Dealing with high nitrates and phosphates

[jasonandsarah]

So let me get this straight im using vodka? Like actual absolute vodka? Im stressing out. I may need a bottle to myself after this.

Unless you want to buy something more expensive for the fun of it!

Yes cheapest non flavored vodka you can buy. Randy Holmes has written a couple different threads on the subject. You should read up on it and get a dosing chart.

 

[AaronOB82]

Ill have to do my research. I may not even do any of this. I may just do 50% water changes.

 

[jasonandsarah]

The problem with that is you said your already doing regular water changes and it's making little difference?
Done properly carbon dosing is very safe and will help make your tank healthy and happy.
maybe you should try vinager instead of vodka first as it's weaker and harder to mess up or overdose.
Here's the vinager dosing chart I used when I first started...

 

[jasonandsarah]

Oh yeah and I now only dose 5ml a day of vinager to keep things balanced.
75g with a 40 breeder sump.

 

[AaronOB82]

So that chart measures in ml?

 

[roadrashpaul]

So let me get this straight im using vodka? Like actual absolute vodka? Im stressing out. I may need a bottle to myself after this.

Not to be a jerk here but 10 people have told you the same thing and posted links for you to read. Did you read them? If you think they are messing you, Google carbon or vodka or vinegar dosing for a reef tank. You are wanting someone to give you a magic answer that is going to fix everything instantly. There isn't one. Start doing some reading and listen to what these guys have to say.

 

[jasonandsarah]

Yes, make sure you check the % of acetic acid because the chart is based on 5%... most brands are 5% but some are different.

 

[AaronOB82]

Ill make sure im getting the right stuff. Now its regular 5% vinagar? And im just dosing straight vinagar into my tank based on that chart? Or is there some other ingredients im adding? Pouring vinagar into my tank seems crazy.

 

[jasonandsarah]

It does seem crazy at first that's completely understandable. To answer your question yes your dosing 5% vinegar by that chart directly to your tank without adding anything else.

If I was you I would definitely go back to the first page of this thread and read the link that Randy Holmes posted if you can't trust him on anything Reef chemistry related then you definitely shouldn't be listening to me!:tongue:

 

[jasonandsarah]

Reefkeeping Magazine - Vinegar Dosing Methodology for the Marine Aquarium
sorry I thought Randy had already posted? Here is one of the carbon dosing articles

 

[AaronOB82]

Im getting different opinions from everyone.

 

[Shep]

So for that chart do you dose daily or weekly?

 

[AaronOB82]

Okay i got everything i think. Does the .2 ml matter? Like istead of dosing 11.2ml could i dose 11ml?

 

[Reefing Madness]

I've been dosing for years. Its not a big deal. Drop a few mls in the tank in the morning and a few in the evening, and bingo, no Nitrates.
Do not use an expensive Vodka, or one with any flavoring.

 

[dsilvery]

 

[beaslbob]

FWIW water changes will limit but not prevent build ups of nitrate, phosphates, or anything else that is increasing or decreasing. Which is why you have to add cal, alk, and mag.
If you want to lower nitrates and phosphates you must increase the consumers of those things. IMHO the best thing is marco algae which consumer 16 nitrates for each phosphates to recycle fish wastes into fish food and oxygen.
my .02

 

[dsilvery]

I used a combination of methods to get mine under control. I have a 29 gallon. The problem is the build up is in the live rock and will leach out. I started a biopellet reactor from marine depot made by hydra aquatics. It is cone shape in the bottom to prevent pellets from gelling up and gassing your tank. I've had this happen and you lose all your fish. There is rijsk. The key thing is keeping your pump that runs the reactor maintained. Sometimes the pump dies like mine then you have to pull the reactor off drain the water wash the pellets and start it back up with a new pump. What is did was use the biopellet reactor then place nitrate reducing pad cut out to fit in the return from my skimmer. Then I rotated the pad after a week to the phosphate pad and let it run for a week. Rinsing the pad off with RODI water to reuse. Then use a turkey baster to blow off the debris on your rock and do your weekly water changes of 20%.. Every water change I vacuum part of my sand bed. There are people that are strongly against this but there is a lot of detritus that builds up there and that can hike your nitrates especially if you feed a lot. Do not clean your entire sand bed in one water change as you will create a bigger problem. A small portion at a time and a different area each water change. This is how you put a dent in your phosphates and nitrates.

 

[AaronOB82]

Ive tried many things over time. I've tried not vacuuming my sand bed, and i recently stareted vaccuming the entire sand bed. Ill take the advice of everyone and ill try to start vinegar dosing starting next week. I read somewhere too that if your rocks are all together in one big pile then that can cause your levels to rise. Ill head out today after work and grab some vinegar and a turkey blaster and ill start dosing on sunday. Ill take that chart into serious consideration. Thanks guys!!!

 

[Z06-Hec]

I dont even use Absolute, i went to liquor store and asked for their cheapest vodka... still 80proof and thats what i use...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Reefkeeping Magazine - Vinegar Dosing Methodology for the Marine Aquarium
sorry I thought Randy had already posted? Here is one of the carbon dosing articles

I thought I did too. I wonder what happened?