Vodka Dosing = Cloudy Water

[tmz]

I use the hanah colorimeter and the salifert PO4 test. The later is not junk at least to 0.1ppm. I would not dose vodka with only 0.5 to 0ppm nitrates and without knowing what my PO4 was. I don't see the point in it. Carbon dosing does seem to promote some cyano growth. the cloudy water is probably a bloom and the calirity afterwards is to be expected.

 

[sedor]

So far its been doing my tank a lot of good. I'm noticing increased skimmate and longer polyp extension from my corals. My system just doesn't require an extra large dose I guess. I guess i'm using it as a replacement for a fuge and so far i've been happy.

 

[borcu]

what does "nutrient" stand on? what does it means? depends on only nitrate & phosphate?

 

[tmz]

Nutrients are food. They generally encompass: nitrogen( ammonia, nitrite,nitrate and organics containing nitrogen such as ammino acids); organic carbon from organic materials in the tank from foods,waste or those produced by photosyntetic organisms ,and; phosphorous both organic and inorganic(PO4 species).

Aquarists are primarily concerned with PO4(phosphate) and nitrate since they contribute to nuisance algae growth and are harmful to invertebrates. Organic carbon is also a concern but not measureable with hobby grade equipment.

 

[borcu]

thank you. so there is not other measurable indicator except nitrate and phosphate.

 

[tmz]

Ph and orp(oxygen reduction potential)variations can give you hints about changes in organics but are not measures for this. So most focus on nitrate and PO4 and rely on skimming and granulated activated carbon and some also use ozone to help with organics.

 

[borcu]

how they can shows us hints? eg. what shows low orp or ph us about organics?

 

[tmz]

A drop in ORP for example could indicate an infusion of organics. Dropping ph shows proportionately more H protons possibly associated with more acids in the water. Imprecise at best but swings in these measures may give you a heads up to look for a cause which may be related to organics.

 

[twelvejewelz]

Not trying to hijack your thread but im wondering if you have a heavily stocked tank(fish wise) can the vodka dosing cause a sudden death in fish? Mabe from no oxygen in the water?

 

[JHemdal]

Tom,

Public aquariums have stopped using ethanol as a solvent for an anti-trematode drug for that reason. In excess, the ethanol promotes a bacterial bloom that in turn scavenges dissolved oxygen from the water - to the point where some fish may die. I've only seen this affect flashlight fish myself - but it was definately cause and effect.

Jay

 

[tmz]

Jay,
In excess any organic carbon source( sugar, vinegar ,vodka, vitamin C, potatoes, a rotting organism, excess uneaten food, etc.) may cause a bacterial bloom and oxygen depletion. Ethanol /vodka is no worse than any of the others and purer than many. Thanks for the information.

 

[jbanks]

Not trying to hijack your thread but im wondering if you have a heavily stocked tank(fish wise) can the vodka dosing cause a sudden death in fish? Mabe from no oxygen in the water?

This is why having a really good protein skimmer is absolutely necessary when practicing carbon dosing.. It will help to offset the oxygen that is being pulled out by the bacterial polulation...

Without a good oversized protein skimmer, there is no way I would carbon dose. JMO...

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

Sedor it's important to do the 2 week period with mb7 then vodka....

Dosing your vodka in the am is also better if you're worried about oxygen depletion.

I dose 12ml daily in my 60 gal net 90 and 26ml daily in my 170 gal net 175 along with 7 and 21 gtts of mb7.

 

[jbanks]

Sedor it's important to do the 2 week period with mb7 then vodka....

Dosing your vodka in the am is also better if you're worried about oxygen depletion.

I dose 12ml daily in my 60 gal net 90 and 26ml daily in my 170 gal net 175 along with 7 and 21 gtts of mb7.

Wow, Your tank must be stocked the the brim... Either that or I am dosing way too little at 6ml/day on my 180... How is the SPS color in your 170 at 26ml vodka/day

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

Colors are not too bad:thumbsup:

 

[jbanks]

Nice looking Tank! I guess the volume of vodka you dose helps you to deal with all those big beautiful fish... Very Nice..

 

[RocketSurgeon]

Colors are not too bad:thumbsup:

pictures like this is what keeps me going.

 

[tmz]

Nice tank. FWIW, I've been dosing vodka for about 21 months. Also run gfo, gac, etc. No bacteria supplements since I think they are unnecessary. Bacteria indigenous to the tank will do a fine job using the extra organic carbon and reducing NO3 and PO4 : A few pictures:

More here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1872264&highlight=puddle

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

Older pic of the 90

 

[E.intheC]

Any updates on this? I just started dosing yesterday.