Vodka Dosing Question

[rayn]

You want your skimmer cup dark green and almost like mud when you clean it that's what I was told. Than you know its working and sometimes when the filter is plugged it will fill up quick

Are you talking a filter on the pump or the bubble plate in the skimmer? I am currently vodka dosing and my skimmer just goes nuts from time to time filling the container.

 

[reefnut2012]

Vodka skimming????? Why?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It is used to drive bacterial growth and reduce nutrients. Other materials are used to, such as vinegar which is my preference. There are hundreds of threads on these topics.

 

[Chavito]

Did not know Vodka could be used. Will jump on those theads.

 

[BillyC]

Randy, what test kits do you use for low range po4/nitrate testing? Does the salifert low range kit do the job?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don't test for nutrients. I gauge dosing on the look of the tank.

I don't really have much opinion of the suitability of most kits for nitrate and phosphate, so I'll leave that assessment to others. When I do measure phosphate, I have used the Hach PO-19 kit.

 

[PincheReefTank]

Would vodka dosing during tank cycling be beneficial???

 

[PincheReefTank]

rephrase:
would vodka dosing at low levals be beneficial to a new tank that is currently 2 weeks into cycling?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It is hard to say how beneficial that will be, because it depends on how you are cycling the aquarium. If you are cycling with curing live rock it may be useful to start early. I do not think it will help the progression of ammonia to nitrate via nitrifying bacteria, but it may help reduce nitrate and phosphate that is present. Personally, I'd probably wait until you add fish.

 

[PincheReefTank]

Thanks for the response Randy. I was just hoping to get a jump on GHA without adding more hardware to the system.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Good luck.