Vodka Dosing

[CloudIX]

First let me start off by saying, sorry for opening Pandora's box as i'm sure there will be many different opinions in this subject.

I was reading this Vodka Dosing article and was amazed that Ive never been told of this. Is this something that has been around long? Does anyone do this? If so, whats your experience with its use?

 

[andywe]

Yes, it has been around a long time. BIll (poolkeeper1) does it quite successfully. I went another route, but along the same ecological impact with Reef Biofuel. Vodka is a carbon fuel source for bacterial growth to encourage bacteria that eliminates ammonium at the beggining of the nitrogen cycle to help keep nitrates and phosphates low or elm inated in a more natrual method than using GFO or other mechanical means.

It lends itself to what is called an Ultra Low Nutrient System, which if done correctly really makes your tank something spectacular.

But going this route, Vodka is not enough. Amino Acids and trace elements are also crucial at a minimum ( can be somewhat mitigated by frequent water changes, but not entirely). Do lots of research before starting. You can screw up your tank if not done right.

For what it's worth, I use brightwell's ULNS system and am having awesome results. It is a regiment however no matter what method you use. PM me if you want more info on what I do. I am sure Bill will chime in when he sees this and will fill you in on what he does.

 

[sedor]

What andywe said. Just make sure to take things very slow, and if you are seeing any negative effects back the dose down until you get it right. You also have to make sure you have a big bad skimmer Your going to start pulling a lot of crap out.

 

[Nashvegas]

Do you think my fish would appreciate Absolute Mandarin? I like it..and no I don't have a mandarin.

 

[andywe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15516577#post15516577 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nashvegas
Do you think my fish would appreciate Absolute Mandarin? I like it..and no I don't have a mandarin.

gawd CJ LOL

My fish are higher class than that. Kettle One for them.

 

[CloudIX]

Well im not to the point that im going to be doing this yet. But its never to early to start learning about the subject. Define a BAD boy skimmer.. Like a MRC MR-3 skimmer on a 300 gallon system cover it?

 

[poolkeeper1]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

I will suggest that you read this artical In depth and when you fully understand what Vodka Dosing Is all about I'll gladly answer any questions you may still have. I am not an expert on this or any other aspect of this hobby but I can tell you what has worked for me, No more than that.
Bill

 

[CloudIX]

Yea that is the exact article that i had just finished reading. This is working good for you? are you adding any trace minerals with this?

 

[poolkeeper1]

I dose Amino Acids along with Trace Elements and Phytochrome, I add Vitamin C to all fish food given daily. Most Vital piece Is a Really good Skimmer as this Is what removes the results of your dosing Vodka...

 

[ZachB]

What amino acids do you dose? Seems like an interesting article and not terribly difficult to maintain once started.

 

[andywe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15516766#post15516766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CloudIX
Well im not to the point that im going to be doing this yet. But its never to early to start learning about the subject. Define a BAD boy skimmer.. Like a MRC MR-3 skimmer on a 300 gallon system cover it?

Nope. The I-tech 400 would be right for a 300 gal system. It is an AWESOME skimmer and works great for a ULNS system too. No finer bang for the buck.

 

[ZachB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15516607#post15516607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andywe
gawd CJ LOL

My fish are higher class than that. Kettle One for them.

Ketel One

 

[poolkeeper1]

I-Tech Is good bang for the buck, But If you can hold on I have a new contact coming out with Skimmers that are very similar to them at even better bang for the buck. And they also are made In the USA Florida to be Exact just like IT. More to come soon....

 

[commonstranger]

I throw a few shots of Jack Daniles in a day amazing how my fish react. Hey they couldnt swim a straight line before anyway.

 

[NeveSSL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15518174#post15518174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poolkeeper1
I-Tech Is good bang for the buck, But If you can hold on I have a new contact coming out with Skimmers that are very similar to them at even better bang for the buck. And they also are made In the USA Florida to be Exact just like IT. More to come soon....

Hmmm... I believe a couple of people have a contact like this. Do you share this contact with another club member?

Brandon

 

[poolkeeper1]

Dang hard to keep a secret around these parts, But I will let others release Information as they see fit to do so If you get my drift. Brandon LOL

 

[NeveSSL]

 

[supertech99]

i did vodka dosing for a while with great results, even my crapola skimmer went crazy. I left on a trip and had to have a friend feed my tank, didnt trust him to dose the vodka, after that never started it back up. I liked it, just a bit difficult to automate if you have a lot of strains on your free time.

 

[waynesworld]

Bill instead of adding vit C can I just blend up some straberries I learned they have a lot more Vit c then oj.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Well Wayne I don't see why not, You know how momma always said to eat lots of fruit! I am actually Unconvinced that the vitamin c helps anything but the Fish who are all grossly overweight. As you know how fat that tang I gave you was...I need to put them all on a diet.
Bill