Vodka Dosing Questions

djbetterly · Mar 24, 2015

I just started vodka dosing yesterday and have a few more questions.

1. They say running GFO simultaneously isn't a detriment to vodka dosing, but whats the consensus? I just started and am running GFO at the same time, but I want to make sure I get the full benefits of vodka dosing.

2. When first starting with the dosing, at what point is it ok to do water changes again?

3. Will running carbon have any effect on the vodka?

4. Currently my PO4 level is around .05 (using an averaging method with Hanna ULR Tester).

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 24, 2015

1. Unless phosphate drops below levels where bacteria can thrive (which is likely below where you want to maintain it), GFO is fine to use. I use it with vinegar dosing. I wouldn't aim below 0.01 ppm.

2. Water changes can continue as usual.

3. Granular activated carbon will have no impact except bacteria may choose to grow on it, which is fine.

djbetterly · Mar 26, 2015

Thank you Randy.

So I just read about a beautiful tank on reefkeeping.com and something he mentioned got me curious.

Vodka has never been a long term option due to the STN that has caused on sps each time that I’ve tried it.

Why would vodka dosing cause this? Is there any way to prevent it from happening?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 26, 2015

djbetterly said:
Thank you Randy.

So I just read about a beautiful tank on reefkeeping.com and something he mentioned got me curious.

Why would vodka dosing cause this? Is there any way to prevent it from happening?

It has generally been mostly a theoretical concern that bacteria that cause problems (such as possibly infections that may cause STN) might be able to consume the ethanol in vodka (or acetate in vinegar, etc.) and hence grow to the point of causing a problem.

I've seen a very few cases where this may have happened, although placing the blame on the vodka for cause and effect is somewhat guesswork since people get similar problems without vodka.

I would say that once you have experienced a problem that you think might be related to this, I wouldn't keep trying because the same pathogenic bacteria may simply be hanging out in the tank waiting to grow again.

djbetterly · Mar 26, 2015

Ok, I'll continue with the dosing then. Thanks Randy!

stiky · Mar 27, 2015

You're talking to the man. What is spoken is gold. Haha. My.02. I ran gfo from the start and tapered off once leves dropped to nil. And I've had bacteria grow on carbon as well. I've had stn due to my ca reactor going stupid and alk levels above 12 for extended periods. You're in good hands.

djbetterly · Mar 27, 2015

Oh trust me, I value Randy's opinion. I've never posted as I always felt I'd be bothering Randy, or my question wasn't worthy. Thank you for chimining in...I always get wierded out when trying something new.

djbetterly · Apr 4, 2015

I'm probably over thinking this, but I figured I'd get a straight answer..if you run GFO while setting up Vodka dosing, will that give you an inaccurate dosing regimen given that GFO eventually gets exhausted? After my last water change I removed the GFO from my reactor and am now just running carbon. Of course within days the PO4 went up. I'm a bit concerned given I have a few pieces of SPS so I'm debating as to whether I should put the GFO back online.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 5, 2015

Phosphte levels will fluctuate when using GFO, as they will rise as the GFO gets depleted.

If the vodka dose determination is the concern, maybe base the vodka dosing more on nitrate?