variety of carbon sources for carbon dosing

[downset21]

I have been researching carbon dosing and this article (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php) makes reference to some people utilizing more than one carbon source to create a more diverse bacteria culture in their tank.

I am leaning toward using either Red Sea NOPOX or vodka. Has anybody used more than one carbon source? What are your experiences?

 

[GimpyFin]

Ecobak Plus biopellets actually do this as well. Warner marine uses multiple polymers/carbon sources to encourage a more diverse bacteria population for nutrient consumption. I think they even have a patent on their pellets, or possibly one pending. I've used them for a few years and have had great results.

 

[mcgyvr]

People do it..
Not sure I've seen any proof its actually needed/beneficial though..

 

[Sk8r]

I had good results with NoPoX as well.

 

[ClownNut]

nopox is one of the best carbon source i had used. i did vodka, sugar, vinegar and combo of any or all 3. did zeovit and AF too, still come back to nopox.

 

[ReefWreak]

Worth mentioning that NoPoX is a multi-carbon source. From an RC expert: "Essentially NOPOX is 6 parts ethanol to 1 part acetic acid. It also includes abut 3% methanol and some isoprophol alclohol and perhaps other small impurites . The methanol is likely added to avoid taxation as a consumable liquor.:

 

[Tripod1404]

Worth mentioning that NoPoX is a multi-carbon source. From an RC expert: "Essentially NOPOX is 6 parts ethanol to 1 part acetic acid. It also includes abut 3% methanol and some isoprophol alclohol and perhaps other small impurites . The methanol is likely added to avoid taxation as a consumable liquor.:

Methanol is probably not added but present since they use cheap ethanol. Methanol is a side product of industrial ethanol production. Pure ethanol free of methanol is extremely hard to produce and require multi-step distillation.

 

[downset21]

Ecobak Plus biopellets actually do this as well. Warner marine uses multiple polymers/carbon sources to encourage a more diverse bacteria population for nutrient consumption. I think they even have a patent on their pellets, or possibly one pending. I've used them for a few years and have had great results.

I'm pressed for space so I feel like carbon dosing is my best option at the moment. I will keep this in mind if things change


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[downset21]

nopox is one of the best carbon source i had used. i did vodka, sugar, vinegar and combo of any or all 3. did zeovit and AF too, still come back to nopox.

I'm going to read more about this. I actually thought it would be more expensive but it seemed fairly affordable. Thanks for the reply


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[jason2459]

Methanol is probably not added but present since they use cheap ethanol. Methanol is a side product of industrial ethanol production. Pure ethanol free of methanol is extremely hard to produce and require multi-step distillation.

That's interesting. I did not know that or hear that argument for that addition yet. I was on the side of RedSea purposefully adding methanol in NoPox as a denaturing agent for the same reason as most all denatured alcohols include it to reduce the chance of recreational consumption so it's not taxed as other alcoholic beverages are or deal with many other legal issues of transportation and sales.

But that also makes sense. Any links to documentation on that readily on hand? I'll have to look it up as I'm curious to this manufacturing impurity process.

As a carbon source I would not suggest anyone purposefully dose Methanol as it is quite toxic, at least it's metabolites are, to most life on earth. It seems the small amount in NoPox is fine.

 

[Tripod1404]

That's interesting. I did not know that or hear that argument for that addition yet. I was on the side of RedSea purposefully adding methanol in NoPox as a denaturing agent for the same reason as most all denatured alcohols include it to reduce the chance of recreational consumption so it's not taxed as other alcoholic beverages are or deal with many other legal issues of transportation and sales.

But that also makes sense. Any links to documentation on that readily on hand? I'll have to look it up as I'm curious to this manufacturing impurity process.

As a carbon source I would not suggest anyone purposefully dose Methanol as it is quite toxic, at least it's metabolites are, to most life on earth. It seems the small amount in NoPox is fine.

Normally amount of methanol produce through fermentation is very low. But during the distillation procedure first few batches of product you get is very rich in methanol. This is because methanol has a lower boiling point and so it evaporates more easily. So you get methanol first and after that methanol mixed with ethanol until it turns into pure ethanol as all methanol evaporates. Batches that are a mixture of methanol and ethanol are very cheap since there are not many uses for it. So I assumed redsea uses these since its cheaper and a better source of carbon.

This is the same reason why moonshine can get you blind or kill you. You can unintentionally enrich methanol if you dont know what you are doing. Here is a link to one such case;

http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2013/06/13/3781104.htm