NO3:PO4-x conversion to vinegar
- Thread starter llandegfedd
- Start date
jason2459
Well-known member
I have to say, totally anecdotal here, that my system is looking amazing since switching to TMZ's vodka/vinegar mix. Anemones have been very full and my sand seems whiter. I also usually have cyano on my return that sticks the water a tiny bit and its gone
Couple screen shots I just took from my webcams
That return's tip was red up until recently
Rocks, sand, everything looks so much cleaner. It's weird.
I have no idea why I always have cyano on that return but there is a small tiny bit left on it but its turned to white stringy bacteria. Only place I had cyano so never bothered to remove it. Return just turned on so bacteria is floating on the surface which that's always happened. It'll get sucked back down the overflow soon.
This could all be temporary but its very interesting.
Couple screen shots I just took from my webcams
That return's tip was red up until recently
Rocks, sand, everything looks so much cleaner. It's weird.
I have no idea why I always have cyano on that return but there is a small tiny bit left on it but its turned to white stringy bacteria. Only place I had cyano so never bothered to remove it. Return just turned on so bacteria is floating on the surface which that's always happened. It'll get sucked back down the overflow soon.
This could all be temporary but its very interesting.
I used a diy sulfur denitrator( cost about $100) which knocked them down from the 50ppm plus range to less than 5ppm in two weeks. The system was then 500 gallons which made a large water change undesireable.
Alternatively, I'd remove all detritus possible via siphoning; cut back on feeding a bit for a couple of weeks. When the carbon dose is amped up to about half the maintenance dose , if NO3 is not falling, I'd do some water changes ,say 4 or 5 at 20% over a week to knock them down. By then the organic carbon should be adequate to keep them down. Monitoring NO3 and PO4 along the way.
RobTheReefer
Moved Elsewhere
Send your nitrate to me. I dose enough to add 2ppm to 90-100 gallons and it's undetectable within 24 hours. lol
jason2459
Well-known member
What have you been using to supplement the nitrates?
RobTheReefer
Moved Elsewhere
FloraGro (sodium nitrate) for now, but I'm thinking of buying some lab-grade off amazon to save some cash.
*edit* FlorinGro NOT FloraGro!
My fault.
Last edited:
Rybren
Well-known member
So I use this ...
costs $21.50 (plus 13% tax) for 4L.
Dennis
Dennis,
Are you still using this stuff? If so, did you get it online or from a local marina?
Thanks
Yup, I am just about to finish off the first 2 L batch of NOPOX I mixed up using it. The jug of stove fuel will last years. I purchased it from a marine supply just south of the QEW in Etobicoke. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the store. I see that the manufacturer is now selling it on its website. Keep in mind that it is considered a dangerous good for shipping, so it can be hard (and expensive) to ship.
Oh, I just wandered around on Google street view and Klaus Marine is in the right area and looks like the place were I bought it. They had to order it in for me, and I picked it up.
Dennis
biecacka
Active member
tmz,
I am up to 4ml vodka and 10ml of vinegar with no signs of bacterial blooms. I'm getting ready to up the dose to 6/15 tomorrow. I'm bumping up 2/5 each week for a month to get to 9/20 as suggested. No real changes in much but I know it's super early in fact it's only 2 weeks into trying it.
I do have my eyes open looking for a DIY suffer denitrator for sale or something.
Corey
I am up to 4ml vodka and 10ml of vinegar with no signs of bacterial blooms. I'm getting ready to up the dose to 6/15 tomorrow. I'm bumping up 2/5 each week for a month to get to 9/20 as suggested. No real changes in much but I know it's super early in fact it's only 2 weeks into trying it.
I do have my eyes open looking for a DIY suffer denitrator for sale or something.
Corey
jason2459
Well-known member
Interesting I had to look up what is artificial or synthetic vinegar. So, basically if it's not fermented from ethanol or sugar then it can't be called vinegar. If it's derived from petrol it can be called imitation, artificial or synthetic vinegar or just acetic acid.
Then there's food additive 260 which may or may not be from fermented ethanol or sugar.
http://accidental-greenie.blogspot.com/2014/09/about-vinegar-imitation-vinegar-acetic.html
So, I would check for any additives, flavorings, colorings, etc and it's potency.
Then there's food additive 260 which may or may not be from fermented ethanol or sugar.
http://accidental-greenie.blogspot.com/2014/09/about-vinegar-imitation-vinegar-acetic.html
So, I would check for any additives, flavorings, colorings, etc and it's potency.
Thanks for looking it up.
For clarification: I think the author of the linked article uses the term fermentation in a confusing way regarding the ethanol to acetic acid effect .
Sugars ferment to alcohol( ethanol,.eg.) or acids( acetic acid,e.g.) ;the process is anaerobic( in conditions lacking oxygen).
Aceterbacter(sic) ,actuully acetobacter are aerobic ( need oxygen) and oxidize the ethanol to acetic acid.
For clarification: I think the author of the linked article uses the term fermentation in a confusing way regarding the ethanol to acetic acid effect .
Sugars ferment to alcohol( ethanol,.eg.) or acids( acetic acid,e.g.) ;the process is anaerobic( in conditions lacking oxygen).
Aceterbacter(sic) ,actuully acetobacter are aerobic ( need oxygen) and oxidize the ethanol to acetic acid.
jason2459
Well-known member
Thanks, I figured it was all oxidation as that's what I normally see when researching the chemistry side of carbon source breakdown. They seemed to be focused more on "eco" friendly so that probably sounds better or more "natural." Don't think they were to concerned about the chemistry aspect of it.
