My Bacteria Driven Journey
- Thread starter Tswifty
- Start date
Rodrigo_BG
New member
nice
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Aqua Keepers
New member
Tswifty, this is the makings of a great thread. I think it would help others if you explained the reason for dosing each product.
i.e. what role does Microbacter7 play? How about the Kent Lugol's Solution?
i.e. what role does Microbacter7 play? How about the Kent Lugol's Solution?
Tswifty
New member
Glad to hear you've had a positive experience with it.
I think figuring out the vodka maintenance dose is going to be a rather difficult... and that's something I haven't really investigated in depth yet. I'll be using PO4 values rather than NO3, and NO3 is known to drop much more rapidly than PO4 initially. Also, I think a lot is going to come from simply observing my tank, and watching for subtle changes as I progress.
Thank you.
Thanks for the kind words.
Microbacter7 - When used in combination with Vodka it seems to be a great weapon for combating nuisance algae. Also, the MB7 helps out compete forms of bad bacteria that can pop up when dosing a carbon source (vodka).
Kent Lugol's - Supposed to bring out the blue's in a tank, and help with the overall health of corals.
Aqua Keepers
New member
Tswifty, I know what all the stuff you plan on dosing is for. However, I am sure others peeking at this thread have no idea what some of this stuff is for, nor why you should dose one before the other.
trueblackpercula
New member
Ok so for a Re-Cap I think is in order.
Vodka plus MB7 is for algea/NandP control
Kent Lugol's - Supposed to bring out the blue's in a tank, and help with the overall health of corals.
Brightwell Aquatics CoralAmino I have no idea what's this for can someone please comment on this additive and tell us what it does for the tank. I have a bottle of AA by Elos and was told not to use it with vodka dosing at this time. Is this coral feed and if so does it affect nitrate or po4? Does cyno show up on the sand bed? Elos is a brand that I use and they sell something that is the same as Brightwell Aquatics CoralAmino. Please anyone that is using this post some facts/pictures for all us to see and read.
Thanks
Michael Anthony
p.s. Sonny if it was not for you I think I would have traded the tank in for a freshwater discus tank the way things were going. Just want to say thanks again for the help and the insperational motivation I so despratly needed,
your loyal reef buddy trueblackpercula
Vodka plus MB7 is for algea/NandP control
Kent Lugol's - Supposed to bring out the blue's in a tank, and help with the overall health of corals.
Brightwell Aquatics CoralAmino I have no idea what's this for can someone please comment on this additive and tell us what it does for the tank. I have a bottle of AA by Elos and was told not to use it with vodka dosing at this time. Is this coral feed and if so does it affect nitrate or po4? Does cyno show up on the sand bed? Elos is a brand that I use and they sell something that is the same as Brightwell Aquatics CoralAmino. Please anyone that is using this post some facts/pictures for all us to see and read.
Thanks
Michael Anthony
p.s. Sonny if it was not for you I think I would have traded the tank in for a freshwater discus tank the way things were going. Just want to say thanks again for the help and the insperational motivation I so despratly needed,
your loyal reef buddy trueblackpercula
Aqua Keepers
New member
Michael, you can look at AA's as food for corals. Just keep in mind that too much of any food will raise PO4. The stuff you have is just a different brand. You were probably told not to use it because you had no signs of needing it. A sign of needing it in an ULNS is corals losing color.
trueblackpercula
New member
Yup I was told to hold off until it was needed. Here is a description of what it ia for and does according to the web page. I like all there products but the sure are expensive.
Elos Omega was the first amino acid integrator available to the market. Does not contain phosphate based preservatives. Normally amino acids are supplied to corals by feeding on plankton, bacterial plankton and "œmicro" plankton that is usually absent in an aquarium. Amino acids are also supplied by the zooxantellae, mono-cellular algae, which is included in the endoderm cells of the corals and lives symbiotically with many coral species. This provides the coral with glycerin, amino acids and carbohydrates. Unfortunately in some aquariums this activity is reduced, sometimes intentionally. In our original studies we observed that the use of selected amino acids and vitamins is a much more effective and convenient way of replicating the function of zoo-plankton in the aquarium. Certain corals, mainly SPS, respond very quickly to the combination of Omega and Pro Skimmer.
Elos Omega was the first amino acid integrator available to the market. Does not contain phosphate based preservatives. Normally amino acids are supplied to corals by feeding on plankton, bacterial plankton and "œmicro" plankton that is usually absent in an aquarium. Amino acids are also supplied by the zooxantellae, mono-cellular algae, which is included in the endoderm cells of the corals and lives symbiotically with many coral species. This provides the coral with glycerin, amino acids and carbohydrates. Unfortunately in some aquariums this activity is reduced, sometimes intentionally. In our original studies we observed that the use of selected amino acids and vitamins is a much more effective and convenient way of replicating the function of zoo-plankton in the aquarium. Certain corals, mainly SPS, respond very quickly to the combination of Omega and Pro Skimmer.
Tswifty
New member
Gotcha... and that's a good suggestion. Like I said, I'm still in the "waiting" mode right now. Once my supplies arrive I'll do a recap and walk through of everything I intend to do along with my reasoning.
The main purpose of the thread thus far was just to get my plan out in the open for those who are experienced with this type of system to review. That way any concerns could be addressed prior to starting.
I still consider myself far from an expert (
), as this will be my first attempt with a carbon/bacteria dosing. However after LOTS of reading, I feel like I have a decent grasp on the concepts which drive this type of system. It's my goal, and hopefully with the help of other RC members, this thread will serve as a good step by step guide on how to "successfully" implement this type of system.
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Tswifty
New member
Got a delivery from Salty Critter today. 
Water parameters from today:
The Magnesium number is a bit skewed, because I dosed earlier this morning. It usually doesn't run that high, and I aim in the 1400-1440 ppm range. Phosphates as we sort of guessed were undetectable with the Salifert PO4 kit. So it looks as if I'm going to need to either purchase or borrow a Hanna Photometer in order to get an accurate reading. Also, after making an adjustment to my CO2 bubble rate a few days ago, it looks like the Alkalinity has dropped down into the target range for Vodka dosing. I'll continue to monitor it over the weekend to see if it stabilizes there or continues to drop. If all goes well I plan on starting my first dose of Microbacter7 and the Kent Marine Lugol's Solution on Monday.
Water parameters from today:
The Magnesium number is a bit skewed, because I dosed earlier this morning. It usually doesn't run that high, and I aim in the 1400-1440 ppm range. Phosphates as we sort of guessed were undetectable with the Salifert PO4 kit. So it looks as if I'm going to need to either purchase or borrow a Hanna Photometer in order to get an accurate reading. Also, after making an adjustment to my CO2 bubble rate a few days ago, it looks like the Alkalinity has dropped down into the target range for Vodka dosing. I'll continue to monitor it over the weekend to see if it stabilizes there or continues to drop. If all goes well I plan on starting my first dose of Microbacter7 and the Kent Marine Lugol's Solution on Monday.
Tswifty
New member
Thank you. At this time I do not plan on using the ZEOStones. Is there an added benefit to running them along with the MB7/Vodka?
Honestly, I really haven't looked into Prodibio that much. However, it looks as if it has to be dosed all at once, while the MB7 can be dosed daily. It may be something I take a look at down the road, but not at this time.
