Best place to dose Vodka

[ricardh]

Anybody knows which is the best place to dose vodka, into the sump or directly into the tank?

Thanks !

 

[Anthony Scholfield]

neither....just your mouth hahaha

But in all seriousness i would refrain from carbon dosing. I found it to be more problematic than helpful. Maybe helpful short term but not long term.

 

[ricardh]

Off course, on saturday night into my glass ;=)

I know that on long term is not a good way, at least on high level dosing, but in short or low level dosing could be a way to mantain low nutrients.

 

[Anthony Scholfield]

if youre gonna use it i would dose in the sump...in baffle area or last chamber. that way it will mix with some water before hitting anything in the display.

 

[ZoWhat]

Here is the best way to dose vodka:

Here is the best way to carbon dose your tank:

I've been vodka dosing for 3yrs. My total water volume is roughly 240g and I dose about 20ml of vodka a day.

I actually turn off the main recirculating pump and pour vodka directly into a PH flow within the tank ..... I keep the recirculating pump OFF for an hour

I've seen my hungry fish swim right thru a vodka stream.....they dudnt even flinch bc I believe the vodka mixes almost instantly.

This allows the ethanol/carbon to be absorbed by the good bacteria directly within the tank. And not let the skimmer in the sump to skim out the vodka dose (which I dont think it would....but I'm a believer of direct tank dosing)

Just the way I've successfully done it.....

 

[ZoWhat]

neither....just your mouth hahaha

But in all seriousness i would refrain from carbon dosing. I found it to be more problematic than helpful. Maybe helpful short term but not long term.

I respectful disagree. I truly believe longterm permanent vodka dosing is a great thing. Carbon/ethanol dosing feeds and super charges GOOD bacteria that is essential to a reef tank. You just have to know your daily needs.

My daily needs to keep my NO3 btwn 2-5ppm is roughly 15-20ml of 80proof vodka daily.

I had a LFS convince me a year ago to stop vodka dosing..... my tank within 3 weeks looked horrible with all kinds of algae quickly invading my corals. I immediately went back to vodka dosing and the problem quickly went away.

I can see the results of feeding my good bacteria directly with my eyes and plan on never stopping vodka dosing. The $12 a month in buying a 5th of 80proof vodka is permanently apart of my Husbandry routine

 

[ricardh]

We have two point of view, and both may sounds reasonable.

More opinions ?

 

[Anthony Scholfield]

Hey if its working for you thats great. I wouldnt tell ya to stop but i wouldnt recommend it to someone not already using it.

Carbon dosing is your chosen method of nutrient export. i just believe there are better more natural ways to do it. Find what works and stick to it, consistency is key.