Let's Strip This System!

[john.m.cole3]

How many reefers out there know what to do to completely strip their system of all nutrients. Make it zero when you want kind of thing. Why would I want to strip my system of nutrients you ask yourself. The reason why would be control. If you go out of town for 3 days and come back to a dead fish in the tank, wouldn't it be nice to crank up your filtration to begin to overcome the issue? Maybe your sister looked after your tank for a week and her kids over fed. Now you have an algae prob. Nutrient control seems like many reefer's goals that have not been met. I think having a filtration system strong enough is important. even more important is tuning it and finding a balance

Can you strip your system in case of an emergency? How do you do it?

 

[Elementalj]

How many reefers out there know what to do to completely strip their system of all nutrients. Make it zero when you want kind of thing. Why would I want to strip my system of nutrients you ask yourself. The reason why would be control. If you go out of town for 3 days and come back to a dead fish in the tank, wouldn't it be nice to crank up your filtration to begin to overcome the issue? Maybe your sister looked after your tank for a week and her kids over fed. Now you have an algae prob. Nutrient control seems like many reefer's goals that have not been met. I think having a filtration system strong enough is important. even more important is tuning it and finding a balance

Can you strip your system in case of an emergency? How do you do it?

Skim skim skim. Then use as much GFO and carbon as possible. Vacuum out anything that looks at you funny! And get stingy with feeding.

 

[Willz]

NOPOX and wet skimming does it for me. I also have GFO and GAC reactors that I can replace the media in if it's needed.

 

[TheEngineer]

Not sure how helpful it would be in an emergency but dosing buffered vitamin c takes out all algae in my tank and the glass is spotless. Takes just a few days but maybe you could dose even higher. To get that result I dosed 1/4 tsp per 50g, twice a day.

 

[john.m.cole3]

Not sure how helpful it would be in an emergency but dosing buffered vitamin c takes out all algae in my tank and the glass is spotless. Takes just a few days but maybe you could dose even higher. To get that result I dosed 1/4 tsp per 50g, twice a day.

what's buffered vitamin c and where did you buy yours?

 

[Saltine]

Carbon Dose! Vodka/Vinegar.

 

[TheEngineer]

what's buffered vitamin c and where did you buy yours?

Ascorbic acid. The same vitamin c we eat/drink. You need the buffered kind or it drops your pH, it is acidic.

This is the kind I use. Ignore the Canadian part of the link. I'm in Toronto heading home and the website thinks it is smart

http://ca.iherb.com/NutriBiotic-Asc...-454-g/24191?gclid=CKTPqvOG49ACFQaUaQodORAICw

 

[john.m.cole3]

Ascorbic acid. The same vitamin c we eat/drink. You need the buffered kind or it drops your pH, it is acidic.

This is the kind I use. Ignore the Canadian part of the link. I'm in Toronto heading home and the website thinks it is smart

http://ca.iherb.com/NutriBiotic-Asc...-454-g/24191?gclid=CKTPqvOG49ACFQaUaQodORAICw

that's pretty cool. never heard to dose vita C to comnat nuissance algae

 

[TheEngineer]

that's pretty cool. never heard to dose vita C to comnat nuissance algae

It isn't what most people use it for. It is good for treating sick zoas. I noticed this as a side benefit.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It isn't what most people use it for. It is good for treating sick zoas. I noticed this as a side benefit.

thats VERY interesting.


I stripped my nutrients to 0 0 with my refugium, and too many corals. Boy were the zoas mad. The mushrooms still aren't talking to me.(but they are happier now.)
2 dsbs and an underrated skimmer. Tunze

 

[erk]

Carbon Dose! Vodka/Vinegar.

This is what I do. Increase vodka dosing slightly and give it time. But something to remember, nothing good happens quickly. I have seen more damage done from stripping a system of nutrients than supplying excess nutrients. Better to take it slow and easy.

 

[ksc]

I keep enough water stored to do an immediate 100% water change. The fastest and best way to stop a tank from crashing. You could even set up a system where you could do it remotely.

 

[Breadman03]

After years of poor husbandry, a combination of lanthanum chloride and heavy carbon dosing until my skimmer wasn't producing did it for me.

 

[john.m.cole3]

This is what I do. Increase vodka dosing slightly and give it time. But something to remember, nothing good happens quickly. I have seen more damage done from stripping a system of nutrients than supplying excess nutrients. Better to take it slow and easy.

No doubt on nothing good happens fast

 

[Lowstorm]

Vitamin c worked for me when carbon dosing was just starting up. Really easy to use but it is possible to over dose it.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Really cool discussion!

 

[john.m.cole3]

no diatom filter mention?

Carbon Dose! Vodka/Vinegar.

do you use a mix of vinegar and vodka? or either or?

 

[TheEngineer]

do you use a mix of vinegar and vodka? or either or?

That sounds like it would taste awful.

 

[dragon99]

no diatom filter mention?

Won't remove NO3/PO4. It's just a filter stock on steroids.

Vinegar works, vodka works, and sugar also works. NOPOX is a mix of vinegar/vodka.

 

[Saltine]

no diatom filter mention?

do you use a mix of vinegar and vodka? or either or?

I dose a mixture of both, supposed to mimic NOPX