vodka negatives, side effects or dangers

[nano427]

I am thinking about dosing vodka and I've been doing a bunch of reading and I've read mostly good things. I'm just wondering what the negatives or side effects might be if any? Also wondering what to look out for to avoid a disaster. Any pointers or advise is much appreciated, thanks

 

[buy_baff]

Well when I was doseing vodka the main side effect was me and my wife getting drunk!

 

[nano427]

Well when I was doseing vodka the main side effect was me and my wife getting drunk!

lol ha, if thats the side effect im wondering if i can just dose some jack daniels instead of vodka :beer:



however on a serious note you said "when" does that mean you stopped, why?

 

[imagex]

alk and ph decreses... that the only thing i've noticed as a side effect..

 

[Genetics]

I wouldn't add anything to your tank that isn't pure. Everclear would be fine. However, Jack is best enjoyed in a glass.

Vodka can have many side effects. A shift in Alk and pH can occur. At high initial doses more serious side effects, as with any additive fueling bacteria, would include a rapid depletion in oxygen and death.

 

[DeepSeaBeauti]

This article goes into great detail about what to watch out for.


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

 

[tmz]

I've dosed vodka and vinegar for the last 20 months at a moderate level dose and I'm pleased with the results in terms of coral response, water clarity and PO4/NO4 levels.

Cautions:

Pay close attention to exporting organic materials to avoid a buildup in total organic carbon. Running a good skimmer and granulated activated carbon help.The skimmer also helps offset any oxygen depletion.

Start with a small dose and work up to a level that works for your system. For me it's .062 ml of 80 proof vodka ( ie 40% ethanol) per gallon . Use plain vodka or everclear.

Monitor alk and ph. They will likely go down a bit over time due to the extra organics and/or the drop in PO4. I lost about a point and a half for 8.3 to 8.15 over the 2O month course.

 

[wickedfish]

My alk and ph were stable only did it for 5 weeks but achieved the 0's desired. I know it was kinda the same thing but ran carbon in a bag simo, skimmer was tiny bit more active. Corals same, only thing that made me stop...I saw someone post that they developed bubble algae and they were dosing vodka next day i saw my first bubble of algae like the size of 0 on your keyboard, ya I'm a lame-o stopped the vodka and started running fresh carbon (phoslock) it has carbon and phosphate remover. I was hoping somethiong would eat the algae but it is still there 2 weeks later.

 

[Genetics]

I haven't heard of vodka feeding algae growth. In fact, you would expect to see the opposite effect.

 

[tmz]

Valonia is pretty hardy and may have taken advantage of competing algae waning . I
have a bubble now and then but nothing I would consider a problem nor related to the vodka dosing.

 

[buy_baff]

lol ha, if thats the side effect im wondering if i can just dose some jack daniels instead of vodka :beer:



however on a serious note you said "when" does that mean you stopped, why?

I stoped and went to vite c and mb7 for a while. Now I'm running eco bak bio pellits. My po4 is now 0.00 on a hanna checker and my nitraits are 0 on a api kit so I would say the pellits are doing their job.

 

[wickedfish]

Also on the Vit C from I herb with help from Pufferpunk on the coupon and link her tank is one of the nicest 90 gallon softies I have seen.