Carbon Atoms

[ksed]

I hope someone can clarify if I am incorrect. Not sure if I understand this correctly.
So if Citric Acid C6H8O7 has 6 carbon atoms, Ascorbic Acid C6H8O6 , Ethanol C2H6O1 has 2 carbon atoms and Acetic Acid C2H2O2 also 2 carbon atoms, applying this to carbon dosing, the more carbon atoms such as in Citric Acid the more potency it will have?

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I hope someone can clarify if I am incorrect. Not sure if I understand this correctly.
So if Citric Acid C6H8O7 has 6 carbon atoms, Ascorbic Acid C6H8O6 , Ethanol C2H6O1 has 2 carbon atoms and Acetic Acid C2H2O2 also 2 carbon atoms, applying this to carbon dosing, the more carbon atoms such as in Citric Acid the more potency it will have?

Thanks

No, it doesn't work that way exactly. Ethanol (2 carbon atoms) has more available energy for metabolism than acetic acid (2 carbon atoms). And that is on a mole basis. On a weight basis (or volume) it is largely self correcting for number of carbon atoms.

This question of the day discusses it:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reef-chemistry-question-of-the-day.172883/

 

[ksed]

Thanks Randy,
Where does Citric Acid and Ascorbic Acid sit in all of this?
I hear its commonly used as a carbon source in some products today.
It appears to be more stable over time vs an alcohol based carbon source.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy,
Where does Citric Acid and Ascorbic Acid sit in all of this?
I hear its commonly used as a carbon source in some products today.
It appears to be more stable over time vs an alcohol based carbon source.

More stable in what way? Certainly not in the bottle.

There was a craze a few years back to dose vitamin C (ascorbic acid). I'm not a big fan, but it certainly works as a carbon source, as will almost any metabolizable organic compound.

I've actually seen very little evidence that confirms any given carbon source if clearly better than any other.

 

[ksed]

Thanks Randy,
I was told it breaks down more slowly over time in the water column.

 

[ksed]

I figured why not use Vit C as it helps with coral calcification.
https://reefs.com/2016/06/03/importance-vitamin-c-coral-calcification-process/

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy,
I was told it breaks down more slowly over time in the water column.

Only if bacteria are consuming it. Otherise, ethanol and acetic acid (acetate) are very stable in reef aquarium water, while ascorbic acid is not, since it is quite susceptible to oxidation (that's what being an antioxidant means).

That said, is it desirable to have longer residence time in the water column? I can't think why.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I figured why not use Vit C as it helps with coral calcification.
https://reefs.com/2016/06/03/importance-vitamin-c-coral-calcification-process/

Perhaps. I wonder if any added organic would give the same result?

 

[ksed]

Interesting

 

[ksed]

Thanks