v o d k a
- Thread starter Dawn II
- Start date
Horace
New member
I have heard that adding vodka, while it increases bacteria, increases a single strain of bacteria, and has the risk of raising this single strain to super unproportional levels. I have been told this can result in some very bad situations. If you want to increase bacteria, I would look into Zeovit or Podibio....both of those methods use multi strains of bacteria and use a carbon source (simialar to what vodka does) to grow them. Ditch the vodka man...I think your just asking for trouble.
Sounds like speculation to me. Ever seen actual data that shows zeovit to drive diffeent strains than ethanol?
Horace
New member
I would love to post some links to the info I have read, but we are not allowed to post links to the zeovit forums here. The risks of the Vodka practice is fairly heavly discussed over there.
I am by no way a scientist, nor have I experiemented with this stuff AT ALL. I am just relaying what I have read from other "experts".
I am by no way a scientist, nor have I experiemented with this stuff AT ALL. I am just relaying what I have read from other "experts".
Horace
New member
Its ZeoVit 
.....Zeovit is a method of keeping super low nutrients by culturing high levels of several useful strains of bacteria on Zeolith rocks. This bacteria is used for nutrient processing and also is used for coral food in the form of "mulm". If you want to know more about it, go to the Zeovit site or www.captiveoceans.com (the main US distributor). I cannot link you to the zeovit forums because it is against RC policy. However, Im sure you can figure out the website easy enough
My suggestion is you do some good research on each method and you come to the conclusion which works best for you...be it vodka, Zeovit, Prodibio...whatever.......
.....Zeovit is a method of keeping super low nutrients by culturing high levels of several useful strains of bacteria on Zeolith rocks. This bacteria is used for nutrient processing and also is used for coral food in the form of "mulm". If you want to know more about it, go to the Zeovit site or www.captiveoceans.com (the main US distributor). I cannot link you to the zeovit forums because it is against RC policy. However, Im sure you can figure out the website easy enough My suggestion is you do some good research on each method and you come to the conclusion which works best for you...be it vodka, Zeovit, Prodibio...whatever.......
Horace
New member
As a reference... here is a snipet of what was said without linking to the post:
"Hi all, in fact, the different carbon sources[Start2/Food7] are vital for the proliferation/maintenance of the multi-culture zeo-bacteria's densities/function in providing our corals with the very nutrient-poor environment necessary while are the same time enriching the mulm[read:bacterioplankton] for coralfood. A single carbon source such as Vodka promotes only a mono-culture of bacteria, creating ebbs & flow in it's density & therefore, the potential for bacterial excesses & crashes within the reef."
"Hi all, in fact, the different carbon sources[Start2/Food7] are vital for the proliferation/maintenance of the multi-culture zeo-bacteria's densities/function in providing our corals with the very nutrient-poor environment necessary while are the same time enriching the mulm[read:bacterioplankton] for coralfood. A single carbon source such as Vodka promotes only a mono-culture of bacteria, creating ebbs & flow in it's density & therefore, the potential for bacterial excesses & crashes within the reef."
Still sounds like a statement without supporting data.
Without data, I could just as easily speculate:
Ethanol is widely used by bacteria. In fact, all known strains of bacteria can metabolize ethanol. Consequently, it is the perfect additive to drive a wide range of bacteria at the same time.
Without data, I could just as easily speculate:
Ethanol is widely used by bacteria. In fact, all known strains of bacteria can metabolize ethanol. Consequently, it is the perfect additive to drive a wide range of bacteria at the same time.
Horace
New member
Sounds interesting Randy....Just curious but what is YOUR opinion on using vodka in a tank? Do you think that the risk of too much bacteria using up o2 is a major concern? None and all?? Would you ever use Vodka??
Also if the addition of Vodka is similar to how the Zeovit system works...what is your opinion on Zeovit???
Also if the addition of Vodka is similar to how the Zeovit system works...what is your opinion on Zeovit???
There are several people who frequent this site that have predominantly sps tanks that have used vodka for very long periods of time with no apparent ill effects. I have used it for almost two years including my 225 from start up. I have added little, added alot and caused obvious blooms, stopped using it all together for weeks and have never had a problem with my tank. All of these things are supposed to be a problem. The only thing I might be able to say anecdotally is that my skimmer produces much more junk when dosing and that it seems like Doctyota grows faster when using it.
Other than translated third party accounts on european forums, I have not actually heard of anyone that can specifically say that vodka has been shown to be detrimental to the biology of a reef tank.
And while all of the above is true, it just another relatively unsupported single data point.
Other than translated third party accounts on european forums, I have not actually heard of anyone that can specifically say that vodka has been shown to be detrimental to the biology of a reef tank.
And while all of the above is true, it just another relatively unsupported single data point.
I agree that the vodka system seems to work. One concern seems to be taking it too far, potentialy driving nutrients lower than is desirable for some corals.
Horace
New member
Any idea where I could get some dosing recommendations? I am curious about trying it. Right now my nutrients have spiked because of a huge water change with some undesirable water. I would like to get my SPS tank's nutrients back in check and get rid of the hair algae I currently have that I never had prior.
The plan is to continue with the water changes for a while as well. Ive replaced about 30g in the past week in my 75g Net system.
The plan is to continue with the water changes for a while as well. Ive replaced about 30g in the past week in my 75g Net system.
The thread above has some dosing suggestions that folks have made, but you may have to wade through a lot of posts.
Horace
New member
Ok it seems 1ml to 150L and slowly raising to 1ml to 100L over 7 days is typical. The next question is do you think it is even worth trying? My nitrate levels are still very low. I tested my Nitrates last night and they were essentially undetectable. The Salifert showed no color that I could see....through the side (which is 10x magnification) or otherwise. Is it possible that the green hair algae is living on phosphates alone? My cheato doesnt seem to be growing super fast so I dont get it 
. Perhaps I just need to get a new bulb on the sump, mine is fairly white in color. Would a more yellowbulb be a better choice?
. Perhaps I just need to get a new bulb on the sump, mine is fairly white in color. Would a more yellowbulb be a better choice?
If you presently have little nitrate or phosphate, I would start very slow. 
Algae always needs both a nitrogen source and a phosphorus source, but can get it while levels still appear quite low.
Dosing iron sometimes boosts macroalgae relative to hair algae.
Algae always needs both a nitrogen source and a phosphorus source, but can get it while levels still appear quite low.
Dosing iron sometimes boosts macroalgae relative to hair algae.
Horace
New member
Ok...sounds good. Do you think perhaps I should cut it back to .5ml for a while and see what happens? Then slowly increase it? I take it if I see a white film on the glass that there is too much? It seems Zeovit has the same problems when you dose too much ZeoStart. Though Zeovit uses not only the Start, but also Zeofood. I would guess that this is something more than just a carbon source? I wonder what the equivelent of the food would be if the ZeoStart is similar to ethanol in function......
Mark
Premium Member
I am a vodka user. It worked as advertised, as long as you keep reminding yourself to go slow. That previous thread has some details about when I overdosed. It's dangerous to do. I think the risk of fueling a single bad bacteria that outcompetes all others is silly. Bacteria competition occurs regardless of vodka.
