Treating with Vitamin C
- Thread starter Pufferpunk
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quiksilver
New member
I'm so impressed with the effects of this. Very well done guys especially Puffer.
I think I have a way of automating this entire process but it will take me about a week to put together. I'll take pictures of the whole DIY build and process.
I think I have a way of automating this entire process but it will take me about a week to put together. I'll take pictures of the whole DIY build and process.
quiksilver
New member
You're so good *nudge nudge* little more to it then that but we're on the same page.
Fishcrazy06
New member
Well I will be starting to dose with the ascorbate tomorrow! This will be fun!
Eric
Eric
.
geoxman
Premium Member
quiksilver
New member
Very interesting... I worry that too much of a good thing like vitamin C will have a negative when you stop using it. Same thing happens to people who run UV sterilizers, they work great but when they stop working the livestock gets exposed to all the things it's not used to seeing and they have no immunities which can spell disaster.
I really believe the same thing could happen with Vitamin C if you don't ween your tank off of it slowly rather than just stop cold turkey.
I really believe the same thing could happen with Vitamin C if you don't ween your tank off of it slowly rather than just stop cold turkey.
Mitchreef, instead of insulting the thread, would it not be equally as easy to ask those who have had success to simply post a picture?
Also, I have to say I think your comment referencing the Amish people/faith to be completely out of line my friend.
Mucho
Also, I have to say I think your comment referencing the Amish people/faith to be completely out of line my friend.
Mucho
Last edited:
Pufferpunk
New member
I found that comment a bit odd too. Geoxman, I'm not sure about the correlation... I have stopped treatments cold turkey & haven't found any pox--just some polyps closing again.
trueblackpercula
New member
Is vitamin C good to kill the algea? Has nayone tried it on a Sps tank with ill affects?
Michael
Michael
trueblackpercula
New member
Here is the original artical I am posting it here so it does not get lost.
great thread eveyone
"Using Thiel Aqua Tech Vitamin C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document Updated August 17, 1995
Whereas a few years ago, the use of vitamin C was probably limited, for the most part, to adding some of it to foodstuff fed to fishes, recently more and more hobbyists are starting to see the benefits of using Vitamin C in their Saltwater and Reef tan ks in different manners.
This is a very welcome development because of the many beneficial properties Vitamin C brings to the tank, as we shall see.
It should be noted right away, that the Vitamin C is not added to the food (in this particular application I am about to explain) using, the Thiel Aqua Tech brand, but that it is added directly to the water in the aquarium.
To prevent too great a change in the water chemistry too rapidly, the Vitamin C concentration is gradually increased over a period of several days.
It is important to note also that Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), when used in large dosages, will affect the buffer (alkalinity) and will thus affect the pH in a downward fashion. Provisions need to be made to couteract this, of course.
Only so-called complete buffers, the ones that contain carbonates, bicarbonates and borates will raise the alkalinity and prevent acid fall of the pH. This is most important as some hobbyists are under the false impression that they can use plain bakin g soda to achieve this.
This is not so at all. You do need a complete buffer.
You can certainly use the one made by Thiel Aqua Tech.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some benefits of using Vitamin C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vitamin C has many beneficial properties, here are some of them:
detoxifies the livers of the fish. This may be really important if your fish were caught using the cyanide method, still too frequently practiced
prevents to a large degree bacterial infections from spreading rapidly and becoming sores on the body of fishes
can deal with minor outbreaks of common parasites and keep them from becoming widespread, negating the need to use other treatment to rid the fishes of them
builds up and strengthens the immune system of the fishes by allowing the evacuation of heavy metals, for instance
heals wounds
heals mout rot scars
heals lesions from black spot disease
effective in combatting lateral line disease when used in the proper amounts (large dosages which are listed later)
effective in combatting hole-in-the-head disease, again, if used in large dosages (as explained later)
greatly reduces the outbreak of parasitic attacks as the fishes are strengthened and able to fight them off, thus preventing large scale parasitic infestations
cleans up the water to some degree
beneficial to most corals on which we have tried as well
can very safely be used in reef tanks. Many other medications cannot as many of you who have tried have experienced
much better than copper and/or antibiotics
safe for use in all aquariums, including reefs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How Should Vitamin C be used
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the majority of cases aquarium water does not contain Vitamin C or, if any is present, it is present in such low quantities that we may as well consider it as near zero ppm.
Since Vitamin C can be used for various purposes, there are an equal number of methods of administering it, and a different dosage regimen to be followed in each of these cases. We will explain how to go about this later in this document.
Vitamin C cannot be added to the tank at high dosages right from day one on. Since none is present we have to gradually acclimate the fishes to this substantial change in the water chemistry. This is a drastic change and needs to be performed slowly, l est the animals will react negatively.
This is done by slowly increasing the amount of Vitamin C used, as will be explained later.
Using plain ascorbic acid is acceptable, of course, but it is better to use a buffered variety of Vitamin C, as its impact on the pH will be smaller than the pure ascorbic acid.
Use either the TAT one or use a real pure type that does not contain binders, starches, sugars, emolients etc. Read the label carefully before making a selection. Eliminate any possible problems by using our TAT brand.
Whenever you use Vitamin C you must monitor your pH and your alkalinity before and after adding it, to avoid that your pH drops as a results of the ascorbic acid you have introduced.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How much Vitamin C should you use
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The amount of Vitamin C that needs to be added to the aquarium can be split into the two major categories defined below :
Prophylactic
Therapeutic
Prophylactic
When treating an aquarium on a preventative basis only, it is not necessary to add real large dosages of Vitamin C. All we are trying to achieve is provide the fish and other animals with a constant low supply of Vitamin C to build up their immu ne system over a period of time, and take advantage of the other benefits offered by this vitamin.
Usually one adds the vitamin for a period of 14 days to 1 month and then stops adding for 2/3 months, resuming the treatment again the following month.
In essence, one treats for 14-31 days every 3 or 4 months.
The dosage recommended for this kind of treatment is a 5 ppm concentration. We shall explain a little later how to achieve the right concentration of Vitamin C in your tank.
Therapeutic
When treating fish that are infected with bacterial disease, that have sores, that are scractching, that show signs of distresss, a different approach needs to be taken and more radical dosages of Vitamin C need to be used.
This is where we want to increase the dosage progressively so that the change in the water chemistry does not affect the animals.
The method to be followed in all cases is as follows :
Day 1 : concentration of 5 ppm
Day 2 : concentration of 15 ppm
Day 3 : concentration of 30 ppm
Day 4 : concentration of 50 ppm
After day 4, continue treating with a concentration of 50 ppm for 10 more days.
The total treatment period is thus 14 days.
During this entire period you should not be using activated carbon
During this entire period you should not be using any chemical filtration media either (e.g. resins or pads).
Note that when you use these kind of Vitamin C concentrations it really is of utmost importance that you monitor you pH and ensure that it does not suddenly drop. Check the pH before you add the C but check a few minutes later also. If the pH is too low add a complete buffer immediately to re-establish your alkalinity and increase the pH of the water in the tank. This is very important indeed.
Do not make the mistake of letting your pH drop and stressing your fish out even more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can I overdose on Vitamin C?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unless you add large amounts of Vitamin C to the aquarium whithout following the gradual addition increase schedule that was outlined earlier, it is highly unlikely that you will ever overdose on Vitamin C.
You must follow the directions given above to avoid creating undue stress on the fish because of water quality parameter changes.
Do not attempt to add the 50 ppm or even the 30 ppm concentration from day 1 onwards. If you do so you will see stress. Gradually increase the dosage and you will see only benefits. Should you overdose anyway, perform an immediate large water change an d rebuffer your water to bring the pH back in line. Use only complete buffering compounds (the ones that contain carbonates, bicarbonates and borates).
Make sure you check the pH before and after adding the Vitamin C powder or tablets. It does not matter whether the C is either form as long as it is pure (see earlier).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shelflife of Vitamin C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shelflife of vitamin is short. There is no question about it. Vitamin C does not remain active for long. You can take certain measure though to protect the unused Vitamin C you have purchased from losing its chemical efficiency :
When the Vitamin C reaches you, open the bag and transfer all tablets to an airtight container.
If you have moisture absorbing satchels place them in the container as well. If you do not, do not worry about it.
Do not leave the container open so moisture can get to it. Vitamin C attracts moisture. Moisture shortens its chemical strength.
Do not leave the tablets in the light. Store them in a dark place.
Calculate in advance how much Vitamin C you will need and order that quantity. You can always order more should you need to. Storing Vitamin C for extended periods of time is not a good idea unless you take all the precautions listed above. When in do ubt eMail us or call us. You can, in fact, eMail us directly from this document (at you will see when you get to the end of it).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to achieve the correct concentration?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Achieving the correct concentration is really very simple and is explained below. Follow the steps one by one and you will now exactly how much milligrams of Vitamin C you need to add to your tank.
Determine the gallon content of your tank.
Deduct 15 % for rock in the tank, more if you have a real large amount of live rock.
Add the content of your sump (if you are using one).
This will give you a net gallonage you need to treat.
Multiply that gallonage by the concentration you need to achieve.
The number you come up with equals the number of milligrams of vitamin C you need to add to the tank.
Add the powder or tablets to the tank or the sump (if you have one).
The tablets should not be diluted in hot water first because heat degrades Vitamin C.
Let me give you an example:
You determine that the gallonage you need to treat is 90 gallons
The concentration you want to achieve is 30 ppm.
This means that you need to add 90 times 30 or 2700 mg of Vitamin C.
If you are unsure about how much to add to your tank, eMail us from this document giving us some details as to what you are trying to achieve.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contacting Thiel Aqua Tech
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to obtain more information about this product, how to dose it for your tank, or if you wish to ask questions relating to this or other products we manufacture, you can leave us eMail by clicking on the mail address that follows:
To send us a message from this document, click here: tat@3pco.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised August 17, 1995
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
great thread eveyone
"Using Thiel Aqua Tech Vitamin C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document Updated August 17, 1995
Whereas a few years ago, the use of vitamin C was probably limited, for the most part, to adding some of it to foodstuff fed to fishes, recently more and more hobbyists are starting to see the benefits of using Vitamin C in their Saltwater and Reef tan ks in different manners.
This is a very welcome development because of the many beneficial properties Vitamin C brings to the tank, as we shall see.
It should be noted right away, that the Vitamin C is not added to the food (in this particular application I am about to explain) using, the Thiel Aqua Tech brand, but that it is added directly to the water in the aquarium.
To prevent too great a change in the water chemistry too rapidly, the Vitamin C concentration is gradually increased over a period of several days.
It is important to note also that Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), when used in large dosages, will affect the buffer (alkalinity) and will thus affect the pH in a downward fashion. Provisions need to be made to couteract this, of course.
Only so-called complete buffers, the ones that contain carbonates, bicarbonates and borates will raise the alkalinity and prevent acid fall of the pH. This is most important as some hobbyists are under the false impression that they can use plain bakin g soda to achieve this.
This is not so at all. You do need a complete buffer.
You can certainly use the one made by Thiel Aqua Tech.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some benefits of using Vitamin C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vitamin C has many beneficial properties, here are some of them:
detoxifies the livers of the fish. This may be really important if your fish were caught using the cyanide method, still too frequently practiced
prevents to a large degree bacterial infections from spreading rapidly and becoming sores on the body of fishes
can deal with minor outbreaks of common parasites and keep them from becoming widespread, negating the need to use other treatment to rid the fishes of them
builds up and strengthens the immune system of the fishes by allowing the evacuation of heavy metals, for instance
heals wounds
heals mout rot scars
heals lesions from black spot disease
effective in combatting lateral line disease when used in the proper amounts (large dosages which are listed later)
effective in combatting hole-in-the-head disease, again, if used in large dosages (as explained later)
greatly reduces the outbreak of parasitic attacks as the fishes are strengthened and able to fight them off, thus preventing large scale parasitic infestations
cleans up the water to some degree
beneficial to most corals on which we have tried as well
can very safely be used in reef tanks. Many other medications cannot as many of you who have tried have experienced
much better than copper and/or antibiotics
safe for use in all aquariums, including reefs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How Should Vitamin C be used
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the majority of cases aquarium water does not contain Vitamin C or, if any is present, it is present in such low quantities that we may as well consider it as near zero ppm.
Since Vitamin C can be used for various purposes, there are an equal number of methods of administering it, and a different dosage regimen to be followed in each of these cases. We will explain how to go about this later in this document.
Vitamin C cannot be added to the tank at high dosages right from day one on. Since none is present we have to gradually acclimate the fishes to this substantial change in the water chemistry. This is a drastic change and needs to be performed slowly, l est the animals will react negatively.
This is done by slowly increasing the amount of Vitamin C used, as will be explained later.
Using plain ascorbic acid is acceptable, of course, but it is better to use a buffered variety of Vitamin C, as its impact on the pH will be smaller than the pure ascorbic acid.
Use either the TAT one or use a real pure type that does not contain binders, starches, sugars, emolients etc. Read the label carefully before making a selection. Eliminate any possible problems by using our TAT brand.
Whenever you use Vitamin C you must monitor your pH and your alkalinity before and after adding it, to avoid that your pH drops as a results of the ascorbic acid you have introduced.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How much Vitamin C should you use
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The amount of Vitamin C that needs to be added to the aquarium can be split into the two major categories defined below :
Prophylactic
Therapeutic
Prophylactic
When treating an aquarium on a preventative basis only, it is not necessary to add real large dosages of Vitamin C. All we are trying to achieve is provide the fish and other animals with a constant low supply of Vitamin C to build up their immu ne system over a period of time, and take advantage of the other benefits offered by this vitamin.
Usually one adds the vitamin for a period of 14 days to 1 month and then stops adding for 2/3 months, resuming the treatment again the following month.
In essence, one treats for 14-31 days every 3 or 4 months.
The dosage recommended for this kind of treatment is a 5 ppm concentration. We shall explain a little later how to achieve the right concentration of Vitamin C in your tank.
Therapeutic
When treating fish that are infected with bacterial disease, that have sores, that are scractching, that show signs of distresss, a different approach needs to be taken and more radical dosages of Vitamin C need to be used.
This is where we want to increase the dosage progressively so that the change in the water chemistry does not affect the animals.
The method to be followed in all cases is as follows :
Day 1 : concentration of 5 ppm
Day 2 : concentration of 15 ppm
Day 3 : concentration of 30 ppm
Day 4 : concentration of 50 ppm
After day 4, continue treating with a concentration of 50 ppm for 10 more days.
The total treatment period is thus 14 days.
During this entire period you should not be using activated carbon
During this entire period you should not be using any chemical filtration media either (e.g. resins or pads).
Note that when you use these kind of Vitamin C concentrations it really is of utmost importance that you monitor you pH and ensure that it does not suddenly drop. Check the pH before you add the C but check a few minutes later also. If the pH is too low add a complete buffer immediately to re-establish your alkalinity and increase the pH of the water in the tank. This is very important indeed.
Do not make the mistake of letting your pH drop and stressing your fish out even more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can I overdose on Vitamin C?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unless you add large amounts of Vitamin C to the aquarium whithout following the gradual addition increase schedule that was outlined earlier, it is highly unlikely that you will ever overdose on Vitamin C.
You must follow the directions given above to avoid creating undue stress on the fish because of water quality parameter changes.
Do not attempt to add the 50 ppm or even the 30 ppm concentration from day 1 onwards. If you do so you will see stress. Gradually increase the dosage and you will see only benefits. Should you overdose anyway, perform an immediate large water change an d rebuffer your water to bring the pH back in line. Use only complete buffering compounds (the ones that contain carbonates, bicarbonates and borates).
Make sure you check the pH before and after adding the Vitamin C powder or tablets. It does not matter whether the C is either form as long as it is pure (see earlier).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shelflife of Vitamin C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shelflife of vitamin is short. There is no question about it. Vitamin C does not remain active for long. You can take certain measure though to protect the unused Vitamin C you have purchased from losing its chemical efficiency :
When the Vitamin C reaches you, open the bag and transfer all tablets to an airtight container.
If you have moisture absorbing satchels place them in the container as well. If you do not, do not worry about it.
Do not leave the container open so moisture can get to it. Vitamin C attracts moisture. Moisture shortens its chemical strength.
Do not leave the tablets in the light. Store them in a dark place.
Calculate in advance how much Vitamin C you will need and order that quantity. You can always order more should you need to. Storing Vitamin C for extended periods of time is not a good idea unless you take all the precautions listed above. When in do ubt eMail us or call us. You can, in fact, eMail us directly from this document (at you will see when you get to the end of it).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to achieve the correct concentration?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Achieving the correct concentration is really very simple and is explained below. Follow the steps one by one and you will now exactly how much milligrams of Vitamin C you need to add to your tank.
Determine the gallon content of your tank.
Deduct 15 % for rock in the tank, more if you have a real large amount of live rock.
Add the content of your sump (if you are using one).
This will give you a net gallonage you need to treat.
Multiply that gallonage by the concentration you need to achieve.
The number you come up with equals the number of milligrams of vitamin C you need to add to the tank.
Add the powder or tablets to the tank or the sump (if you have one).
The tablets should not be diluted in hot water first because heat degrades Vitamin C.
Let me give you an example:
You determine that the gallonage you need to treat is 90 gallons
The concentration you want to achieve is 30 ppm.
This means that you need to add 90 times 30 or 2700 mg of Vitamin C.
If you are unsure about how much to add to your tank, eMail us from this document giving us some details as to what you are trying to achieve.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contacting Thiel Aqua Tech
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to obtain more information about this product, how to dose it for your tank, or if you wish to ask questions relating to this or other products we manufacture, you can leave us eMail by clicking on the mail address that follows:
To send us a message from this document, click here: tat@3pco.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised August 17, 1995
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
quiksilver
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11692312#post11692312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PaintGuru
Amish don't like technology, hence the lack of digital photographs. I thought the connection was pretty easy to make.
I think you just came across a little harsh. No biggey, let's all apologize and GROUP HUG.
I will say that there is a lack of photography here even though this thread is still one of the most interesting I have read in months. I will work on automating this dosing mechanism and post all my pictures in the next week.
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