Vodka Dosing.
- Thread starter spanko
- Start date
spanko
Active Member
Do you think it unlikely?
If you have any macro algae in the system, these readings are not unusual. The macros will continually uptake the nitrates and phosphates so that you get a zero reading. If you have algae growth, you have nitrate and phosphate, it is just being absorbed by the algae. Which also means it is still in the system until you harvest the algae out. If for some strange reason all of the algae in the system were to die today at 5:00 pm all pent up nutrient would be released back into the water column.
If you have any macro algae in the system, these readings are not unusual. The macros will continually uptake the nitrates and phosphates so that you get a zero reading. If you have algae growth, you have nitrate and phosphate, it is just being absorbed by the algae. Which also means it is still in the system until you harvest the algae out. If for some strange reason all of the algae in the system were to die today at 5:00 pm all pent up nutrient would be released back into the water column.
renogaw
Active Member
I dont know... i feed my fish a lot of flake, but it doesn't have much in the way of phosphates in the ingredients. I'm only scraping maybe once a week, but my chaeto grows REALLY well (i just got rid of 5 baggies) and i do get that darn cyano in the sump on the chaeto. and i also have a really nasty spongey algae ini the overflow.
so i *guess* it's possible that the algae is eating the p and n, but to get both tests to zero? i'm wondering about the accuracy...
so i *guess* it's possible that the algae is eating the p and n, but to get both tests to zero? i'm wondering about the accuracy...
spanko
Active Member
Not unusal. The algae are using the nutrients quickly. I would try to harvest out the algae in the overflow too. Have you read any of the Turf Algae Scrubber threads. It is kind of the same thing, water flowing over the area, light on it and that algae grows. Another way to get nutrients out. Do you have a skimmer? Sorry if you already said I don't remeber. Is it doing a good job for you? How often do you feed the fish? Use anything other than flake?
spanko
Active Member
Yeah wasn't saying that you should get an algae scrubber going. Only that the algae accumulating on/in the overflow should also be harvested out as another nutrient export. So you have sold off/gotten rid of a bunch of the Chaetomorpha. Is there now room in the fuge for it to tumble around some and is there enough flow to tumble it? If so this should help with taking care of the cyano you get growing on the top of it. Keep harvesting for the nutrient export. Don't let it grow so much that it is not moving around, the more light you let get to the entire ball the more it will grow and the more uptake you wil experience.
rigdon87
Member
Hey spanko
.
I'm having a problem with red turf and hair algae.My trates and phos. are undetectable but there obviously there due to my problem.I have been doin some extensive resaerch on this subject and would like to hear your opinion on whether i would benefit from dosing.
I have spoken to Stanlalee about this as he turned me on to this method.I would like to learn more and hear more about peoples personal experience on this.
Any help is appreciated and thanks in advaced.
I'm having a problem with red turf and hair algae.My trates and phos. are undetectable but there obviously there due to my problem.I have been doin some extensive resaerch on this subject and would like to hear your opinion on whether i would benefit from dosing.
I have spoken to Stanlalee about this as he turned me on to this method.I would like to learn more and hear more about peoples personal experience on this.
Any help is appreciated and thanks in advaced.
spanko
Active Member
I did not start this procedure to eliminate any unwanted algae, although one of the things it has done is exactly that. (including the Chaetomorpha in my fuge!) If you read back in the beginning of this thread you will see my reasons for starting a carbon dosing regimen.
That said, it is not something I would at first recommend to somebody trying to control an algae outbreak. I am sure you have read enough information about the husbandry of our tanks to know that nutrient and light are what feed algae. And that control - export of nutrient is most important here.
If you are serious about starting a carbon dosing program my only advise to you is to read everything you can on the subject. A google search will bring up a lot of links to info. Know this though, there is a real chance of crashing the system if not done correctly. It is important to follow the procedure exactly, including having a good skimmer on the system.
I suggest your first read be the first link that comes up when putting the following into a google search
Vodka Dosing...Distilled! A Powerful Method for the Reduction of ...
Keep posting here please. As you can see we are having some folks join in, and the more info we can add here the better understanding we will all have.
That said, it is not something I would at first recommend to somebody trying to control an algae outbreak. I am sure you have read enough information about the husbandry of our tanks to know that nutrient and light are what feed algae. And that control - export of nutrient is most important here.
If you are serious about starting a carbon dosing program my only advise to you is to read everything you can on the subject. A google search will bring up a lot of links to info. Know this though, there is a real chance of crashing the system if not done correctly. It is important to follow the procedure exactly, including having a good skimmer on the system.
I suggest your first read be the first link that comes up when putting the following into a google search
Vodka Dosing...Distilled! A Powerful Method for the Reduction of ...
Keep posting here please. As you can see we are having some folks join in, and the more info we can add here the better understanding we will all have.
rigdon87
Member
Thanks spanko
.And yes Iam very farmilar with that article,but since my levels are that low will carbon dosing even make a difference and is it worth the risk?.I have pretty much had a algae problem since day one and just recently switch to ro/di(7-8mnths ago).I change 30g of water every two weeks,feed maybe once or twice a week tops. so i have no clue why iam having this problem.I just took out(about a week ago) probobly 200lbs of my lr and srcubed it with a steel brush but i can see its(red turf) already creeping back up.My frustation is borderline rediculous at this point.I have narrowed it down to two options,either vodka dosing or a type of chemical algae killer.
spanko
Active Member
If your levels are that low it is only because the algae are using the nutrients up as fast as they appear. Do you have mechanical and or chemical filtration? What does it consist of? Are you cleaning it regularly? Maybe you have to go to weekly water changes and cleaning for a while.
I am literally using 6 drops of vodka a day. For reference 20 drops equals 1.0 ml. The table on the article referenced says I should be dosing somewhere between 3.5 - 7.0 mls per day in my size tank. You can see I am being overly cautious here. Probably not getting the maximum bang I could, but also I feel comfortable with what I am doing, my algae is gone and my SPS are responding well.
You have to be ready like I am to have a full system crash without saying damn I wish I never would have started this. Not saying it will happen but there are enough stories out there where it has.
IDK of course the choice is yours so perhaps you do want to start down the path of creating an ultra low nutrient tank.
I am literally using 6 drops of vodka a day. For reference 20 drops equals 1.0 ml. The table on the article referenced says I should be dosing somewhere between 3.5 - 7.0 mls per day in my size tank. You can see I am being overly cautious here. Probably not getting the maximum bang I could, but also I feel comfortable with what I am doing, my algae is gone and my SPS are responding well.
You have to be ready like I am to have a full system crash without saying damn I wish I never would have started this. Not saying it will happen but there are enough stories out there where it has.
IDK of course the choice is yours so perhaps you do want to start down the path of creating an ultra low nutrient tank.
rigdon87
Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3169704
If your levels are that low it is only because the algae are using the nutrients up as fast as they appear. Do you have mechanical and or chemical filtration? What does it consist of? Are you cleaning it regulary? Maybe you have to go to weekly water changes and cleaning for a while.
IDK of course the choice is yours so perhaps you do want to start down the path of creating an ultra low nutient tank.
My filtration is as follows:
40gsump/fuge
live rock rubble and 6" dsb,and maybe two handfuls of cheato(in fuge)
msx 300(rated for 5-6x my tank)
No filter pads,socks or carbon
DT 300lbs+ lr
and a ulns is exactly what i was goin for but kinda confused on how to go about it.From my understanding:When dosing the carbon source it states when levels become undetectable cut your current weeks dose in half and that would be your maintenece dose but since my levels are already undetectable(due to algae) how will i know when to cut the dosing back so i dnt crash my system??
http:///forum/post/3169704
If your levels are that low it is only because the algae are using the nutrients up as fast as they appear. Do you have mechanical and or chemical filtration? What does it consist of? Are you cleaning it regulary? Maybe you have to go to weekly water changes and cleaning for a while.
IDK of course the choice is yours so perhaps you do want to start down the path of creating an ultra low nutient tank.
My filtration is as follows:
40gsump/fuge
live rock rubble and 6" dsb,and maybe two handfuls of cheato(in fuge)
msx 300(rated for 5-6x my tank)
No filter pads,socks or carbon
DT 300lbs+ lr
and a ulns is exactly what i was goin for but kinda confused on how to go about it.From my understanding:When dosing the carbon source it states when levels become undetectable cut your current weeks dose in half and that would be your maintenece dose but since my levels are already undetectable(due to algae) how will i know when to cut the dosing back so i dnt crash my system??
spanko
Active Member
I was editing while you were typing. Please go back and read what I added to post #272. I had the same problem as you as my nitrates and phosphates were undetectable. So how do you know where to go to a maintenance level. Again my goal was not algae reduction but SPS polyp extension and coloring. So as you can read above I am at a level I am comfortable with that is far below the recommended lever for my tank. Pretty much in my case a crap shoot I was willing to try.
rigdon87
Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3169704
If your levels are that low it is only because the algae are using the nutrients up as fast as they appear. Do you have mechanical and or chemical filtration? What does it consist of? Are you cleaning it regularly? Maybe you have to go to weekly water changes and cleaning for a while.
I am literally using 6 drops of vodka a day. For reference 20 drops equals 1.0 ml. The table on the article referenced says I should be dosing somewhere between 3.5 - 7.0 mls per day in my size tank. You can see I am being overly cautious here. Probably not getting the maximum bang I could, but also I feel comfortable with what I am doing, my algae is gone and my SPS are responding well.
You have to be ready like I am to have a full system crash without saying damn I wish I never would have started this. Not saying it will happen but there are enough stories out there where it has.
IDK of course the choice is yours so perhaps you do want to start down the path of creating an ultra low nutrient tank.
And thats exactly my problem,im in a pickle here henry.I don't really kno where to start and dnt want to come in blind folded.Is that you maintence dose or are you still increasing weekly??And i dnt kno were i read this at but once you start dosing, it's nearly impossible to stop as the system has become dependant on it? is that true
http:///forum/post/3169704
If your levels are that low it is only because the algae are using the nutrients up as fast as they appear. Do you have mechanical and or chemical filtration? What does it consist of? Are you cleaning it regularly? Maybe you have to go to weekly water changes and cleaning for a while.
I am literally using 6 drops of vodka a day. For reference 20 drops equals 1.0 ml. The table on the article referenced says I should be dosing somewhere between 3.5 - 7.0 mls per day in my size tank. You can see I am being overly cautious here. Probably not getting the maximum bang I could, but also I feel comfortable with what I am doing, my algae is gone and my SPS are responding well.
You have to be ready like I am to have a full system crash without saying damn I wish I never would have started this. Not saying it will happen but there are enough stories out there where it has.
IDK of course the choice is yours so perhaps you do want to start down the path of creating an ultra low nutrient tank.
And thats exactly my problem,im in a pickle here henry.I don't really kno where to start and dnt want to come in blind folded.Is that you maintence dose or are you still increasing weekly??And i dnt kno were i read this at but once you start dosing, it's nearly impossible to stop as the system has become dependant on it? is that true
dutch06
Member
Originally Posted by Rigdon87
http:///forum/post/3169727
And thats exactly my problem,im in a pickle here henry.I don't really kno where to start and dnt want to come in blind folded.Is that you maintence dose or are you still increasing weekly??And i dnt kno were i read this at but once you start dosing, it's nearly impossible to stop as the system has become dependant on it? is that true
Rigdon - I was in the same boat. I had no idea where to start. I had zero nitrates and zero phosphates. I wanted to start my rebuild (dinoflagellates) with a better system than I had previously. I was never happy with color or PE of my corals. I dosed MB7 per bottle recommendations for my size tank for two weeks. I then began with 0.4ml of Vodka and 3 drops of MB7. (Your going to need a syringe, 0.4 ml is virtually nothing.) Water was crystal clear. About two weeks in I developed a very small patch of cyano. I cut my vodka dose to .2ml and raised MB7 to 4 drops. That was approximately eight days ago. After one week, all cyano was gone and I raised vodka to .3ml and lowered MB7 to 3 drops. This is where I am.
After dinos, I'm prepared for anything that happens good or bad. I stopped worrying about everything that could go wrong. I'm dosing more stuff now than I ever have and my tank is a chemistry experiment at the moment. As of today, I'm very happy with the results.
http:///forum/post/3169727
And thats exactly my problem,im in a pickle here henry.I don't really kno where to start and dnt want to come in blind folded.Is that you maintence dose or are you still increasing weekly??And i dnt kno were i read this at but once you start dosing, it's nearly impossible to stop as the system has become dependant on it? is that true
Rigdon - I was in the same boat. I had no idea where to start. I had zero nitrates and zero phosphates. I wanted to start my rebuild (dinoflagellates) with a better system than I had previously. I was never happy with color or PE of my corals. I dosed MB7 per bottle recommendations for my size tank for two weeks. I then began with 0.4ml of Vodka and 3 drops of MB7. (Your going to need a syringe, 0.4 ml is virtually nothing.) Water was crystal clear. About two weeks in I developed a very small patch of cyano. I cut my vodka dose to .2ml and raised MB7 to 4 drops. That was approximately eight days ago. After one week, all cyano was gone and I raised vodka to .3ml and lowered MB7 to 3 drops. This is where I am.
After dinos, I'm prepared for anything that happens good or bad. I stopped worrying about everything that could go wrong. I'm dosing more stuff now than I ever have and my tank is a chemistry experiment at the moment. As of today, I'm very happy with the results.
rigdon87
Member
Originally Posted by Dutch06
http:///forum/post/3171044
Rigdon - I was in the same boat. I had no idea where to start. I had zero nitrates and zero phosphates. I wanted to start my rebuild (dinoflagellates) with a better system than I had previously. I was never happy with color or PE of my corals. I dosed MB7 per bottle recommendations for my size tank for two weeks. I then began with 0.4ml of Vodka and 3 drops of MB7. (Your going to need a syringe, 0.4 ml is virtually nothing.) Water was crystal clear. About two weeks in I developed a very small patch of cyano. I cut my vodka dose to .2ml and raised MB7 to 4 drops. That was approximately eight days ago. After one week, all cyano was gone and I raised vodka to .3ml and lowered MB7 to 3 drops. This is where I am.
After dinos, I'm prepared for anything that happens good or bad. I stopped worrying about everything that could go wrong. I'm dosing more stuff now than I ever have and my tank is a chemistry experiment at the moment. As of today, I'm very happy with the results.
Hey dutch whats mb7??
http:///forum/post/3171044
Rigdon - I was in the same boat. I had no idea where to start. I had zero nitrates and zero phosphates. I wanted to start my rebuild (dinoflagellates) with a better system than I had previously. I was never happy with color or PE of my corals. I dosed MB7 per bottle recommendations for my size tank for two weeks. I then began with 0.4ml of Vodka and 3 drops of MB7. (Your going to need a syringe, 0.4 ml is virtually nothing.) Water was crystal clear. About two weeks in I developed a very small patch of cyano. I cut my vodka dose to .2ml and raised MB7 to 4 drops. That was approximately eight days ago. After one week, all cyano was gone and I raised vodka to .3ml and lowered MB7 to 3 drops. This is where I am.
After dinos, I'm prepared for anything that happens good or bad. I stopped worrying about everything that could go wrong. I'm dosing more stuff now than I ever have and my tank is a chemistry experiment at the moment. As of today, I'm very happy with the results.
Hey dutch whats mb7??
dutch06
Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3171083
Google Brightwell Macrobacter 7. Or go to brightwell aquatics . com hit the products tab then go down to the list on the bottom of the page and click on Microbacter 7.
+1
http:///forum/post/3171083
Google Brightwell Macrobacter 7. Or go to brightwell aquatics . com hit the products tab then go down to the list on the bottom of the page and click on Microbacter 7.
+1