What stringy stuff in overflow box...likely from vodka dosing?

[AtlCPA]

I've searched this subject and was able to find a few posts on it, but not much on a diagnosis.

I started vodka dosing about a month ago and the tank looks great at this point. Corals looks the best they have in this tank (34 gallon frag tank). My red sea kit says nitrates are about 2.5 and phosphate about .01-.02, hardly detectable. One bad thing is my API nitrate test says nitrates are about 30, which I have to think is probably wrong, but who knows.

My overflow box does get pellets swept into it and they can't go down the drain to the sump until they degrade a little bit because of a screen on the drain pipe. I don't see this white stuff anywhere else in the tank.

I plan on cutting my dose back and probably need to watch how many pellets I'm feeding.

Anyone else had this issue? @Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Probably yes.

When you organic carbon dose, the bacteria that it is encouraging to grow have to be somewhere. Sometimes they are in obvious places, and sometimes not. It likely isn't any concern unless it actually plugs the overflow.

 

[AtlCPA]

thanks Randy.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Switching to a different organic source, such as vinegar, might eliminate the stuff in the overflow.