Vodka dose or Zeovit?

rickybrooks05 · Dec 8, 2015

I'm waiting to give one of these a try.. What are the pros and cons of each? Thanks for your advice!

erk · Dec 9, 2015

I vodka dose currently with my grow out tub. Once I get my tank setup, I'll add a Zeolite reactor. Whether you vodka dose or subscribe to Zeovit, you are essentially doing the same thing. With Zeovit, you are providing a growing spot for the bacteria. Vodka, the bacteria grows everywhere. Zeovit has a detailed instruction plan and a full line of products with an explanation on how they fit into the Zeovit method. You can use these same supplements with the vodka method. This is what I plan to do or at least get similar supplements when the time comes.

I currently dose 1.7ml of 80 proof vodka per day into a 25 gal tub. I have an air powered diy skimmer. This skimmer is much better than the SCA 301 I have and is half the size with less noise. Nutrients test at zero and the corals are growing crazy fast. Every Wednesday I dose Microbacter 7 as a bacteria source. Definitely need a good skimmer and need the bacteria source. If you don't dose a bacteria source, cyano will take advantage of the carbon source instead. This happened to me in the first week. Within a couple days of dosing MB-7, I could see a drastic decrease in cyano growth. Now I have none.

Whichever method you try or if you try to mix and match, just take it slow. Going too fast will kill your corals. And by slow, I mean it takes weeks. It took 4 weeks to get to dosing 1.7ml. I've dosed 1.7ml for 2.5 wks now. Depending on current nutrient levels, it could take awhile to start seeing a real change in the system. Know that in a high nutrient tank the bacteria growth can become unsightly. Just blow off the bacteria so it can get to the skimmer. I can keep going on and on about this subject, but I don't want to right a novel. Already wrote an essay it seems.

Pros:
Both methods are similar and effectively reduce nutrient levels
Once an established dosing schedule is attained, very easy to keep system balanced
Vodka is cheap
If you wanted an excuse to get a really nice skimmer, here is your chance

Cons:
Not a quick fix
Overdosing is easy to do and can have catastrophic effects
Zeovit materials are expensive
Will probably have to dose supplements once reaching "ULNS"
If you don't want to use a skimmer, too bad, you have no choice

Neutral?
Mg needs to be kept high and alk and calc kept at seawaterish levels once you reach ULNS