Is there any reef tank evidence that selecting different carbon sources results in differential consumption of N and P?
What's the rationale behind thinking grain vodka is undesirable?
Hi Randy,
well, most proof of this is out of theories and experience and testing originated from medical researches. I spent quite some time on this subject when trying to find good carbon sources for marine bacteria. The medical research provides a lot of information about bacterial growth behavior and fueling sources.
We all know that good or bad bacteria acting similar to supplementing of carb sources. They grow! It's also known, that for whatever reason, Cyano bacteria strains populate much better by using Vodka than probiotic bacteria strains.
It's not a secret that white bacteria grow much better by supplementing more white sugar as ingredient of the carb source. Vinegar seems to be the better solution for the potential problem of overpopulating white bacteria and cyano to keep them in check. Amino acids (don't ask me which ones plz ) have a very positive influence on pathogenic bacteria growth as well on others!
So the message of the above is that apparently, depending on the sort of carb source, the individual bacteria types are been grown better then others by a certain carb source. So finding the right mix of carbs, of course heavily depending on the existing bacteria types and associated population will trigger the results of the bacteria biology in the tank after supplementing the carb source.
Certain bacteria prefer apparently different Nutrients, hence depending what strain you overpopulate via carb dosing, will results in either lower No3 or lower Po4, they do consume both but in significant different ratios. Hence you can end up with superlow nitrates or low phosphates at the end. Remember the term monoculture in the early days of the hobby. I personally use RI N/P reducing pellets for some time now and the effect on nitrate consumption is huge while Po4 is always insufficiently reduced, I just have to live with that fact by using this media as a carb source.
Pure Vodka, sugar mix takes care much better of Po4, but fuels too much Cyano strains. Message is that the carb source is having influence on the nutrient consumption ratio.
Then you have also all sorts of other bacteria that do not survive very long in marine environment in high populations, but clean your tank pretty quick until being outcompeted and starved, such as the bacteria used in some Dr.Tims and Vibrant etc.
But this is a different story.
Vodka !!!
Vodka is used as a carb source since decades now and came originally from the guys over in Europe such as Netherlands, Germany and East European countries.
Very successful story so far years back, was a milestone in the Aquarium hobby to use Vodka, VSV and some other crazy mixes. I think it made it's way over to the US through the U.K reefing community.
Anyways, Grain Vodka is actually not real traditional Vodka.
Grain Vodka is called "Korn" or "Schnaps" in Europe and we would not use that for carb supplement. The traditional Vodka is made from Potatoes hence the ugly taste. When I bought my first Vodka here in the US to mix it in the tank I was surprised about the taste and started to realize this isn't real Vodka.
Well, long story short, it works to some extend but caused more Cyano issues, hence I used real Potato Vodka after I found it in stores. Gave better results but still Cyano issues on the long run even with different ratios mixed with Sugar and vinegars.
The best and easiest results as a carbon source I had with Pohl's Zeostart.
Pohl never revealed his ingredients in this concentrated product.
But would love to know what's in it!!!
So solving your P-limitation is all you may need in order to "fix" things.
