should I dose sugar?

[leeweber85]

So I hear all these things about people dosing sugar/vodka to cause a bacterial bloom and in the end lowering nitrates.

My nitrates seem to be stuck around 20 and phosphates usually low.... although it's been awhile since I've last tested.

Is there harm in trying it? What's the worse that could happen? What amount should you start dosing for a 75g?

thanks,
Lee

 

[wetWolger]

I have never heared of this but the idea to drop nitrates may work. I am not sure how much you would dose, and I would NOT use vodka. But if you were to dose sugar the worst thing I can think of that would happen would be a bacterial bloom and an injury to a fish gets infected. Honestly I think the idea of a bacterial infection for the fish/corals would be my biggest fear because that sugar is going to give the bacteria that extra kick if your fish is already trying to fight something off. Sorry I don't have any experince with such a method, just giving my intuition.

 

[Ochi]

Check the chemistry forum for a huge debate on it, but the idea is to provide a carbon source for the bacteria to use and reduce phosphorous and nitrate. It is said bacteria lack a carbon source by some in our tanks, and this is designed to provide that.

I have no experience either, just what I've read in that forum

 

[HotHotHot]

I did it and it does work, but...

It will cause a bacterial bloom which will lower disolved oxygen, which will stess everything in the tank.

I lost a large feather duster worm (which was shakey to begin with) but that's all.

Start real slow if you try it. I used corn syrup and used about 1/2ml per 100 gal to start.

After about 3 weeks of on/off dosing... 0 nitrates.

Just be prepared to look at your fish through milk if you dose too much.

HTH
Ed

 

[wetWolger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6523831#post6523831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HotHotHot
I did it and it does work, but...

It will cause a bacterial bloom which will lower disolved oxygen, which will stess everything in the tank.

Good point. I had not thought of this but your are 100% right. I would also expect the decrese ammounts of disolved O2 will drop your ph. IMO with all the risk considered I would never try this. But if you do plan to do such a task I would do VERY small dose over a long period (I would plan a very small daily or every other day dose in the afternoon after the lights have been on for a little while for over a month or two.) If you have a fuge you may also consider changing the light to a 24hr period for while you dose to try to keep those O2 levels up.

 

[duec22]

You can accoplish the same thing by mixing acetic acid
(viniger) into your kalk makeup..that is if you are dripping kalk.

 

[leeweber85]

I'm driping kalk, but I thought vinegar was only used to be able to add more kalk without it precipitating.

I'm running 2 skimmers and I could add an air pump for oxygen.... if that would even make any difference.

How much and how long would you dose? would you use pure kane sugar?

 

[leeweber85]

bump

 

[duec22]

The acetate in the viniger acts just as the sucrose in the suger as a carbon source. Although one may be easier for the bacteria to use than the other...which I don't know.