Im curious how much does vodka raise alk? My normal alk has been 8dkh with limewater but daily vodka dosing of 2-4ml 80 proof seems to have raised my alk to 11dkh. Tank is 40ish gallons.
Alk rise from vodka
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BiggieJohn
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Randy has a good explanation here
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/can-carbon-dosing-cause-alkalinity-increase.265458/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/can-carbon-dosing-cause-alkalinity-increase.265458/
OP
OP
Thanks, that makes sense. However is it possible to know how much of an alkalinity rise is made per ml of vodka in X amount of gallons? This way i wont overdose.
What about other things like ammonia or nitrite would they be used in the process to produce alkalinity too, or just nitrate?
What about other things like ammonia or nitrite would they be used in the process to produce alkalinity too, or just nitrate?
Randy Holmes-Farley
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It is not possible to know because you cannot know how much is metabolized aerobically (producing none) and by denitrification (producing some).
Ammonia consumption to produce organic matter (like bacterial bodies) has no impact on alk. Nitrite will add a little if converted into organic matter.
Ammonia consumption to produce organic matter (like bacterial bodies) has no impact on alk. Nitrite will add a little if converted into organic matter.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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It is unlikely you will see much alk rise. You increase by exactly the same amount you deplete when forming the nitrate, so over time there is no net effect.
If you start with 50 ppm nitrate and drop it to zero, that alone adds 2.3 dKH.
If you start with 50 ppm nitrate and drop it to zero, that alone adds 2.3 dKH.
OP
OP
Okay, you think i should be concerned with 11-12dkh in my reef? I recently added some gfo in the hopes it will lower some alkalinity. Ive got a montipora that seems to be growing from 1-2mm per day since vodka dosing. Whithout it, it was dying. Previously there was an ats, but the algae got covered in bacterial slime since vodka dosing. So i stopped dosing. So thats all i use now for filtration and a skimmer. And limewater in the auto top off.
