Who wants to answer a dunb question?

DrewBrees713 · Nov 23, 2018

I got enough LR , do a bi weekly WC, and a skimmer. But would like to add carbon(vin, sugar,vodka) to help with fish waste. Does carbon really break down fish waste?

Flippers4pups · Nov 23, 2018

DrewBrees713 said:
I got enough LR , do a bi weekly WC, and a skimmer. But would like to add carbon(vin, sugar,vodka) to help with fish waste. Does carbon really break down fish waste?

It reduces Nitrates through feeding bacteria. So, indirectly, yes.

nereefpat · Nov 23, 2018

I would only look into carbon dosing if you have elevated nitrates and phosphates, and, arguably, algae problems.

What are your nitrate and phosphate readings?

DrewBrees713 · Nov 23, 2018

Trates 10
Po4 .06

No algae problem. Inhave macro algae in the sump, just wanna add something to reduce fish waste/bioload.

DrewBrees713 · Nov 23, 2018

Flippers4pups said:
It reduces Nitrates through feeding bacteria. So, indirectly, yes.

Then how come when i added carbon to another tank it didnt cycle anybfaster. ? Just curious

Scurvy · Nov 23, 2018

Carbon Dosing (Vodka, NoPox) is feeding the bacteria that break down Nitrate/Phosphate. By dosing you increase population of bacteria thus reducing N&P.

Carbon the media will help clean your water of impurities or contaminants but has little to no affect on nitrate and phosphate. No real relationship to a “cycle”.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 23, 2018

DrewBrees713 said:
Then how come when i added carbon to another tank it didnt cycle anybfaster. ? Just curious

What kind of carbon? Organic or inorganic?

DrewBrees713 · Nov 23, 2018

Vinegar vodka sugar

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 23, 2018

Organic.

Flippers4pups · Nov 23, 2018

Nitrosomonas species (among others) convert ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (N02-), while Nitrobacter species (among others) convert nitrite to nitrate (NO3-). Thus, cycling the tank refers to the process of establishing bacterial colonies in the filter bed that convert ammonia->nitrite->nitrates. Denitrification then happens and nitrogen is released into the atmosphere.

Feeding vodka feeds the bacteria after the Nitrobacter, but during cycling you need to feed the Nitrosomonas bacteria first in order to feed the Nitrobacter. Can't skip over the order and expect the cycle to establish.