Who's dosing vodka? And why?

[melev]

1) Is my skimmer sufficient for my set up to dose vodka?

<i>Yes.</i>

2) I know the vodka dosing will probably help with the remainder of the hair algae, but will it likely increase my already existing cyano problem?

<i>It should help, but you may have to be more proactive with some new hungry snails too. Cyano may increase or decrease. In my case, it just kind of stuck around, but never got out of hand.</i>

3) Is what I'm doing with my sandbed any issue with starting vodka dosing?

<i>You don't need to siphon the sandbed, but it won't hurt it. It sounds like you only want it for decor instead of denitrification.</i>

4) What's the general concensus on which tests are best for nitrates and phosphates?

<i>Elos, Salifert, API - all of these are used with good results.</i>

5) I see it mostly suggested to remove any GFO. Do I remove carbon as well?

<i>No, you can run the carbon in your tank to help keep the water clarity up.</i>

6) Right now my pH stays in the lower range at 8.0-8.1 throughout the day. It's low, but stable. (I have an AC3 with Aquanotes) ORP is in the 420's most the time. Alk is between 9-10. Any concern with any of those numbers as far as vodka dosing goes?

<i>Do you run ozone? 420 is pretty high, but if you have an ozonizer, not surprising. The other numbers still work. Alkalinity may drop somewhat with vodka dosing.</i>

7) Right now I feed nori once a day and frozen mysis or cyclop or Formula 1 or 2 pellets once a day (just one of those, once a day). I don't specifically feed the corals anything. Will I need to up my feeding or should I leave it like it is for now?

<i>When you see No3 and Po4 drop, you can increase feedings without worrying about overloading your tank.</i>

 

[jayk198030]

im getting drunk with the fish from now on lol 3ml for them 1liter for me lol

 

[rachelcb80]

Thanks Marc!

I don't run ozone. I just brought up Aquanotes to check right quick and my ORP is at 418 (pH is 8.16). Should I be concerned?

I just bought a new batch of Astreas but I'd like to get some Ceriths as well. My LFS just didn't have any in last week.

I dose DIY 2 part. If I notice my Alk falling, should I increase my daily 2 part dose?

Okay, well it looks like as soon as I get some new tests I'll be ready to go!

 

[spleify]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14712399#post14712399 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hogwash
Bump...

Kudos to you Mr. Diggler, nice thread!

Thanks bro only one person I know, knows what this means.

 

[Heinz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14714105#post14714105 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jayk198030
im getting drunk with the fish from now on lol 3ml for them 1liter for me lol

dosing for you is 0.5l/100lb, dont over dose tho

 

[Phillybean]

I have a 75 gallon reef. I had a massive Nitrate spike and water changes and Vodka.

I dose 3ml to 3.6ml of Vodka daily and havent seen Nitrates in 4 months. I think Zeovit is the way to go, however I don't have the money to make the investment yet.

 

[murraycamp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14714038#post14714038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
1) Is my skimmer sufficient for my set up to dose vodka?

<i>Yes.</i>

2) I know the vodka dosing will probably help with the remainder of the hair algae, but will it likely increase my already existing cyano problem?

<i>It should help, but you may have to be more proactive with some new hungry snails too. Cyano may increase or decrease. In my case, it just kind of stuck around, but never got out of hand.</i>

3) Is what I'm doing with my sandbed any issue with starting vodka dosing?

<i>You don't need to siphon the sandbed, but it won't hurt it. It sounds like you only want it for decor instead of denitrification.</i>

4) What's the general concensus on which tests are best for nitrates and phosphates?

<i>Elos, Salifert, API - all of these are used with good results.</i>

5) I see it mostly suggested to remove any GFO. Do I remove carbon as well?

<i>No, you can run the carbon in your tank to help keep the water clarity up.</i>

6) Right now my pH stays in the lower range at 8.0-8.1 throughout the day. It's low, but stable. (I have an AC3 with Aquanotes) ORP is in the 420's most the time. Alk is between 9-10. Any concern with any of those numbers as far as vodka dosing goes?

<i>Do you run ozone? 420 is pretty high, but if you have an ozonizer, not surprising. The other numbers still work. Alkalinity may drop somewhat with vodka dosing.</i>

7) Right now I feed nori once a day and frozen mysis or cyclop or Formula 1 or 2 pellets once a day (just one of those, once a day). I don't specifically feed the corals anything. Will I need to up my feeding or should I leave it like it is for now?

<i>When you see No3 and Po4 drop, you can increase feedings without worrying about overloading your tank.</i>

+1 to what Marc said. I have a slightly different opinion on the test kits issue based on my personal experience, but that's obviously subjective. I have had problems with Salifert kits in terms of consistency and accuracy.

FWIW, I use the following tests, and have a reasonable level of comfort with the results I get:

Alk LaMotte

Ca Elos

NO3 LaMotte

PO4 Hanna photometer (will actually cost the same or save money over the long run, as reagent refills are not that expensive)

Mg Elos

K KZ (but only because of a lack of options)

API has been the most reliable for me for a lower price-point test. The resolution is typically not that great, but it will get you in the ballpark. I would consider a better Alk test though if you are running an ULNS system, as Alk stability in the NSW range can be crucial.

HTH

 

[murraycamp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14714857#post14714857 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phillybean
I think Zeovit is the way to go, however I don't have the money to make the investment yet.

It's actually not that expensive. You are looking at about $200-300 up front, and the basic 4 additives last a long time. My experience has been that it is very concentrated.

HTH

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14714146#post14714146 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rachelcb80
Thanks Marc!

I don't run ozone. I just brought up Aquanotes to check right quick and my ORP is at 418 (pH is 8.16). Should I be concerned?

I just bought a new batch of Astreas but I'd like to get some Ceriths as well. My LFS just didn't have any in last week.

I dose DIY 2 part. If I notice my Alk falling, should I increase my daily 2 part dose?

Okay, well it looks like as soon as I get some new tests I'll be ready to go!

My ozone runs rather high, and I don't use ozone either. It isn't nearly as high as yours though, so I tend to think your probe isn't telling you the truth (just like I don't really believe mine either). You need to clean it weekly, and it would be wise if you had the correct calibration solution to get it set correctly (me too, of course). I just look at the number for consistency, not for any specific number I need. Currently, mine is 325 and tends to rise to nearly 340. Anyone that really cares about ORP would tell me this number is too high on my system. And they'd tell you the same on yours.

When you think about it, ORP that high would indicate excellent oxygenation. So pH would be quite a bit higher, but 8.16 is perfectly fine.

The alkalinity range tends to be 8-9 dKH in tanks dosed with vodka.

 

[rachelcb80]

Marc,

Maybe I'll pick up some calibration fluid when I order some new tests, just so I know it's reading correctly. Apparently not that it matters though.

Thanks again!

 

[jterrell]

So I have a question. How do you determine dosage if nitrate and phosphate reads zero at the start?

 

[Genetics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14725917#post14725917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jterrell
So I have a question. How do you determine dosage if nitrate and phosphate reads zero at the start?

Do you have an algae issue? If so then start off slow and monitor for algae reduction. When you find a dosing level that controls the algae growth, stay at that level for an indefinite period of time.

 

[jterrell]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14726051#post14726051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Genetics
Do you have an algae issue? If so then start off slow and monitor for algae reduction. When you find a dosing level that controls the algae growth, stay at that level for an indefinite period of time.

Yes, I have mostly LPS which I feed pretty heavy. I've mostly just pruned the algae back when it got out of control but it's starting to really get bad. I'm doing every thing else to keep it down but but it seems to get worse with every precaution I take, (rinsing frozen food, extra water changes, cutting back on feedings, ect.) After reading this thread I decided to give it a try. I'm starting out this week with 1.5 ml for the estimated 40gal total water volume. Next week I will double the dose. Does this sound about right?

 

[NeveSSL]

Excellent, excellent thread! I am about to start dosing myself.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14528682#post14528682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleify
Marc what program are you using to monitor your params?

FWIW, a great website to use for tracking parameters is ReefNook.com. There are others, but this one seems to be the best developed. You can also integrate your aquarium controller for automatic parameter logging and then manually do the stuff you test for.

Also, what test kits do you all recommend for NO3 and PO4? I've got a Salifert NO3 test kit at the moment, but I'm not sure how accurate it is and its not very high resolution, so to speak, so before embarking on Vodka, I want to make sure I have A) A good understanding of the process B) A good skimmer (I've got an Octopus DNW-200 coming, rated 300g and my system is 55g net ) and C) Some good test kits.

Thanks all!

Brandon

 

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14726740#post14726740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NeveSSL
Also, what test kits do you all recommend for NO3 and PO4?

I like LaMotte for testing nitrates.

 

[Marsfrogie]

Is 1/4 TSP of sugar a good dosage for a 65gallon net system? I'm just doing it for growing bacterial food for the corals and an attempt to get them to color up.

 

[spleify]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14726275#post14726275 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jterrell
I'm starting out this week with 1.5 ml for the estimated 40gal total water volume. Next week I will double the dose. Does this sound about right?

Where did you get your starting dosage from? Or am I missing something? For 40 gal net water volume, using 40 proof vodka, you should start out with .3-.4ml/day for the first 3 days.
Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[spleify]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14727107#post14727107 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marsfrogie
Is 1/4 TSP of sugar a good dosage for a 65gallon net system? I'm just doing it for growing bacterial food for the corals and an attempt to get them to color up.

How will you be dosing this?

 

[Marsfrogie]

Straight into the tank once a day. How should I dose it?

 

[Genetics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14727107#post14727107 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marsfrogie
Is 1/4 TSP of sugar a good dosage for a 65gallon net system? I'm just doing it for growing bacterial food for the corals and an attempt to get them to color up.

People have issues when using 1tsp on 200g over the course of several months. I would say to start at something lower.