Who's dosing vodka? And why?
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impur
New member
I got home yesterday and checked my tank. My clam does not look good. It sits about 3/4 the way up the tank and it was not open, and its byssal threads where detaching from the rock it has sat on for over 3 years. I moved it with the rock down onto the sandbed but it still hasn't opened and looks terrible.
Everything else looks great. No noticable effects on my algae yet, and corals all have great PE and color.
Anyone else have problems with clams and dosing vodka?
Everything else looks great. No noticable effects on my algae yet, and corals all have great PE and color.
Anyone else have problems with clams and dosing vodka?
I have seen others keep healthy clams while dosing vodka. But, I have speculated that vodka dosing could be harmful to clams. Clams feed on phytoplankton and vodka limits the growth of phyto by promoting bacterial growth (presumably to out compete the phyo) and by depleting nutrients and trace elements. This could theoretically starve clams.
Vodka or clam gurus any thoughts on this idea?
Even if this is true, it may have nothing to do with what is happening to your clam.
Vodka or clam gurus any thoughts on this idea?
Even if this is true, it may have nothing to do with what is happening to your clam.
I kept a few clams without issues. Have you introduced any new clams recently? What type was it and how large was it?
I don't know if phyto levels change drastically with dosing. I have also not seen concrete evidence that trace element depletion actually occurs with organic dosing, even though there is always some discussion on K depletion. As clams get larger their requirements for phyto are supposed to diminish b/c they can get more energy from sunlight.
impur
New member
The clam was completely dead this morning. It was fine the day before i started dosing. Then slowely stopped opening and died. All in less than 6 days. The only thing i have been doing differently is the vodka. I haven't even increased the dosage yet.
Tested last night:
ph: 8.3
SG: 35ppt
alk: 8dKH
calcium: 420ppm
NO3: 0
PO4: 0
I'm going to continue with the vodka dosing in hopes of eliminating the red turf algae and since all my other corals/livestock are doing fine.
Tested last night:
ph: 8.3
SG: 35ppt
alk: 8dKH
calcium: 420ppm
NO3: 0
PO4: 0
I'm going to continue with the vodka dosing in hopes of eliminating the red turf algae and since all my other corals/livestock are doing fine.
KillerReef
Wrasse-a-holic
If your no3 and po4 is already 0, I don't think dosing is going to help. I would think there is another underlying problem..
trueblackpercula
New member
Can you check your clam to see if there is a tiny hole in the shell itself? There could be a snails that eat it.
Sorry for your loss
Michael Anthony
Sorry for your loss
Michael Anthony
Has anybody just low dosed vodka? Using red sea test kits, my phosphates and nitrates read zero, but I have some pretty serious GHA.
I heard the method was to find a maintenance dose as you progress with the vodka regimen in proportion to the reduction of N and P. But I cannot do that due to already having zero readings.
So, what if I just add low amounts daily, like the initial dosing figures and just keep it there? Thoughts appreciated.
I heard the method was to find a maintenance dose as you progress with the vodka regimen in proportion to the reduction of N and P. But I cannot do that due to already having zero readings.
So, what if I just add low amounts daily, like the initial dosing figures and just keep it there? Thoughts appreciated.
impur
New member
Nope no snails. Nothing added in over 150 days. Clam went south the day vodka was introduced.
KillerReef - underlying problem as in? I do have 0 readings for N and P but obviously my rock is leaching enough for the red turf algae to consume it immediately and use it. Thus the carbon dosing.
KillerReef - underlying problem as in? I do have 0 readings for N and P but obviously my rock is leaching enough for the red turf algae to consume it immediately and use it. Thus the carbon dosing.
Reef_Matrix29
Water Lover
Is anything else in your tank showing signs of stress or doing better since starting the vodka?
(Jenni quietly says "HI, Miles, how is Oregon?"... not wanting to hijack)
Then...
Sorry, about your clam...I am just starting the vodka stuff... hopefully I won't lose anything...
Then...
Sorry, about your clam...I am just starting the vodka stuff... hopefully I won't lose anything...
stop by the club site sometimes, always nice to hear from ya! How are things back east?
things in kansas are pretty unexciting...we moved back here because I thought I wanted to be closer to my family... you know the saying..."be careful what you wish for"....LOL I really miss Portland, except for the RAIN...and all of our great friends there. Kansas just can't cpmpete with the city of Portland and all of the things to do there.
I will get on the site sometime...is it still PNWMAS??? I emailed back and forth with Joel last week about possibly purchasing some of his corals since he is trying to liquidate WAVES...I guess he started a new job.
Take care...
I will get on the site sometime...is it still PNWMAS??? I emailed back and forth with Joel last week about possibly purchasing some of his corals since he is trying to liquidate WAVES...I guess he started a new job.
Take care...
Reef_Matrix29
Water Lover
Just a quick question and maybe its already been answered, if your tank is 0 for N and P, are you dosing something like DT or amino acid formula to supplement what's being taken out by the vodka dosing? I would think that you might be starving your clam with the already pristine water conditions....just a thought.
