Vitinam C vs Cabon Dosing

[carb850]

I just recently heard about Vitinam C dosing and looking to learn more. I found an ultra mega thread here on RC about it but I'm not sure I have time to read it through the 3 splits I guess my first would be whether it is doing the same thing as carbon dosing? With both, I believe your supposed to get increased colors from the coral and increased growth. The carbon is doing it by feeding bacteria which lowers phosphates and nitrates. What is Vitinam C doing?

 

[kmacartney]

From what I understand, dosing with Vitamin C is another form of carbon dosing. Some people think that it is beneficial to zoas.

 

[coralreefer]

What is Vitinam C doing?

That's the million dollar question :lol:

kmacartney nailed it

From what I understand, dosing with Vitamin C is another form of carbon dosing. Some people think that it is beneficial to zoas.

I think most of the science people agree it is just another form of carbon dosing. How/why it seems especially beneficial to zoas is unknown. I haven't followed it much since last winter but I've read most of the 3 split thread I have no life.
I also never bothered to try it since the science behind it was lacking.

The carbon is doing it by feeding bacteria which lowers phosphates and nitrates

Yep.
Then the bacteria feed phytoplankton which in turn feed your corals. The excess is skimmed out.

I believe your supposed to get increased colors from the coral and increased growth

Sorta
The usual "goal" is to promote a low nutrient system (I think they refer to it now as ULNS). This can cause SPS to turn a pastel color. To help them retain the best coloration it's recommended you either feed much heavier or stock a higher bioload than is/was generally recommended for a SPS tank. Of course you're able to feed/stock heavier because you're carbon dosing.
You should see better coral growth because you're feeding their food source (bacteria/phyto).

At least this is/was the theory of carbon dosing...specifically vodka and the blu coral method when I followed the various threads a few years ago. There are some older threads on vodka, zeo and the like that make the Vit C thread seem like Cliff notes

I have dosed vodka in the past and it worked very well. However, it may have contributed to my tank crashing.
Having said that I'm certainly considering it again in the new tank if needed. It's much better understood/accepted and the methodology has improved in the past three years. I'm slowly catching up on the more current threads/trends to get back up to speed again.

 

[carb850]

When carbon dosing with Vodka, how do LPS take to it? I keep hearing that zoo's don't seem to do well at all.

 

[Altpers0na]

imo if done properly none of the stuff you Want to have, should care.

 

[Altpers0na]

forgot to add, that imo vodka helped clean my tank up when things were getting hairy

 

[LtPiper]

You all were just getting everybody in the tank drunk so they didn't care.

 

[rnhrtfan]

When I dose vodka.....after about the 6th shot everything looks better....

 

[coralreefer]

When carbon dosing with Vodka, how do LPS take to it? I keep hearing that zoo's don't seem to do well at all.

imo if done properly none of the stuff you Want to have, should care.

There is no reason zoas (or LPS for that matter) shouldn't/don't do fine with any type carbon dosing. Got a link I can read on zoas...again I'm just getting up to speed again.
Zoas needing "nutrient" rich water is a hobby myth IMO and like SPS you can always feed heavier if you perceive a decline.
I see a lot of anecdotal comments from inexperienced hobbyists that somehow become facts because they're vocal without understanding the biology/science behind what they're keeping/doing.
Then again you'll find some who are truly "experts" on this method...like Gary, mesocosm, or other scientific minded posters,
Genetics and of course RHF come to mind as do a few others. fwiw right now I consider meso the go to person to explain carbon dosing in general.

When I dose vodka.....after about the 6th shot everything looks better....

Luckily that's the one adult beverage I can't stand so the fish and coral can party all they want. If they ever suggest dosing beer the reef will be in trouble. That's also why this post might be a little long/ mouthy :beer:

 

[Altpers0na]

hmm, i wonder if adding vodka would speed up our club meet n greet.

 

[coralreefer]

hmm, i wonder if adding vodka would speed up our club meet n greet.

In other words a carbon dosed meet n greet,...has possibilities

 

[rnhrtfan]

Amy unfortunately for me I haven't found an adult beverage that I don't like!!! Or maybe that's unfortunate for the reef????

 

[Altpers0na]

the list of stuff i dont like is growing.

 

[package]

I tried dosing Vit C as suggested on the 3 split thread, 6-8 months ago, ordered "the" recommended powdered brand.

All I got out was slimey water. I use a pad filter (not a sock) but more of nylon type filter prior to the water hitting the sump. The filter would get so slimed up from the Vit C that it would overflow into the sump after about 1 day. This normally takes 2 weeks (for the pad to become gummed up with algae, other, etc.).

I did not use the Vit. C long enough to say if it was good or bad.

 

[carb850]

I think tonight I decided that Vodka dosing (my tank) is in my future. I have been running GFO on and off for some time. I'm filling my TLF 150 reactor about half full and when I do run it change it about every 4-6 weeks. In all likelihood that isn't often enough but 2 changes used almost 2 lbs of GFO. Considering I probably should be filling it more and changing it more frequently this can get costly in a hurry. Note that 4lbs of GFO is approx $50, and that is buying online at a reduced rate.

Then I just read that Melev used $40 worth of Vodka in his tank in 6 months and he has much more water volume and he was dosing an old tank with a DSB. So I could be using half that much. Not to mention he drastically reduced his WC interval. The salt savings adds up to even more money saved.

What is the down side? I figure the daily routine can get old but I just noticed the dosing pumps from BulkReefSupply run $100. If I use my ACjr as a timer, that would be all I need to automate it, right?

 

[kmacartney]

Sounds good, keep us posted.