Nopox, Diy Nopox or Vodka

[G Santana]

My nitrates have been climbing and I am tempted to dose in order to help control them. I have been pouring over threads and vids and I can't find a clear winner.
What is your preference and experience?!!!

I feed minimally as it is so I am going the carbon dosing route to help get them under control.

Any input is appreciated!!!
Thanks

 

[blaxsun]

Red Sea NOPOX.

 

[atomos]

After much review from our threads and others, I'm going with vodka dosing. I had NO3 at 28.1 ppm at the time I started dosing, then took a reading and NO3 was at 7.6 ppm.... I've made some adjustments to the dosing levels and now hover around 10ppm.

 

[G Santana]

After much review from our threads and others, I'm going with vodka dosing. I had NO3 at 28.1 ppm at the time I started dosing, then took a reading and NO3 was at 7.6 ppm.... I've made some adjustments to the dosing levels and now hover around 10ppm.

What did you start dosing at and did you increase the dosage prior to settling on an amount and what size is your tank?
Thanks

 

[G Santana]

Red Sea NOPOX.

Did you start with the recommended dosage or did you cut that in half?
How long before you saw reults?
Thanks

 

[SaltyT]

I use Nopox, works well for my tank. My nitrates were over 80 ppm when I started dosing 4 months ago and now I keep them between 10-20 ppm by dosing 10ml twice a week. My tank is 90gal and I feed heavy.
My nitrates currently:

 

[blaxsun]

Did you start with the recommended dosage or did you cut that in half?
How long before you saw reults?
Thanks

I started with half. Within a week or so, but it usually took a few weeks before really noticeable drops occurred.

 

[Duffer]

I went the route of vodka dosing, cheaper and had the same effect.. just be aware it will take some time

 

[G Santana]

I use Nopox, works well for my tank. My nitrates were over 80 ppm when I started dosing 4 months ago and now I keep them between 10-20 ppm by dosing 10ml twice a week. My tank is 90gal and I feed heavy.
My nitrates currently:

I had readings of 20 with Salifert, 3 weeks ago I got the Hanna HR and was floored to see my number at 40. That's when I started looking at my options.
Thanks for your input!!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

NoPOX not bad must you must monitor useage and dose as needed - ot as a safety measure

 

[G Santana]

I went the route of vodka dosing, cheaper and had the same effect.. just be aware it will take some time

What did you start dosing at?

 

[Pistondog]

Diy nopox after vodka.
125 total gallons, 4 ml daily keeps no3 at 5.
There also some talk that carbon dosing 'gut loads' bacteria with phosphate, which is easier for corals to uptake, vs phosphate directly.

 

[JNalley]

I tried Distilled White Vinegar before moving to NOPOX. 3 weeks and 0 change using the vinegar (although I was afraid to dose more, didn't wanna de-oxygenate my water). Switched to NOPOX, used the recommended dose, Nitrate went from ~30ppm to ~10ppm in 3-4 days. Now I dose when needed, don't have a Dosing pump, check my Nitrate about once every 3 days now that it's under control.

 

[TCoach]

I just started dosing vinegar to try and help with N03/PO4 control. Still in the first week, so we'll see what happens. I only have a 92 corner, so dosing vodka appeared to be sub ml amounts, and I can't dose that small with my doser. I'm dosing 16ml right now over 4 doses. I'll keep increasing by 4ml each increase since my doser min is 1 ml.

 

[G Santana]

Diy nopox after vodka.
125 total gallons, 4 ml daily keeps no3 at 5.
There also some talk that carbon dosing 'gut loads' bacteria with phosphate, which is easier for corals to uptake, vs phosphate directly.

I watched a video today from a guy who dosed his DIY Nopox at .1 ml per 25 gallons daily for 3 days, .2 for 4 days in the first week. Then increased the dose to .5 each week and doubled it weekly until he saw the levels drop to undetectable levels by his test kit then cut that final dose in half to be his daily dose.
I know none of thos is scientific but it seems plausible that you would dose until you saw downward movement and then stop and adjust the dosage.

 

[G Santana]

I just started dosing vinegar to try and help with N03/PO4 control. Still in the first week, so we'll see what happens. I only have a 92 corner, so dosing vodka appeared to be sub ml amounts, and I can't dose that small with my doser. I'm dosing 16ml right now over 4 doses. I'll keep increasing by 4ml each increase since my doser min is 1 ml.

I've never dosed for nitrates and this is all new to me, but my main concern with straight vinegar is that you have to also keep a close eye on PH and Alk.
Are you having any major swings with vinegar?
Thanks for your input!!!

 

[TCoach]

I've never dosed for nitrates and this is all new to me, but my main concern with straight vinegar is that you have to also keep a close eye on PH and Alk.
Are you having any major swings with vinegar?
Thanks for your input!!!

Not yet, but I'm keeping an eye on it. I also dose almost 2L of Kalk a day for my Alk/pH, and that has been good so far.

 

[Duffer]

What did you start dosing at?

work perfect for me

 

[jda]

To me, whatever. When I dosed in a FOWLR, I used sugar since it is cheap, pure and easy. They all work and they all might have some mild side effects, but if you need N down and your tank is not set up to handle it, then this is what you get.

I am not a huge fan of dosing in a reef tank, but as long as you don't cut back on import, raising export a bit is not always bad as long as you go SLOW and don't overdo it.

 

[Pistondog]

I watched a video today from a guy who dosed his DIY Nopox at .1 ml per 25 gallons daily for 3 days, .2 for 4 days in the first week. Then increased the dose to .5 each week and doubled it weekly until he saw the levels drop to undetectable levels by his test kit then cut that final dose in half to be his daily dose.
I know none of thos is scientific but it seems plausible that you would dose until you saw downward movement and then stop and adjust the dosage.

Right on, true with nopox, vinegar or vodka. 3 to 4 ml is my maintenance dose.