a once a week dosage, as I'm only operating with about a 50 gallon total system volume.
Thank you.
I only have 1 small Longspine Urchin in the tank right now. I'm not sure if more than 1 would even fit in the tank. :lol:
When in doubt, it's always better to error on the side of caution.
I worked with "drops" as my initial daily dose. However, when I measured out the weekly "ml" recommendation versus the drops I was adding, I was FAR below. I dose 1 ml per day to my 50g system. It's a bit above the weekly recommendation, but I have not seen any adverse effects.
Carbon/Bacteria dosing should be effective regardless of the substrate (or lack of substrate).
