OK! Enough chat...Starting a 1000g+ Reef

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Actually the sugar feeds the bacteria which feeds on nitrate and phosphate hence starving out the algae. You can do the same with another carbon source like vodka or vinegar.

Be careful dosing that stuff though. If you overdose it, there may be a bacterial bloom that could suck up all the O2 in your tank. I had that happened to me once.



D.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10731987#post10731987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
The deal with the sugar is that it is supposed to feed bacteria that will consume the algae, but I have no solid links. I just saw how Sherman's tank was improving and have read quite a few posts about doing it. I am guessing it is a carbon source, but not totally sure.

Tom (Sparkss) is doing it as well.
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Yea, it is basically a carbon source to help certain bacteria that also consume nitrates and phosphates, but are carbon limited so they can't "thrive" and eat up our trates. We dose a couple of teaspoons M/W/F mornings. I forget the exact dosage, but (and you will love this) it is approximately 1 flat full shot glass of sugar each dose for our 380g. It is also important to build up the dosage, almost as much as not overdosing and having an over-rated skimmer to compensate for the oxygen drop and also pull out the newly spawned bacteria (taking the trates with them). Most all crashes I have read about related to sugar/vodka dosing were due to an inadequate skimmer.

As an fyi, Energy also doses sugar. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10733331#post10733331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dhnguyen
Actually the sugar feeds the bacteria which feeds on nitrate and phosphate hence starving out the algae. You can do the same with another carbon source like vodka or vinegar.

Be careful dosing that stuff though. If you overdose it, there may be a bacterial bloom that could suck up all the O2 in your tank. I had that happened to me once.



D.
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You were posting while I was typing :D

Basically what he said is all dead on :)
 
I was reading about this whole "dosing sugar" thing over in the chemistry forum and it really seems like a god send for some folks...it is amazing that something so simply could really help some people get a nitrate problem under control even after things such as frequent water changes, siphoning off detritus, etc. don't seem to help...

Any idea of where to start...say, a per gallon or per 10g measurement?
 
well when I was dosing it I was doing 1/2 tablespoon every couple of days for my 55g.

I would suggest start out small though and then work your way up.


D.
 
There is alot out there about this topic. There will probably be more telling you it's a bad idea than a good one. Whatever you decide you should read up on it ALOT before you begin and start out slow. I wouldn't go over 1/4 teaspoon per 100 gallons at start. To reiterate you need a top notch skimmer to even try this. If you have to ask, then it isn't enough.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10738613#post10738613 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sherm71tank
To reiterate you need a top notch skimmer to even try this.
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Why the heck is Jonathan even attempting it? :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10738711#post10738711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mrcrab
Why the heck is Jonathan even attempting it? :D
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Hey Jonathan, maybe you should send mrcrab some skimmate in a beer bottle for him to sample! :thumbsup:

The skimmate smells alot like roses. When it produces any that is. :lol:
 
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ouch. that hurts! :lol:

Tank is doing OK. Still a little cloudy and I am getting the average 1g/day of coffee out of my skimmer. I will be stepping up my neck cleaning though as part of my cleanup plan.

Had a acro coral RTN in two days. It was about the size of a papaya and had encrusted onto three rocks. There is no way I can actually remove it now. Anyway, I am taking some hits and it's not fun. But, I think I have avoided a crash so I feel good about that.

I can't remember if I mentioned it already but I installed a Solenoid Valve Controller (Liquid Level Controller) for my RO/DI system and it is sweet. I got some nice hand-holding from Scott at SpectraPure and this unit is perfect for my needs. I actually used the power adapter for my pressure pump instead of the included one, and it turns the power on and off to the pump, as well as the solenoid valve to control incoming water flow.

I have asked Scott about a secondary solenoid on a timer to route the first 10 minutes of effluent to the drain rather than the holding tank, to avoid the TDS "creep" of startup. Maybe someone following this thread can pass along ideas for combining that into the LLC?

Anyway, I am very pleased with the LLC as well as the service provided by SpectraPure. They may not be the least expensive, but they certainly make up for it in service and talent. Scott really understands the needs of reef keepers!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10738832#post10738832 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sherm71tank
Hey Jonathan, maybe you should send mrcrab some skimmate in a beer bottle for him to sample! :thumbsup:

You have to leave the room when he empties the collection bucket it smells so bad.
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Quit blaming your farts on my skimmate. No one is going to buy that! :lol:
 
Oh Yeah, and Dahn, that frag I got for you is completely encrusted onto the rocks now, so I don't think it can be removed in one piece. We'll see when you get your tank up, but there is plenty on the parent colony anyway. My coral colonies that are not affected by the current issue are growing up to be nice and big! :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10738832#post10738832 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sherm71tank
Hey Jonathan, maybe you should send mrcrab some skimmate in a beer bottle for him to sample! :thumbsup:

The skimmate smells alot like roses. When it produces any that is. :lol:
Click to expand...

Stop messing with my posts!
 
You guys are great! I can't stand the threads that take themselves too seriosly you can't even have a joke or a laugh.

Jonathan, you're a very good sport.
 
You are too strange Sherman...you know that no one gets you right?

And Barry, you think I am a good sport? How about I tell everyone about that stupid shirt you're wearing? Seriously, throw that thing out.
 
 
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