Vodka Dosing Plateau?

SteveMM62Reef · Dec 20, 2022

How do you know when you’ve reached the maintenances level on Vodka Dosing? For my Phosphates and Nitrates, I never detected any Phosphate and just a trace of Nitrates, before I started. The Hair Algae has greatly receded. I’m on my 45th day of Vodka Dosing, with the weekly increases in Vodka. Couple of observations, my Skimmer Cups need more frequent cleanings and I only get a day or two, before my 200 Micron Filter Socks are overflowing. Except on my Aquarium that has the LifeReef Skimmer and UV. That Filter Sock is actually on a bypass, only part of the water goes through that sock, before returning to the tank.

Jekyl · Dec 20, 2022

If nitrate and phosphate are barely detectable why are you dosing? Bottoming out can cause more issues

SteveMM62Reef · Dec 20, 2022

Hair Algae was feeding on something, and taking over. Vodka was suggested by a fellow hobbyist to try that before using using Reef Flux, which would wipe out my desirable Macros and possibly damage my Corals. So far pleased with the results.

Jekyl · Dec 20, 2022

SteveMM62Reef said:
Hair Algae was feeding on something, and taking over. Vodka was suggested by a fellow hobbyist to try that before using using Reef Flux, which would wipe out my desirable Macros and possibly damage my Corals. So far pleased with the results.

How old of a tank? Algae is a normal part of the maturing process. By bottoming out your nutrients you're inviting dinos which is a new problem.

TokenReefer · Dec 20, 2022

If I was dosing vodka to bring levels down to deal with algae (by encouraging nitrifying bacteria growth via carbon dosing) I would stop once the levels were where I wanted them, manually remove any remaining algae I could get to (let snails/crabs eat the rest) and see if my corals take over controlling/consuming those nutrients. Also adjust skimming wetter/dryer depending. Just my .02

SteveMM62Reef · Dec 20, 2022

90 Gallon was the Original Aquarium, set up March 1, 1999. Present Live Rock, purchased in Florida Summer of 2001, brought up submerged. October 8, 2018, moved everything to 30 Gallon and 45 Gallon, with some new and old Gravel. Original Live Rock Moved. 65 Gallon set up August 24, 2019. Added new Gravel and moved Gravel and Original Live Rock. 120 Gallon set up on June 27, 2022. Been transferring over Original Live Rock, seeded Gravel with Gravel from 65 Gallon, been adding Corals, Snails, Hermits, Fish and Transferring Fish over slowly. So I’d say it’s old. Hair algae, got away from me when I got sick, this Summer.

Jekyl · Dec 20, 2022

SteveMM62Reef said:
90 Gallon was the Original Aquarium, set up March 1, 1999. Present Live Rock, purchased in Florida Summer of 2001, brought up submerged. October 8, 2018, moved everything to 30 Gallon and 45 Gallon, with some new and old Gravel. Original Live Rock Moved. 65 Gallon set up August 24, 2019. Added new Gravel and moved Gravel and Original Live Rock. 120 Gallon set up on June 27, 2022. Been transferring over Original Live Rock, seeded Gravel with Gravel from 65 Gallon, been adding Corals, Snails, Hermits, Fish and Transferring Fish over slowly. So I’d say it’s old. Hair algae, got away from me when I got sick, this Summer.

Manual removal, ensuring proper CuC, dosing live phyto are the methods I would be using. If nutrients are already low, nopox dosing wouldn't even be a consideration for me.