Who's dosing vodka? And why?

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530695#post14530695 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleify
Looks like its working. Did you have someone dosing while you were gone? I think the lenght of time it is taking for you is due to the DSB.

I agree with adding the GFO for quick reductions but believe the carbon dosing is a great alternative to constant, expensive GFO use.

I like your spread sheet, I use a similar excel spread sheet, but mine doesn't have all those pretty colors.

If you want a copy of the xls file, I'd be happy to send it over. It runs the averages automatically, which I like.

My son dosed the tank daily, and I had food prepared for him to offer each night as well. However, being away from my reef for about 14 days or more truly had an effect on how things work. Or don't.

I've never had luck with GFO, so I stick to the liquids like Phosphate Control or Phosbuster Pro.

 

[Bamm Bamm]

Well I've been up in the air on this one for a while now and after reading the reefkeeping article and melev's comments I'm definately going to start dosing=)..Any thoughts on where to get a syring.. I'm thinking of only going with a half dose though becuase I think my skimmer is sized right at the max for my tank(180g) although I do currently only have three fish in there...

 

[spleify]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530856#post14530856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bamm Bamm
Well I've been up in the air on this one for a while now and after reading the reefkeeping article and melev's comments I'm definately going to start dosing=)..Any thoughts on where to get a syring.. I'm thinking of only going with a half dose though becuase I think my skimmer is sized right at the max for my tank(180g) although I do currently only have three fish in there...

Give it a go, and keep us posted. Monitor and adjust accordingly. Watch your Alk when you start getting into the ULNS range, as you could experience alk burn quite easily. Watch feedings, and monitor all params.

PhosbusterPro, huh, intersting Marc. Never tried it, but you like it, huh?

 

[Paul_PSU]

Marc,
I just started with the pinch, pull, remove, rinse fingers in container of fresh water then repeat 1000 times method. I started about a week ago. I have not noticed much of any new growth where I pull it from on the rocks.

spleify,

My alk is always around 11 or 12. No issues with alk burn yet.

 

[PRDubois]

You can get a syring at the drug store. I use the ones they make for giving medicine to small children.

I started dosing to get the nitrates down. I have been dosing for 3 weeks now and it seems to be working.

My Monti Cap is looking great. I am using 3ml a day in a 72gal.

 

[spleify]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14531559#post14531559 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul_PSU



spleify,

My alk is always around 11 or 12. No issues with alk burn yet.

Paul, I was reffering to the lower alk once you have a ULNS(ultra low nutrient system) after carbon dosing. Your alk is spot on to what you want when running a standard system.

I agree try Walgreens or the like for the syringe, or old salifert test kit syringes, thats what I use.

PRDubois, what was your NO3 at before starting? Are you seeing a drop yet?

Thanks

Spleify

 

[tony varrell]

Mark, I would love to have your excel spread sheet if you don't mind send it to av@viking-life.com. Thanks...

 

[murraycamp]

I run three tanks at present, in two of which I am using VSV/Prodibio. Of those two, one (65 net gallons) is new (3 months) and I have .025 NO3 (LaMotte) and .01 PO4 (Hanna), dosing 1 ml VSV per day (plus the usual Prodibio regimen).

The second tank (30 gal) is three years old and went through a period of neglect (long story) and nitrates were 60+ and PO4 was 2.5. Live rock has been loaded with nutrients. After 8 weeks of VSV/Prodibio, my NO3 has fallen to 3 and PO4 to .04. I ramped up the dosages to a max of 3ml/day, but have gradually cut back to 1ml/day.

No adverse effects in either tank. FWIW, I have tried sugar only and vodka only in another tank (since broken down due to Bryopsis) and had more limited results.

For a good read on mixed carbon sources and bacterial strain diversity, check out:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...00#post13829200


My third tank is a Zeovit tank, also 3 months old. If I had it to do all over again, I would probably use VSV/Prodibio in that one.

HTH

 

[Bamm Bamm]

What if your NO3 is at 0 to begin with?

 

[KafudaFish]

I dosed vodka last year for a few months. I did vodka, vinegar and sugar. I got up to dosing 2x 1ml per day.
I was happy with the result because it killed my bryopsis. I stopped after but the bryopsis has returned so I started again this morning at 0.25 ml.
I have around 125 gallon system.

 

[murraycamp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14532730#post14532730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bamm Bamm
What if your NO3 is at 0 to begin with?

If you are running a true ULNS system (NO3=0 and PO4 < .03, then there may be no need. It would allow you to feed much more heavily (or more aggresively dose AAs) and still maintain those levels.

What test kits are you using?

 

[Jerm77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530695#post14530695 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleify
Glad to hear its working well for you. Will you continue on this path, and will you change anything?

My plan is to continue to dose, I don't dose when I'm out of town - maybe 3-4 days a month( I also run lights out during that period). Visual indicators will keep me from dosing like before. over time I may supplement new bacteria strains, the bacteria i'm relying on are from IPSF.com and what ever was in my live rock. i'm sure in time this bacteria may breed it self out to become ineffective or maybe less efficient, guess it depends how fast it evolves.

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530881#post14530881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleify
PhosbusterPro, huh, intersting Marc. Never tried it, but you like it, huh?

Yes, that product or the one by Blue Life both work well, removing measureable PO4 overnight. I emailed that file to you.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14532211#post14532211 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tony varrell
Mark, I would love to have your excel spread sheet if you don't mind send it to av@viking-life.com. Thanks...

Email sent.


FYI, the image I show in various threads and on my site are a screen shot of the spreadsheet, saved as a JPG in Photoshop with a pretty blue border.

 

[Bamm Bamm]

You know now that I think about it my standard level kits nitrate/nitrite/amm/ph is one of those faily cheap kit you buy at the lfs I dont remember the brand I need to buy some better test kits for those to be sure...

 

[spleify]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14532574#post14532574 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by murraycamp
I run three tanks at present, in two of which I am using VSV/Prodibio. Of those two, one (65 net gallons) is new (3 months) and I have .025 NO3 (LaMotte) and .01 PO4 (Hanna), dosing 1 ml VSV per day (plus the usual Prodibio regimen).

The second tank (30 gal) is three years old and went through a period of neglect (long story) and nitrates were 60+ and PO4 was 2.5. Live rock has been loaded with nutrients. After 8 weeks of VSV/Prodibio, my NO3 has fallen to 3 and PO4 to .04. I ramped up the dosages to a max of 3ml/day, but have gradually cut back to 1ml/day.

No adverse effects in either tank. FWIW, I have tried sugar only and vodka only in another tank (since broken down due to Bryopsis) and had more limited results.

For a good read on mixed carbon sources and bacterial strain diversity, check out:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...00#post13829200


My third tank is a Zeovit tank, also 3 months old. If I had it to do all over again, I would probably use VSV/Prodibio in that one.

HTH

Murray, what are you feeding habbits and current params? What I am trying to gather information of long term effects of carbon dosing.

Thanks for your experiences and please keep us abreast of your results.

Thanks

 

[spleify]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14532730#post14532730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bamm Bamm
What if your NO3 is at 0 to begin with?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14532809#post14532809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by murraycamp
If you are running a true ULNS system (NO3=0 and PO4 < .03, then there may be no need. It would allow you to feed much more heavily (or more aggresively dose AAs) and still maintain those levels.

What test kits are you using?

+1

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14534084#post14534084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bamm Bamm
You know now that I think about it my standard level kits nitrate/nitrite/amm/ph is one of those faily cheap kit you buy at the lfs I dont remember the brand I need to buy some better test kits for those to be sure...

Yes I would suggest you try and get some new test kits.

There are benefits for sure in carbon dosing even if you have undetectable NO3 and PO4. I was at 0(as far as Salifert says) when i started dosing, and have maintained that but my feedings have quadrupled. My fish and corals love it.

If you are going to start it is important to have good test kits and test early and often.

Good luck

Spleify

 

[murraycamp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14536798#post14536798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleify
Murray, what are you feeding habbits and current params? What I am trying to gather information of long term effects of carbon dosing.

Thanks for your experiences and please keep us abreast of your results.

Thanks

I feed the 65 heavily. It's a Caribbean biotope with no live rock, only using Aquaroche ceramic rock, with about 4L of Seachem Matrix in the sump. As far as corals, only photosynthetic gorgonians (3 species, 5 specimens) and Ricordea (about 50 specimens). Fish are blue reef chromis (3); swissguard basslet; chalk bass, flame cardinal and blackcap basslet.

I feed the fish one cube mysis and two large pinches of flake per day. I feed the corals 1.5 capfuls of DT's phyto plus 30 drops of Oyster feast per day (spaced out in two or three feedings). I also feed a slurry of .25 tsp of Coral Frenzy, two cubes rotifers and 15 drops Oyster fest three times per week. I also dose Reefboster (Prodibio) once per week, plus 1 ml KZ LPS AA once per day. I use Warner Marine 2 part for Ca and Alk on this tank. I am dosing 1 ml VSV/day.

Parameters: Alk 130 ppm, Ca 420; K 390-400, Salinity 35 ppt; temp 78-80; NO3 .25, PO4 .01. Mg 1300.

The 30 gallon I feed similarly, just about half as much. It's heavily (over) stocked with one coral beauty, one diadema psuedochromis and one pajama cardinal. Its a mixed tank with softies and LPS. I am dosing 1.25 ml VSV/day.

The 30 zeo tank I don't feed right now as I am having issues getting the bacterial dynamics balanced out.

HTH and thanks for your interest.

 

[murraycamp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14534084#post14534084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bamm Bamm
You know now that I think about it my standard level kits nitrate/nitrite/amm/ph is one of those faily cheap kit you buy at the lfs I dont remember the brand I need to buy some better test kits for those to be sure...

I hear you - test kits and salt mixes have been the sources of some of my greatest frustrations in the hobby. After lots of trial and error (and lots of $$ wasted) I have finally settled on the following kits:

Ca Elos
Mg Elos
Alk LaMotte
NO3 La Motte
PO4 Hanna photometer

I have a reasonable level of confidence in these tests, but that's just been my experience. Others have different opinions. My experience with Salifert has been horrible, especially in terms of consistency. As far as lower price point test kits, API seems to get in the ballpark more often than not.

HTH

 

[spleify]

Murray, this is the kind of info I was looking for!! You are doing a great job, and thank you so much for sharing your experience and habits with us.

I love what you are doing, and would love to see some pics. If you have some before and after(or during) pics that would be awesome, or just some current pics.

Thanks

Spleify

 

[murraycamp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14538246#post14538246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleify
Murray, this is the kind of info I was looking for!! You are doing a great job, and thank you so much for sharing your experience and habits with us.

I love what you are doing, and would love to see some pics. If you have some before and after(or during) pics that would be awesome, or just some current pics.

Thanks

Spleify

Glad to help! My friend just got a nice digital SLR w/ a macro lens, so we are planning on some tank shots - hopefully next week.

I know I am on the edge with this approach, but what the heck. There seems to be no established protocol for doing a biofilm based non-live rock tank, so I decided I would forge ahead and see what happens. My major surprise was that the ceramic rock/Zeovit tank has been the difficult one to get established, while the Prodibio/VSV tank has been pretty rock solid. I was expecting the reverse.

Are you doing research, or just interested in terms of your own system?