How much vodka dosing should I do?

[Leon Gorani]

I have high phosphates and a lot of green hair algae and I heard vodka dosing is a good way to keep that under control or have it go down. My tanks water volume is a little more than 20 gallons, how many ml of vodka should I dose? I heard I would need to do .1 ml of vodka per day. But that seems really low to me, I could be wrong. I heard overdoing could cause a crash. What is the recommended amount that I should be dosing vodka? Thanks!

 

[Silver14SS]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

Depends on the vodka proof.

 

[Leon Gorani]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

Depends on the vodka proof.

the one I have is 80 proof

 

[Leon Gorani]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

Depends on the vodka proof.

It’s 80 proof

 

[Silver14SS]

The article is well worth a read, here's the 80 proof table.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

Depends on the vodka proof.

The article is well worth a read, here's the 80 proof table.

Like silver said, please read it carefully and watch for bacteria blooms along the way. Better to go slow and do 1/2 doses than overdose.

It is a great method, but have you tried to address the source of your concerns as well? The best way to control it long term is to find the source.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would not presume that organic carbon dosing is going to solve an algae problem. In my tank, macroalgae thrived no matter how much I dosed (using vinegar).

FWIW, i dosed it for other reasons (bacteria for filter feeders), not primarily nutrient reduction.

 

[Miami Reef]

I would not presume that organic carbon dosing is going to solve an algae problem. In my tank, macroalgae thrived no matter how much I dosed (using vinegar).

FWIW, i dosed it for other reasons (bacteria for filter feeders), not primarily nutrient reduction.

Old thread; I know.

Did you test your levels while dosing? I assume vodka dosing would solve an algae problem if enough was dosed and frequent testing were implemented to ensure levels dropped to a satisfactory level. You would also need to make sure that elevated nutrients are causing the algae rather than a new tank bloom. I don’t see why organic carbon wouldn’t work the same as GFO or Phosban is both additives helped maintain a lower level of nutrients.

What are your thoughts?