Vodka or vinegar dosiing

[sergifed91]

I got my skimmer fine tuned now. Although I don't have a sump. I have a HOB skimmer. what are the advantages of vodka/ vinegar dosing?

 

[1MCp]

From what I hear and see, dosing vodka should be done very carefully and measured to fit the right ratio.

 

[madweazl]

I got my skimmer fine tuned now. Although I don't have a sump. I have a HOB skimmer. what are the advantages of vodka/ vinegar dosing?

Typically used to decrease nitrate levels; what are you hoping to achieve through dosing?

 

[sergifed91]

Typically used to decrease nitrate levels; what are you hoping to achieve through dosing?

I'm hoping to decrease my nitrate levels a little more than what they are right now. I want to get them down to 10 ppm. and not 40 ppm. without a major water change.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Carbon dosing is used to decrease both nitrates and phosphates by promoting bacterial growth. The bacteria "consume" the nitrates and phosphates (and the carbon source), in the process of growing and dividing, and then they are removed by your skimmer. If either the nitrate or phosphate drops to zero, that will stall the removal of the remaining compound.....need both for it to work. So typically you don't run things like GFO unless you have an imbalance.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

Nitrates are removed at a faster rate than phosphates, so typically nitrates will turn into the limiting factor. If you are content with you nitrate levels then carbon dosing will not yield any benefit for you.

 

[madweazl]

I'm hoping to decrease my nitrate levels a little more than what they are right now. I want to get them down to 10 ppm. and not 40 ppm. without a major water change.

Carbon dosing may be a good fit for what you're after than. I used vodka for a few months until my system started regulating nitrate levels on it's own and was pleased with the results.

 

[Peter K]

I have personally had better results dosing vinegar, Randy Holmes on this forum has some very helpful articles regarding the two and specific instructions. I have dosed both before and had more issues with cyano when dosing vodka, since I've switched to vinegar the cyano has completed disappeared after about 2 months and my nitrates stay stable around 3-5. It is also harder to overdose vinegar than it is vodka and you have more leniency in how much you can dose as well. Either way both will work once you dial them in, just my experience so far.