Long Term Effects of Ethanol Based Carbon Dosing

[Bouncingsoul39]

I’ve been carbon dosing on and off the last few months. Not really looking to debate the effectiveness of it, we all know it works. But every time I get a whiff of my Red Sea NOPoX I cant help but wonder, am I slowly poisoning my tank with this ethanol/acetone mixture? Has anyone used vodka or other ethanol dosing in the long term without any observed adverse effects? Or has any testing been done? What say you?
Does it all get consumed by bacteria? Are there any unwanted chemicals left behind that can build up over time?

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

@jda what are your thoughts on it?

 

[jda]

You don't have any idea what is in NoPOX, so no idea what is left over. Vodka is mostly pure. Sugar is even more pure.

I only ever used organic carbon on a FOWLR and never on a reef... but it was fine. I have more than enough bacteria to handle the nitrate so never needed it.

 

[barista7105]

I've been VSV dosing for 5+ years now on sps dominant tank to keep the nutrient low and never have any problem, or maybe regular water change (10% every 2-3 weeks) also helps me. The issue when using alcohol is to ensure you are using ethanol based instead of methanol. Methanol is a poisonous chemical derived through synthetic processes, while commercial ethanol is produced by factory fermentation of food crops, hence ethanol should be safe since it is food grade.

 

[Cory]

Look up glenn f his tanks havent beennwater changed and use a vinegar/sugar mix for years.

 

[CDavmd]

You don't have any idea what is in NoPOX, so no idea what is left over. Vodka is mostly pure. Sugar is even more pure.

I only ever used organic carbon on a FOWLR and never on a reef... but it was fine. I have more than enough bacteria to handle the nitrate so never needed it.

Based on an NMR analysis of NoPoX it is ethanol and acetic acid (vinegar) diluted in RODI water.

I’ve used it for several years and before that was an early adopter of vodka dosing in reef systems. I never saw any issues unless overdosed. Overdosing will lead to bacterial slime on everything and if extreme will cause a nitrate/PO4 drop out which can result in a Dinos.