Vodka Dosing

blkhawk10 · Jul 9, 2012

I was just reading up on the subject and was curious how many people here actually use it? Have used it and stopped? and what differences they saw in their corals and tanks? From what I was reading the primary use is to lower nitrates and phosphates but, the pictures I saw of the corals before and after were amazing. The corals had a ton more color, better progressive growth, and simply looked outstanding.

Aquaph8 · Jul 9, 2012

I switched to vinegar. The whole point is lowering nitrates and phosphates to really low levels which in turn should give you better colors assuming everything else is nice and stable.

chort55 · Jul 9, 2012

I use both vinegar and vodka..... I was having issues with cyano w/ only vodka, but I don't have those issues now.

blkhawk10 · Jul 9, 2012

My nitrates and phosphates both say 0 so I don't have that problem, but I would like better color to my corals. Should I give it a shot and see what happens?

chort55 · Jul 9, 2012

If they are both 0 I dont really see it helping much and it would be kind of hard to cut your dosage to the maintenance levels when you see a decrease in those numbers

What are you using for lighting and do you dose anything else or feed high quality foods to your fish for higher quality poo (coral food)... do you dose 2 part or run a carbon reactor as those will also help growth/ coloration.

Aquaph8 · Jul 9, 2012

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-forum/72925-lets-talk-about-carbon-dosing.html

Go slow, it is possible to take it too far. Make sure you have a good skimmer, as bacteria levels increase they will use more and more oxygen. Also, its important to keep your alk at or below 8dkh.

robf · Jul 9, 2012

Don't bio pellets do the same thing as vodka? Isn't it also just a way of carbon dosing?

MIKE NY · Jul 9, 2012

I'm using vinagar also in my ATO with kalk....I can't use perfectly good alcohol in that way..LOL

HookedonSalt · Jul 9, 2012

we are talking vodka like... What im drinking right now?

robf · Jul 9, 2012

HookedonSalt said:
we are talking vodka like... What im drinking right now?

Yep. But don't worry. Your tank won't raid your wet bar when you are at work.

blkhawk10 · Jul 9, 2012

What are you using for lighting and do you dose anything else or feed high quality foods to your fish for higher quality poo (coral food)... do you dose 2 part or run a carbon reactor as those will also help growth/ coloration.

150 sunpod with a tru lumen led supplement, I dose ESV 2 part, feed high quality foods as far as I know, run carbon, and feed the corals every couple of days.

HookedonSalt · Jul 9, 2012

robf said:
Yep. But don't worry. Your tank won't raid your wet bar when you are at work.

If the wife says I drank to much last night there is nothing left in the bottle I can just let her know I dosed the tank!

tangs are awsome · Jul 9, 2012

I would think the fish would become very angry when the desired levels are reached and no more vodka is added to the system. I'll just keep them on the strait and narrow for now sounds a bit out there for my likings.

chort55 · Jul 9, 2012

blkhawk10 said:
150 sunpod with a tru lumen led supplement, I dose ESV 2 part, feed high quality foods as far as I know, run carbon, and feed the corals every couple of days.

Really I wouldn't mess with it sounds like your on the right track and doing the right things. IF you really want to get into it I would start slow and start with MB-7 before vinegar or vodka.... and definitely check out the link Aquaph8 linked on the 1st page

chort55 · Jul 9, 2012

tangs are awsome said:
I would think the fish would become very angry when the desired levels are reached and no more vodka is added to the system. I'll just keep them on the strait and narrow for now sounds a bit out there for my likings.

You clearly don't understand it as many don't.....